[Fwd: Re: [CW] Dumb down not justified]

[Gregory W. Moore]

GM (0003 EDT), DR

I couldn't agree with you more.  I can't handle more than about 22 tops  
not for long, and  not so good, with a straight key, simply because I've 
always used a bug for speed, and a straight key if I was simply working 
traffic, and didn't need to do a lot of fast replies.  In addition, 
since my professional days (as DR knows) were in the Navy, there were a 
lot of operating positions because of the necessity to keep multiple 
frequencies up simultaneously. These, incidentally were known as "LOPS) 
(Local Operating Positions).  Moving one's bug back and forth between 
positions, especially if some of the positions had enclosed keys, which 
required either that one's bug have a Phone plug (there was a jack just 
to the right and in front of the key for this exact use, or some 
judicious rewiring to allow one's bug to be connected, as well as a 
transmitter control switch and light ( I will post a pix of this up on 
my site SAP), was sort of problematic sometimes, so one just used the 
key that was there. 
    Like you, DR, I can't write out 25, I have to use a mill, but again, 
that's probably a result of my training and experience.
The above being said, I have had a "glass arm" for years, which wasn't 
helped by some nerve damage due to an auto accident, so, I am sorry to 
report, that my straight key sending is not as great as it once was.  
Using a bug or an electronic keyer works fine (Thanks, ICOM for 
installing that neat keyer in your PRO series), I use a Vibrokeyer for 
the e-key, and my old, faithful, Navy-issue Lightning Bug 
interchangeably, with a J38 beside both.
    I have been trying to obtain a good mill for years, but seems as if 
there is another "MIB" unit dedicated to rooting out and vaporizing all 
the telegraphers mills in existence. Again, thanks Dave, for the 
"Telegraphers Mill Font", even though the key feel isn't the same ;-)

Incidentally, it's perfectly correct to be able to send much faster than 
one can copy, If YOU are thinking of the characters, the reaction time 
is much less than the short delay when one is COPYING the sending.  You 
already know what you are going to send, so the muscle memory is already 
in play before you touch a key. You don't know what you are going to 
hear (no antcipating words allowed here ;-). You also have to be able to 
figure out the other person's fist and their own personal quirks, as 
well as the vagaries of the transmitterm as well as having to fool with 
tuning, etc on the reciever (we are NOT talking about ICOM  PRO series 
here, we are talking boatanchors).  Anyhow, all that takes time, not a 
lot, but enough that your recieve speed is slower than one's ability to 
send.
I see no problem here about "sending faster than you can copy", heck, 
anyone can do that....
73 de Greg WA3IVX /NNN0BVN

David J. Ring Jr - N1EA wrote:

>While on the subject of speed, I've seen a couple of references to something
>like "I could send 30 WPM but only copy 20 WPM.....huhhhhhh?  Helllllo, is
>this thing working?
>Tony, W4FOA
>
>de N1EA =
>
>I think it is pretty good to send 28 wpm on a hand key.  I'm still trying to
>get a recording of someone doing that.  I know that people can do this, but
>I would still like to have a recording of someone doing it.
>
>I become nerve dead at 23 wpm on a hand key - except maybe for a fast burst.
>
>I had to take my 25 wpm 1st class commercial test with a bug.  I likewise
>can't write very well at 25 so I needed a MILL to copy my 25 wpm.
>
>BUT it is very common for people to be able to send faster than they can
>copy.
>
>It is also easy for people to type faster than they can understand!
>
>73
>
>DR
>
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>  
>

-- 
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
                                                   --Edmund Burke

Greg Moore NNN0BVN PA
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