next up: advice about what girl to marry!

[Steve Jackson-5]

> But, what is the best key to start with -
> straight, iambic,
> non-iambic? or
> what. So many choices and I need advice.

I echo what Don said and might chime in with a few
other comments ... I hear SOOO many absolutely
dreadful fists these days, most with new 2x3 calls -
but not all!! ... I am simultaneously ecstatic about
the recent, rapid re-emergence of Morse activity ...
and appalled at the fact that most of these new hams
must have come to the mode sans Elmers and
straight-keys.

Code is (as far as the brain's processing center is
concerned) music, and all music has rhythm.  You don't
need a computer-aided drum to catch the beat when you
are first learning, and in fact, using one to start
with is probably a bad idea.

Invest in a top-grade straight key (such as the
Hi-Mound) and keep it for always ... and then add the
iambic after you are receiving above about 10-12 WPM.

Steve KZ1X/4


               
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[N2TK]

I would like to add my 2 cents on the subject. Having the opportunity to
being on the other end of the pileup periodically, it sometimes drives me
crazy trying to pull out a call because the CW is almost undecipherable. It
sure seems like the sender is using a straight key and hasn't mastered the
correct duration and rhythm of dits and dahs. It would probably be easier if
someone were having trouble with a straight key to switch to iambic keying.
At least the spacing and length of the dits and dahs would be correct.
I have been using an iambic keyer so long I would hate the thought of going
back to a straight key. I have seen some folks who can send great CW with a
straight key. But I would bet they are in the minority.

N2TK, Tony


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Steve Jackson
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 8:49 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] next up: advice about what girl to marry!

> But, what is the best key to start with -
> straight, iambic,
> non-iambic? or
> what. So many choices and I need advice.

I echo what Don said and might chime in with a few
other comments ... I hear SOOO many absolutely
dreadful fists these days, most with new 2x3 calls -
but not all!! ... I am simultaneously ecstatic about
the recent, rapid re-emergence of Morse activity ...
and appalled at the fact that most of these new hams
must have come to the mode sans Elmers and
straight-keys.

Code is (as far as the brain's processing center is
concerned) music, and all music has rhythm.  You don't
need a computer-aided drum to catch the beat when you
are first learning, and in fact, using one to start
with is probably a bad idea.

Invest in a top-grade straight key (such as the
Hi-Mound) and keep it for always ... and then add the
iambic after you are receiving above about 10-12 WPM.

Steve KZ1X/4



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[EricJ-2]

Steve,
I started with a straight key. In 1957, I think MOST hams used straight
keys. Most emerging novices couldn't afford more than a surplus J-38 and
there were only a few bugs available. Electronic keyers didn't clean up CW.
The percentage of bad fists on the air then with straight keys was about the
same as it is today with electronic keyers. They just offer different
opportunities to mangle the code.

I agree with Don that a straight key trains you to learn and appreciate
proper spacing if you have someone who can give you feedback. But I don't
necessarily agree that you should start there. Try them all. Find out what
suits you. They are all fun. But get someone to help you with the timing.

My main advice to anyone is to SLOW DOWN. Most of the bad fists with keyers
are because the dots are cranked up to 35 wpm and they are still struggling
to copy 15. There is a nameless ham on one of the several cw nets I am on
who has NEVER sent my call properly. His only consistency is a self standing
dah followed by a string of 7 dits for the 6 in my call. The rest of it is
so mangled I only know its for me is that I was the last one to send
something.

As for iambic vs non-iambic, I never saw the point of iambic. Any efficiency
from saving 2 microcalories in a 24 hour period somehow escapes me. But
let's not start that one again.

So I only have three pieces of advice. Use whatever key appeals to you.
Don't send faster than you can receive. The second marriage is the best one,
so get the first one out of the way.

Eric
KE6US
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[Mark Bayern-2]

On Apr 5, 2005 11:56 AM, EricJ <[hidden email]> wrote:
> .... There is a nameless ham on one of the several cw nets I am on
> who has NEVER sent my call properly. His only consistency is a self standing
> dah followed by a string of 7 dits for the 6 in my call.

Maybe he's sending six dits for the 6?  :)

Wonder what he'd do to my call?

Mark   AD5SS
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[David A. Belsley]

>
> Wonder what he'd do to my call?
>
> Mark   AD5SS

That's simple, Mark:  A6(error)H5, will probably do the trick.

best wishes,

dave belsley, w1euy

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[EricJ-2]

 
THAT would be SCARY!

Eric
KE6US

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Bayern [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 10:09 AM
To: EricJ
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] next up: advice about what girl to marry!

On Apr 5, 2005 11:56 AM, EricJ <[hidden email]> wrote:
> .... There is a nameless ham on one of the several cw nets I am on who
> has NEVER sent my call properly. His only consistency is a self
> standing dah followed by a string of 7 dits for the 6 in my call.

Maybe he's sending six dits for the 6?  :)

Wonder what he'd do to my call?

Mark   AD5SS
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[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

Eric, KE6US, wrote:

My main advice to anyone is to SLOW DOWN. Most of the bad fists with keyers
are because the dots are cranked up to 35 wpm and they are still struggling
to copy 15. There is a nameless ham on one of the several cw nets I am on
who has NEVER sent my call properly. His only consistency is a self standing
dah followed by a string of 7 dits for the 6 in my call. The rest of it is
so mangled I only know its for me is that I was the last one to send
something.

------------------------------

SPEED

Bugs (semi-automatic keys) came into use not because they were faster, but
because an operator could spend long hours at the key pounding out traffic
without getting a "glass arm" (today we'd call it tendonitis or carpel
tunnel syndrome or something like that). The smooth, side-to-side rolling
action of the operator's hand was much easier on the operator over time.

Indeed, many companies welded the weights in place on their bugs so the top
speed was about 15 wpm. They knew that slower and steadier got more words
per minute across over time.

Over the years some ops were lucky enough to work at stations where they
passed traffic only with certain other ops in a closed, point-to-point setup
and they were able to develop some pretty amazing speeds, but they were the
very small minority of all the commercial, military or government brass
pounders.

ACCURACY

One of the best tests I've ever used to see for myself whether I'm happy
with my CW is to record some stuff I sent and then play it back several days
later.

Another way to test one's own sending is to use a program like CWGET that
works on your computer to copy your fist. CWGET  *demands* near-perfect
spacing. If you can pound brass while it pumps out perfect copy, you've
nothing to apologize for to anyone, even if you're using two bare wires for
a 'key'. CWGET is shareware but you can download and use it for free from:
http://tinyurl.com/6q2zr

Along with accuracy in sending is flexibility in receiving. People have
accents at the key every bit as much as they do in speech, especially with a
manual key. Some of it is syntax - use of abbreviations and sentence
structure - but much of it is in subtle (and not so subtle) variations in
timing. So while good operators strive for accuracy in sending, they also
strive to develop flexibility in receiving. After all, if everyone sent
perfect, keyboard CW, we could all use a program like CWGet and forget the
code entirely. But we have other modes for that, and that's why I like CW.

Ron AC7AC

-


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[Thom LaCosta]

On Tue, 5 Apr 2005, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

>
> One of the best tests I've ever used to see for myself whether I'm happy
> with my CW is to record some stuff I sent and then play it back several days
> later.

I usually do that with a large piece of humble pie at the ready.

We used to train sales/customer service telehone folks by getting them to listen to
themselves on tape....you could see the winces, shudders and smiles.

73,Thom-k3hrn
www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,
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[Andrew Moore-4]

When I use the K2's XFIL button to change the filter bandwidth, the
pitch of the received signal changes slightly (+/- 10 kHz) from one to
the next.  What's the explanation?

Thanks,
--Andrew


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[zeke7237]

In a word ... D/A resolution

de John/W1RT

On Apr 5, 2005 3:19 PM, Andrew Moore <[hidden email]> wrote:

> When I use the K2's XFIL button to change the filter bandwidth, the
> pitch of the received signal changes slightly (+/- 10 kHz) from one to
> the next.  What's the explanation?
>
> Thanks,
> --Andrew
>
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[Don Wilhelm-3]

Andrew,

The K2 firmware attempts to maintain the pitch of a tuned signal, but is
limited to an accuracy of about 10 Hz due to the resolution of the D-A
conversions in the K2.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> When I use the K2's XFIL button to change the filter bandwidth, the
> pitch of the received signal changes slightly (+/- 10 kHz) from one to
> the next.  What's the explanation?
>
> Thanks,
> --Andrew
>
>

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[EricJ-2]

 I wouldn't mind a few more words explaining that as it applies to the K2.

Eric
KE6US

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John D'Ausilio
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 12:27 PM
To: Andrew Moore
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 xtal filters: pitch changes from one to next

In a word ... D/A resolution

de John/W1RT

On Apr 5, 2005 3:19 PM, Andrew Moore <[hidden email]> wrote:

> When I use the K2's XFIL button to change the filter bandwidth, the
> pitch of the received signal changes slightly (+/- 10 kHz) from one to
> the next.  What's the explanation?
>
> Thanks,
> --Andrew
>
> _______________________________________________
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>

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[Vic K2VCO]

W3FPR - Don Wilhelm wrote:

> The K2 firmware attempts to maintain the pitch of a tuned signal, but is
> limited to an accuracy of about 10 Hz due to the resolution of the D-A
> conversions in the K2.

Forgive me if you've seen this before, but it IS possible to align the K2 so
that there is no pitch change when changing filters:

You can eliminate the pitch change if you don't mind changing the filter
bandwidth slightly.  For example, suppose that you have set a filter to 400 Hz
bandwidth and located the BFO so that the signal is centered in the filter, and
suppose that the result is that the pitch of the centered signal comes out 10
Hz. high.  Just change the bandwidth to 420 (or 380) Hz., readjust the BFO to
re-center the signal and let the K2's magic algorithm do its work.  Chances are
it will come out on pitch.  I have been able to adjust all of my filters so that
there is no change in pitch when I cycle through them.

--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco

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[Don Wilhelm-3]

Eric,

The best explaination I know of can be found on the Elecraft website in the
Builder Resources section - 'A Detailed Example of the mechanics behind CAL
FIL' - or for a direct link
http://www.elecraft.com/Apps/new_fil_docs/CAL_FIL_mechanics.htm.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----

>
>  I wouldn't mind a few more words explaining that as it applies to the K2.
>
> Eric
> KE6US
>


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[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

-----Original Message-----
 I wouldn't mind a few more words explaining that as it applies to the K2.

Eric
KE6US

---------------------------

The beat note you hear is determined by the exact local oscillator (l.o.)
and beat frequency oscillator (bfo) frequencies. The local oscillator tuning
is what you are adjusting by spinning the main tuning knob. The beat
frequency oscillator frequency is set when you did the filter alignment. As
you select various filter bandwidths, the bfo frequency must change to keep
the signal centered within the filter bandpass.

These oscillators are tuned by analog voltages that are applied to
voltage-variable capacitors in the l.o. and bfo. Changing the voltage
changes the oscillator frequency.

When you ran CAL PLL you caused the K2 to measure and record the l.o.
frequencies across its tuning range and record them in memory. It's called
CAL PLL, not CAL L.O., because the local oscillator uses a phase-locked loop
(PLL). Recall that you put the test probe in a test point on the RF board
before you ran CAL PLL. That test point allowed the logic circuits in the K2
to measure the l.o. frequency. CAL PLL then applied tuning voltages to the
local oscillator and measured the frequency produced for various tuning
voltages applied. The process created a table of voltages and frequencies in
the K2's memory that can be referenced whenever needed to tune the K2 to a
specific frequency. That is, if you spin the knob to 14,036.96 kHz, the
logic can look up the data and determine what tuning voltage must be applied
to the l.o. to tune in that frequency.

The same thing happens with the bfo. As you change filter bandwidths, the
bfo frequency needed to produce the exact audio tone (or SSB quality) you
want changes. So you run CAL FIL with the probe in a test point that
measures the bfo frequencies. When you center up each filter bandpass using
Spectrogram, you are adjusting the BFO frequency. When you switch away from
that setting in CAL FIL, the logic records the voltage needed to produce
that bfo frequency again. When you select that filter position in operation,
the logic supplies the necessary voltage to put the bfo on the frequency you
determined was correct when you ran CAL FIL.

The shift in tones you sometimes hear is caused by the accuracy with which
these frequencies, and the voltages needed to produce them, are stored and
recalled. The analog tuning voltage is measured by the logic and converted
into a digital number. That digital number is what is stored in memory. When
the tuning voltage is needed again, the logic looks up the proper number,
and converts this back into a tuning voltage level needed by either the
local oscillator or the beat frequency oscillator.

The conversion between the digital number and the analog tuning voltage
needed is by logic circuits called Analog-to-Digital Converters or DACs. The
accuracy of the conversion is determined by the DACs. Greater accuracy
requires longer digits. For example, if you measured a dry cell with a DMM
having one digit it might report 1-volt. If your DMM has two digits, it
might report 1.2v. If it has three digits, it might report 1.21v and so on.
Greater accuracy requires a greater number of digits and a greater number of
digits requires more memory to store all the numbers needed.

Elecraft chose an accuracy that can allow a small error in the tuning
voltage when it is re-created in the interest of avoiding huge demands on
memory. Ten or 20 Hz errors are common, although various ops will tell you
different ways that you can reduce this to, apparently, zero.

People often ask, "Why, if my dial says 14036.96 kHz, doesn't the logic put
it exactly on that frequency?" It's important to realize that the frequency
you see on the LCD is *not* the measured frequency. It is the *requested*
frequency. You select a filter and then spin the dial to, say 14036.96 kHz.
The logic circuits look up the digital values for the tuning voltages needed
for the l.o. and bfo to tune in the K2 to that frequency using the filter
you selected. These digital values go to the DACs who then produce analog
voltages that are sent to the oscillators.

The accuracy of the dial, therefore, is determined by the accuracy of the
DACs and the stability of the oscillators since you ran CAL FIL or CAL PLL.

Another point of confusion often comes up when ops try to "tweak" their bfo
frequencies to compensate for this error while listening to a signal. The
bfo and l.o. frequencies interact in a way that makes the bandpass appear to
shift instead of the beat frequency change. That's why it's necessary to do
CAL FIL using one of the techniques described in the manual or on the
Elecraft web site. If you're interested in the nitty-gritty behind the
clever way the l.o. and bfo frequencies interact, there's a paper on the
Elecraft web site describing this process called "The Mechanics Behind CAL
FIL".

Ron AC7AC




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