[CW] CW Tips?

[N2EY at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/25/06 3:59:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
jeramy at w5xtl.net writes:


> My request is for tips, techniques,
> advice, etc.  Not just for learning the code, but for every day
> operation. 

As mentioned by others,

http://www.netwalk.com/~fsv/CWguide.htm

has lots of great info.

http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm

to download an excellent free book on the subject.

 My biggest fear (the one that kept me from using CW in the
> 
> beginning) was being labeled a lid.  So could you all help me avoid
> falling into lid-dom?
> 

First off, a "lid" isn't an operator who lacks skills. A "lid" is someone who 
doesn't care that they lack skills, and won't bother to change or learn. You 
obviously care, and want to learn, which means you can't be a lid.

Some random suggestions:

1) Set up your station for CW operation. That means a rig with good CW 
performance (sharp filter, RIT, AGC off), a glare-free lighting, a big solid writing 
surface with room for the key, and a set of comfortable 'phones. 

Often a simple, CW-focused setup is better than a complex multimode one, 
because there is less distraction.

2) The most important resource is simply listening to hams using Morse Code 
on the air, and using it yourself. The books, trainers, and other resources are 
good, but they are helps, not a replacement for the real thing.

3) Take your time. Morse Code is a set of skills, not "book learning", and 
you don't learn skills the way you learn facts. Nobody is born knowing Morse 
Code - we all had to learn.

73 es GL de Jim, N2EY