[CW] Newbie

Sun, 28 Jul 2002 17:50:52 -0400

Hi, Scott--

I agree George that there is a benefit to listening quite a bit before
learning to send.  This is to acquaint one with the rhythm of the code.  It
is not necessary to fully learn to receive before learning to send, but it
helps to be mostly there.  There are different mental processes involved
with sending and receiving.  I made the error of learning to send first,
even though I had heard enough code to know the rhythm, and it caused me
trouble because I memorized the dots and dashes to send.

It is important to learn to send on the straight key first.  This is to
impart the rhythm of the code to the body.  This cannot be done if learning
is done on an electronic keyer.  I am rather old-school in this but believe
it is important to move to a bug prior to any move to an electronic keyer --
again to enhance the body rhythm.  The old operators told me there were
several plateaus in learning code.  First was when I could no longer write
as fast as I could send code -- that was the time to lay down the pencil and
just listen.  The second was when I could copy faster than I could send -
that was the time to take up the bug.

Later I got an electronic keyer in the days before the dual-lever, "iambic"
keyers.  Even later I tried the iambic keying but the more I practiced, the
worse I got with the thing.  My experience is not unique but there are many
who seem to like the iambic stuff.  For a long time I didn't use the bug
again and when I tried I thought I had lost the ability.  A friend suggested
I use only the bug for a month and told me that I would then be able to
switch between the keyer and the bug.  That worked!  Then another friend
suggested I take up the sideswiper key (also called the "Cootie" key).  I
used the same one month rule, using only the sideswiper.  At the end of that
month I could switch between any of them.  It's kinda fun to be able to do
that.

For anyone interested, a great article on how to use the sideswiper by Jerry
L. Bartachek KD�CA can be seen at the following URL:
http://www.qsl.net/n0uf/cootie.htm

A friend and I collaborated on design of a homemade sideswiper and he
fabricated the final product for me.  You can see a photo of it at the
following URL:  http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=n4nt

The neatest thing about CW is that all the people you talk with know how to
read and write.

73, Mike N4NT

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On
Behalf Of G.E. Tucker
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2002 4:59 PM
To: scott; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [CW] Newbie

Pierpont recommends listening to well formed code (e.g. from a tape or
program) a while before trying to send, so as to know better how the letters
are supposed to sound. Otherwise you can pick up bad habits. But at some
point you should start learning to send.

I used a J-38 straight key to learn, and also recommend it. You will need
some kind of oscillator with it.

I now use a Bencher keyer on the air; it's really necessary for higher
speeds, but think everyone should have basic straight key skills too.

73, George W5VU

----- Original Message -----
From: scott <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2002 10:43 AM
Subject: Re: [CW] Newbie

> Many thanks to everyone for the good advice on learning the code.  And
yes,
> I want to learn code for on the air use and not to just get my license.  I
> really have no interest in voice operation.  The thrill in ham radio seems
> to be in making the contact and telegraphy (in my opinion).
> Question:  I probably should be learning and developing my key pounding
> skills and practicing sending the letters on a key as I learn them.  Does
> this make sense?  What would be a good quality key to get?  Any guidance
> would be appreciated.
>
> Scott