[CW] Dissing the ARRL (really a new subject - PASSING CODE TESTS)

[N7DC@cs.com]

You and me both David.  I know I did pass 25 wpm using standard 5 letter code 
groups (also 5 number code groups) at one time.  That was the standard 1 
minute perfect copy within either a 3 or 5 minute test (forget which it was now).  
I found that much harder to send, than text traffic.  With straight English, 
I didn't have to constantly pay attention to the paper, but could just flow 
along.  With code groups, you had to really concentrate on the "word" since it 
wasn't standard language of any kind. 

Its funny, but think we had to pass a bug test at 25, in order to be "bug 
qualified."  Cant remember exactly, right now.  I do know that we had to simply 
be able to type at 25 on a RTTY machine in order to be qualified on that piece 
of junk, and in order to graduate from class, we had to type 25 wpm on a MILL, 
as well.  
The typing on Mills and RTTY keyboards really ruined my regular typing speeds 
on a typewriter.  I typed somewhere around 60-70 wpm on an electric IBM, and 
now I probably couldnt pass 25, without getting all fumble fingered trying to 
find the caps and shift keys.  All my cohorts at work get on me for pounding 
the computer keyboards into oblivion.  
Danny



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