[CW] CW in Emergency HF Comms System...

[Gregory W. Moore]

I think I have to further explain my remarks concerning the value, and 
the terrible disservice which has been done by simply letting it die via 
attrition and the stupid 5 WPM test (which although better than nothing, 
is probably, IMHO, the hardest speed to ever copy when sent either by a 
computer or Boheme Keyer, as the spaces, letters, and words seem to 
become all the same length.) It is ok  to QRS 5, but darn it, send the 
characters at about at least 10-15 wpm,  so the person copying doesn't 
keel over from sheer boredom, for in my experience, "perfect" 5 WPM 
morse sounds like a collection of  "E" and "T" and I keep waiting for a 
real character to be sent.

My point was not about modern riceboxes, or computers, either, for I was 
bringing up the carnage to solid state which would result in a wide area 
EMP pulse.  When this happens, there isn't going to be any PSK31, PSK63, 
MT63, IMHO the best QRN/M knife their is, or any other soundcard modes 
from one's computer, for it's input protection diodes and the small 
junctions are going to be molten metal like the rest of the unprotected 
solid state equipment.

The point I was trying to make is first, one has to beg, borrow, steal, 
liberate, buy, build, a VACUUM TUBE backup, which, outside of specially 
hardened military rigs is the only comm equipment which will survive a 
serious EMP pulse.  Make sure that you have a reliable power supply as 
well, preferably a good old reliable dynamotor, for all the solid state 
inverters in the world will also be toast.  Deep Cycle Marine batteries, 
fed from a mechanical generator with both 120/240 VAC outputs and the 
requisite 12/24VDC output is also a must, because one is not gonna be 
able to rely on a public power grid.

Antennas capable of basically covering DC to Daylight are a must, with 
MECHANICAL antenna tuners, again with no
solid state components. Low band (160/80 at the very least) and if one 
is familiar, as I am, with VLF/LF/MF, regardless if it is "in band) for 
amateur use will make little or no difference in a catrastrophic 
communications collapse. If you gotta drop to the friendleness of the 
merchant freqs  (500Khz calling) then shift down to whatever suits your 
purposes then you can do so. MCW is a necessity, as it can be recieved 
through a standard AM reciever, and one won't have to worry about a bfo..

The only digital mode that will be viable is RATT (RTTY) and that is 
going to be with mechanical teletpyes, vacuum tube tu
s or fully shielded military stuff which is readily available, have all 
normal speeds and shifts available, and make darn sure that your good 
old greenkey equipment is clean, oiled and ready to go, with 60,75,and 
100WPM. You have no idea who you are going to have to contact, or under 
what condx.

But the most important thing is PRACTICE,  get off the puter and POUND 
BRASS, Stay competent with every key you can lay your hands on, make as 
many CW QSO's as  you can. with as many different "fists" as you can 
copy.  Join FISTS. Get on a CW traffic net, copy W1AW, but STAY 
PROFICIENT,,,,, Hey, I'm not trying to ruin anyone's fun, nor take away 
from the great new technology, heck, I use all the digital modes, and 
enjoy them. I use computers, both soundcard modes and tnc modes, and 
they are great, but remember what can happen.  I like using VHF, but 
also made darn sure I had a vaccum tube rig as a backup for that as 
well.. Yes, you can find them in that form, even if you have to go to 
E-Greed and take your chances ;-)

The point I want to make is not to lose happiness in the hobby, demean 
anyone who can't copy 30+ wpm, remember, accuracy always transcends 
speed. The important thing is to be able to stay in communcation, 
regardless of the conditions, if you have to throw a longwire over a 
couple of trees, and be prepared to work ANY frequency requred..  We can 
discuss regs later, after the distaster/emergency has passed.  My points 
were (A.) to have a reciever and transmitter that were "hollow state", 
making them EMP resistant. (B.) having the selfsame reciever and 
transmitter with a reliable power supply that can be trusted to work
"no matter what"  (C.) Having frequency capability to be able to conduct 
relaiable communications in the face of as yet unknown adverse 
conditions, and worrying about regs after one has performed their 
communications duties (what are they gonna do, shave your head and send 
you to Vietnam (sorry, bad pun, shows my age and my mil background). 
 (D.) realise that CW is going to get thru, but make damn sure you have 
an MCW backup. (E.) Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to have a microphone, 
and even AM/SSB capability, but make sure your mic is also going to 
survive extreme conditions), and finally (F) Keep a copy of ACP-131 
around (communications systems operating signals) and memorize the most 
common "Q" sigs as well as the not so common  "Z" sigs which are used by 
the military.. The day may well come when you will have to communicate, 
fluently, with a person who does not understand your language, and Q&Z 
sigs can save the day.....Learning them is not hard. and you will find 
yourself carrying on normal conversations with them  (to the somewhat 
amazement of the XYL).
(G.)  Make a point of tuning around, QAP the different bands, amateur or 
not, and make a list of who is where, you just might need it someday, 
it's kind of like making sure your parachute/egress system in your 
aircraft works, is maintained properly, and have utter familiarity and 
comfort with having it properly worn, check it over and over,  and darn 
well  be ready to use it without thought or question if the need arises. 
. If you don't have it, and need it, you will never need it again!!!

    Finally, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and expect 
neither!!!!!  I hpe I haven't been too dramatic, or armageddon oriented, 
but the Scout Motto of "Be Prepared" is just as much valid in comms as 
in the Scouts (The survival skills one learns in the Scouts and Military 
are just as important, and should also be prepared for, but this is the 
CW forum, not a survivalist site ;-)

Above all, Keep the Faith for Freedom!
ZUT!!!! es 73 de Greg WA3IVX/ NNN0BVN


Ronald KA4INM Youvan wrote:

> I think I was told PSK31 is slower than packet and RTTY.
> I don't think I am anti PSK31, but wouldn't it be better to use some 
> power and use the computer to send the traffic keying the transmitter 
> at 99 wpm?
>
>> I would think that one of the newer digital modes would
>> be better than manual CW for a comms center, I find if there is a heavy
>> traffic load CW is quite slow...
>
>
>> An example would be PSK31, it only requires very low
>> power and is automatic, you could just type up the
>> tfc and let it go on the PSK31 circuit . . .
>

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

Greg Moore NNN0BVN PA
U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS)
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