Transcript WannaTryCW

So I decided to try CW
Why?
 How?
 Morse Machine
 RufzXP
 Just Learn Morse Code
 Morse Runner
 G4FON Koch Trainer
 CWCom
 MorseCat
 Begali CW Machine
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Why
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5 Dx stations on CW for every SSB on 17m
Less Bandwidth
Less power
Wanted to prove that I can.
Says something about perseverance and
dedication
CW & Antennas are likely the most
discussed topics.
How long will it take?
How - Tools
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Software.
Rx only initially
Every program had a specific strong
point for me.
All S/W in this discussion is free.
Sending is Easy – or so they say.
CWCom for sending feedback
How - Technique
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Learn single chars first.
Recognize sound of char.
Verify correctness initially
Continuous copy.
Short chars easy to learn but difficult during
continuous copy.
Copy on paper
Copy in head
I always copy call on paper. (even for voice)
Avoid “auto complete”
Morse Machine
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Pro’s
 Good to get started
 Char training only.
Cons
 No audible error indication
 Chars not totally selectable.
 No space distinction.
RufzXP
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Rufzeichen-Hören
50 calls with top score.
Calls only – no words.
Pro’s
 Speeds up
Cons
 Not learning the space between words.
 Tend to predict the numeric.
Just Learn Morse Code
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Can define what chars
Used extensively to practice 5/h
Hear and see to learn
Hear and type to test
Good for learning letters
Shows correct percentage feedback
G4FON Koch Trainer
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Good for words / QSO etc.
Simulates various real world
conditions:
Signal strength
 Noise Level
 QSB
 Chirp
 … more
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Morse runner
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Simulates Contest
Simulates band conditions.
Simultaneous calls
QRM
Call and seq no.
Morse Cat 2.0
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Does char training
Lessons
Expert mode allows fine tuning
Simulated calls
Copy on paper and check
Sending check training no longer
available.
MFJ-418 Pocket Code Tutor
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Portable
Typical MFJ quality.
Quality deteriorated on
later models.
Letters, Words, QSO’s
etc.
Interactive or continuous.
Farnsworth timing.
Words & QSO somewhat
outdated
Sending
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Always start with straight key
20 WPM seems to be average high end for
straight key.
Move on to paddle or bug.
Most folks seems to use dual paddles.
Verify “fist” with CWCom or Begali
Begali CW machine
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Top of the line Keyer
$300 + Software
Tutor
Logger
Interfaces with PC
Interfaces with Keyboard.
Interfaces with straight
Key or Paddle.
CWCOM
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Like AIM with CW
Supports straight key and paddle
through serial port
Special characters can be defined
Timing
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(copied from ZART)
Dot is the base unit of measure
A dit is the sound of one dot
followed by the silence of one dot.
A daah, the sound of a dash, is 3
dots long followed by the silence of
one dot.
The space between letters is 3
dots.
The space between words is 7
dots.
Measuring speed
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(copied from ZART)
Based on the word: PARIS
P: 11 dots + 3 letter spacing.
A: 5 dots + 3 letter spacing.
R: 7 dots + 3 letter spacing.
I: 3 dots + 3 letter spacing
S: 5 dots.
Total: 50 dots (including the word
space at the end).
The First QSO
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Listen on the air to get a feel for the structure of the typical QSO.
Listen to hear that other folks make mistakes.
Listen to hear that there are many slow QSO’s
Become familiar with the abbreviations e.g. fer, fb
Become familiar with the prosigns KN, AR, SK etc.
Prepare a template QSO that you can copy from.
Practice the template with CWCom.
Get an Elmer for the first one. .
Terminology
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THX FB QSO
WX ES SUNNY ES WINDY ES ABT 60F
RST 579 57N
SIGS 599 5NN
CUAGN
HW NW? or HW?
HW CPY NW?
INVERTED VEE
BTU
Typical QSO
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TNX FER CALL OM =
UR RST 599 5NN =
NAME IS SEBASTIAN SEBASTIAN =
QTH IS LONGMONT, CO LONGMONT, CO =
BTU <call> DE NS0W
OK GREAT <name> =
RIG IS ICOM RNG 50W TO VERTICAL ANTENNA =
SO HW CPY <name>?
OK <name> =
THX FOR FB QSO AND WAS VY NICE TO MEET U =
ALL THE BEST FRM CO ES 73 73 =
Straight Key – GHD GT501MIL
Straight Key – Junker DBGM
Web resources
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General CW hints
 http://www.netwalk.com/~fsv/CWguide.htm
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http://www.fists.org/basiccw.html
Online Books (ZART: Zen & the Art of Radiotelgraphy):
 http://www.qsl.net/ik0ygj/enu/index.html
Online Books (The Art & Skill of Radiotelgraphy):
 http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm
Learning CW (Begali CW Machine)
 http://www.i2rtf.com/docs/LearningCW.pdf
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http://zs6ez.org.za/tutorial/cw-qso.htm
Software resources
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Morse Machine:
 http://www.g4ilo.com/morse-machine.html
RufzXP
 http://www.rufzxp.net
Just Learn Morse Code
 http://www.justlearnmorsecode.com
Morse Runner
 http://www.dxatlas.com/MorseRunner
G4FON Koch Trainer
 http://www.g4fon.net
Morse Cat
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http://www.morsecat.de/index.html
CWCom
 http://www.mrx.com.au/d_cwcom.htm