Slow code, etc
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I remember reading the results of a poll on K3WWP's website that indicated
about 1/3 of cw folks used keyboards. I wonder if during contests if you may have a higher percentage on keyboard making it a bit more difficult to slow down (change settings) for the slower operators? I sort of like my CW drawl and probably won't change much in the next few years. But are many of you changing to keyboards? Alan KB7MBI Woodinville, WA _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I operated SSB and CW about 50/50 in Field Day this year. Logging
program was v9.x of CT, however I normally use N1MM Logger. Other than not being familiar with some of the commands and some of the nice things I'm used to with N1MM Logger, CT, although quite basic (this was the DOS version, not sure if there is a Windoze version of CT), seemed to work okay. When I took over the controls I noticed the previous operator had labels on the keyboard to make things very well understood what each function key would do (although I still didn't know how to go back and edit a QSO if necessary, but normal operating was easy). They also had Bencher paddles and an MFJ memory keyer connected in parallel with the serial (or LPT) port keying to the K2. I could easily slow down from the initial 24 WPM using Alt-F9 or speed up a bit for some faster ops using Alt-F10, but I think only once I heard a station that I needed to slow down to about 16 WPM, I generally ran at a nice comfortable 20 WPM, sometimes 22. It seemed most operators that came back to my CQ matched my speed pretty well. When I was searching & pouncing I noticed most operators were within a few WPM of about 22 WPM fairly consistently, with a couple running probably around 30 WPM. I did find it easy & quick to adjust the WPM using ALT-F9/F10. However, I found it much harder to adjust things due to my unfamiliarity of the MFJ keyer. There was a speed knob on it but it didn't seem to have any affect. I forget the model number/name of the keyer, but it has a matrix of functions, selecting maybe 4 or 5 levels down and I think 5 across for various functions. I found I couldn't send at all (even though the first thing I sent initially was TEST de W3GS and was able to send that okay), but trying to send things "iambically" didn't work, such as "CQ". I guess the previous operator preferred a single lever paddle, even though it was his Bencher paddles. Once I turned Iambic "ON" and then set it for either type A or B, I forget which, but it is the one I'm used to and the one that works for me, I was in business, but I still don't know why there is a speed knob on the keyer that didn't seem to work at all, and at 2 AM I wasn't about to fuddle through other menus on the front panel to try to set the speed when the knob should just work. I had fun anyway, though and hope to do more CW in FD next year. This past year of operating almost exclusively CW brought back the code to nearly the proficiency I once had in my "youth" as a teenager and 20-something. Now, almost double that age & too many distractions in life I'm happy to plod along anywhere from 16 to 25 WPM. [hidden email] wrote: > I remember reading the results of a poll on K3WWP's website that indicated > about 1/3 of cw folks used keyboards. I wonder if during contests if you may > have a higher percentage on keyboard making it a bit more difficult to slow > down (change settings) for the slower operators? > > I sort of like my CW drawl and probably won't change much in the next few > years. But are many of you changing to keyboards? > > Alan KB7MBI > Woodinville, WA > > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by ARDUJENSKI
In a message dated 6/26/06 6:13:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[hidden email] writes: > I remember reading the results of a poll on K3WWP's website that indicated > > about 1/3 of cw folks used keyboards. They didn't ask me! I don't use a keyboard for Morse. I wonder if during contests if you may > > have a higher percentage on keyboard making it a bit more difficult to slow > down (change settings) for the slower operators? Contest keyboard operation is really all about using the function keys for various parts of the exchange and logging. On FD this year at N3NZ we used N3FJP's FD software (insert standard disclaimer HERE) and changing speed was a matter of the up and down arrow keys. > > I sort of like my CW drawl and probably won't change much in the next few > years. Keyboards have their place - I know some older and disabled hams who can't really use a key well anymore, but a keyboard lets them operate CW. That's a good thing. But are many of you changing to keyboards? > > Not until I have to! I actually find it easier to use a bug. After 32 years, all I have to do is think about what I want to send and it comes out of the Vibroplex. Or at least it seems that way. 73 de Jim, N2EY _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by ARDUJENSKI
Alan and others:
Personally, I never use a keyboard on the air. I type with only one finger (and have no interest in learning to type with all ten), and I'd make too many mistakes trying to use a keyboard under the stress of on-the-air operating. Where a keyboard is useful is in programming the messages into a memory keyer. The other reason I prefer keyer paddles is that my hand sending ability is fairly hard earned, and I do not want to lose it. I do not know how many operators used keyboards on Field Day, but everybody seemed to be going the normal 20-22 wpm that one typically hears. We did have one instance of a FD operator slowing down in response to a slow call from one of our GOTA operators. Why didn't they call slow CQs and hope for slow answers? They were using an antenna only 20 feet up, and did not have a very strong signal. The chances of their CQ standing out in the din were not great. All our GOTA contacts were "search and pounce." I've had quite a few very constructive suggestions from list members of how to find people with whom to make slow contacts. I am very appreciative of the information, and will pass it on to the people who need it. Our FD operation was class 2F. We operated from the local chapter of the Red Cross (our club does quite a few emergency exercises, and real emergency operations in cooperation with the Red Cross). There is a permanent ham station (along with a great deal of non-ham comm gear) in the comm room of the chapter house, and we used that as the GOTA station. The GOTA station made about 60 QSOS mostly on SSB. As mentioned before, the CW was just too fast for our GOTA operators. We lashed up three temporary stations in a chapter house conference room. One of our two transmitters was set up for PSK on 40 and 20 m; it made about 120 PSK contacts, with 100 of those being made by a 12 year old ham. The other transmitter was a regular SSB/CW rig operating on 80/40/20 m; on that one we made about 420 QSOs, about 280 on CW and 140 on SSB. (Curiously, we did not make a single QSO on 75 m SSB.) We also ran an "extra VHF" station on 6m and had about 60 QSOS on SSB and a handful on 6m CW. Remarkably, our PSK operation scored more points than our SSB operation. We set up the lashup configuration in about 4 hours, including the installation of antennas (in the rain, naturally). It also took about an hour to knock it down, and put the site back into pristine condition. Some traditionalists may look askance at an F class FD operation. Can you do a real Field Day indoors? Absolutely! In a real emergency, we do not set up out in the woods; we converge at the Red Cross and coordinate operations from there. Our F class FD operation is just like the sort of temporary lashup that we'd put together in a real emergency. We had several emergency response officials and several elected officials including the Chair of the Homeland Security Committee for the Maine House visit the site, and they were all very impressed with how smoothly everything was running. It was the best FD we ever had. 73, Steve AA4AK At 06:13 PM 6/26/2006, [hidden email] wrote: >I remember reading the results of a poll on K3WWP's website that indicated >about 1/3 of cw folks used keyboards. I wonder if during contests if you may >have a higher percentage on keyboard making it a bit more difficult to slow >down (change settings) for the slower operators? > >I sort of like my CW drawl and probably won't change much in the next few >years. But are many of you changing to keyboards? > >Alan KB7MBI >Woodinville, WA > > > >_______________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Post to: [hidden email] >You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by ARDUJENSKI
Not me - Bruce. 72/73 - Bruce ve5rc/ve5qrp - QRP-C#1, QRP-L#886, A1 Operator Enter QRP-Canada's "RUN with RAC" contest - details - http://www.qrp-canada.com -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email] Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 4:13 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] Slow code, etc I remember reading the results of a poll on K3WWP's website that indicated about 1/3 of cw folks used keyboards. I wonder if during contests if you may have a higher percentage on keyboard making it a bit more difficult to slow down (change settings) for the slower operators? I sort of like my CW drawl and probably won't change much in the next few years. But are many of you changing to keyboards? Alan KB7MBI Woodinville, WA _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- ---------------------------------------- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 1959 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Stephen W. Kercel
Stephen W. Kercel wrote:
> I do not know how many operators used keyboards on Field Day, but > everybody seemed to be going the normal 20-22 wpm that one typically hears. > > We did have one instance of a FD operator slowing down in response to a > slow call from one of our GOTA operators. I called CQ at around 27 wpm. I responded to answers at their own speed, if it was significantly different from mine. The slowest call I got was about 13 wpm, and I responded at a similar speed. One guy apparently couldn't get my call, and just sent PSE QRS. I did, and we made the QSO. Most contest programs make it very easy to change speed. I think it's good code practice to enter contests where operators are sending too fast for your comfort level. Just pick a strong CQer and listen for as long as it takes to get his call. Then call him at a slower speed. If he doesn't slow down enough for you to copy the exchange, just go AGN? He'll slow down; he wants the points! -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by ARDUJENSKI
Hi Alan
Yes, I use a keyboard during contests, but not for sending conversational sentences. In a contest, the exchange is pretty cut and dried, and lends itself to computer use. I have all my exchange info stored under various F-keys within my TR-LOG contest logging program. For regualr conversation, I still use my paddles, as it's too much trouble to bother with the keyboard. 73, Bob N6WG ----- Original Message ----- From: <[hidden email]> To: <[hidden email]> Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 3:13 PM Subject: [Elecraft] Slow code, etc > I remember reading the results of a poll on K3WWP's website that indicated > about 1/3 of cw folks used keyboards. I wonder if during contests if you may > have a higher percentage on keyboard making it a bit more difficult to slow > down (change settings) for the slower operators? > > I sort of like my CW drawl and probably won't change much in the next few > years. But are many of you changing to keyboards? > > Alan KB7MBI > Woodinville, WA > > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by ARDUJENSKI
On Jun 26, 2006, at 6:13 PM, [hidden email] wrote: > I sort of like my CW drawl and probably won't change much in the > next few > years. But are many of you changing to keyboards? During contests, I always let the computer generate the CW, even sometimes using the keyboard feature, although I'll occasionally reach for the paddles. The computer can send faster and more accurately than I can. Keyboards aren't a new phenomenon. I remember being active in a slow- speed traffic handling net in the late 70s and one of the net controls was a blind ham who would regularly do 40+ wpm with a keyboard. It was funny to listen to him close the net at 5 wpm, then crank it up to 40 wpm a minute later. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email] Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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