20wpm/16 wpm code test WAS Re: [CW] Re: CW digest, Vol 4 #232 - 6 msgs

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

Dick,

One more note:

The 20 wpm test WAS different in just one thing.  You had to WRITE faster!!!

You had to write 20 wpm instead of 16 wpm - the code speed was the same -
but getting those fingers going was the trick.

I had the same problem when taking the 20/25 wpm test for 1st Telegraph -
same code "generation" speed, but I couldn't WRITE 25 wpm on paper - so for
the 25 wpm test, I used a MILL which was permitted.

I also "interviewed" different pencils and pens.  I found the WRITE BROS
stick pen to be the fastest, but now-a-days, I have found that the UNIBALL
type stick roller fastest.  You can drag a UNIBALL over a piece of paper and
without pressure it will leave a trace.  I have found that this is THE best
indication that the pen is a fast writer.

73

DR
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Carroll" <dixie@townsqr.com>
To: <cw@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 10:22 AM
Subject: [CW] Re: CW digest, Vol 4 #232 - 6 msgs


> David Ring N1EA wrote
>
>
> >
> > 20 wpm English is the same speed as 16 wpm code groups - as explained
above.
> > The difference is the standard by which the speed is timed.
> >
> > English is 25% "faster" than code groups, and code groups are 20%
"slower"
> > than English - in word count - but the speed of the dots and dashes are
> > identical.
> >
> > The FCC test for the 1st class telegraph license (which I hold) is for
25
> > wpm English, and 20 wpm code groups - the same "code speed" on the
machine,
> > but, again, the "word count" is different because we are counting
English
> > (which has a faster "through-put" on Morse than code groups.  If the
machine
> > sends for one minute, you will get 25 words if you are being sent
English,
> > but only 20 words if you are being sent code groups.
>
>  Dave,
>   You've just explaned a remark made to me by the FCC Engineer in Charge
of the
> Kansas City office when I took the Radiotelegraph 2nd and Extra class ham
license
> exams there in 1969.
>
>  The study guide for the 2nd Telegraph that I was using was an older book
which
> stated the code test for 2nd was 16 wpm groups. No mention of a 20wpm text
exam. So
> 16wpm groups is what I had prepared for.
>
>  The KC office gave commercial exams in the morning and ham exams in the
afternoon.
> The EIC, Paul Hampton who was a ham, (later W0AP IIRC, now long a SK )
personally
> gave radio exams on a regular basis (can you imagine a EIC today giving
exams?)  He
> just enjoyed doing it.
>
>   I presented myself for the commercial code test, and he asked what I
wanted to test
> for. I said the 16wpm groups test for 2nd radiotelegraph, and he replied
that was one
> of two tests, the rules had changed and now one must pass tests for both
16wpm groups
> and 20wpm plain language. So I took the 16wpm groups test and I don't
think I missed
> a single character. Then came the 20wpm plain text, for which I had not
practiced.
> (I held a Conditional class ham license and intended to test through
Advanced that
> afternoon. I hadn't given any thought to Extra at that time, though I had
studied the
> material and had been through electronics school at Fort Monmouth several
years
> earlier).
>
>    After success with 16wpm, he started the 20wpm text and I did well with
it. But, I
> had a mistake between two strings of good copy both of which were slightly
less than
> one full minute. While grading the test, he called me up to his desk and
showed me my
> copy where the busted word was-"What's this?"
>    I still remember- I had written 'additional' and
> there had been something else after that which I had missed. There wasn't
time to
> ponder, so I had left the next space blank and went on to get most of
another minute
> of good copy before making another error.
>  So, of course I had to respond, "I don't know". He said "It was 'adding
machine'
> instead of 'additional'.--- Hah! a classic case of anticipating!
>
>  He then counted again, and said "You don't quite have a full minute on
either side
> of the mistake"  so I didn't pass.
>
>  But his next comment then was "The 16wpm groups is enough for 20wpm for
the Extra
> class ham test".
>
>  He didn't explain, and until now I never understood  his meaning. I've
wondered
> about it since. A longtime mystery solved!
>
>  So I went back that afternoon and sat for the General written, 13wpm
code, Advanced
> and Extra writtens, and the 20wpm code test again, and brought home the
Extra ticket.
> Despite his earlier remark, I was required to take the 20wpm code test
again, and
> passed it this time.
>  FCC offered no credit above Novice for the Conditional, so I had to take
all the
> other exams.
>
> And I never again made the 260 miles-one-way trip to Kansas City to retake
the 2nd
> telegraph test.
>
> 73, Dick W0EX
>
>
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