[CW] CW Tips?

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

After 41 years of ham radio and having been a commerical radiotelegrapher 
(and even respected for having a good fist), I get called a "LID" about a 
dozen or more times a year.

Last night in fact, one fellow who couldn't send two words correctly without 
about 10 extra dots and dashes (I mean it, and I'm being conservative in my 
words), called me a LID because my bug dots were "too light" for him.

The problem is that when I send at 40 wpm with the bug, if I have the bug 
adjusted for "HEAVY" dots, it is impossible to copy - light dots are needed.

If I send at 25 wpm, the dots are correct, but so many are used to hearing 
the heavy dot of Navy and Merchant Marine Operators who used it to combat 
(heroic battle) QRN on medium frequency (especially - which was 410 to 515 
kHz) or on HF bands - especially those bands below 10 MHz which were prone 
to "static" from electrical storms.

I have a code copying program set up on my computer, I use CW Get - and it 
copies my bug near perfectly.  As long as I am getting near perfect copy on 
my computer, I ignore the remarks.  I do find that turning off QSK and 
running "Semi-QSK" or even locking the transmitter by pushing the transmit 
button (at least on my ICOM there is one) improves the copy - in other words 
the transients made by switching to receive cause the CW Get program to hear 
wrongly.  The code is the same - it just copies better when the receiver 
doesn't cycle to receive and back to transmit.

How about that suggestion?

Congrats on the "Junior Operator" - make sure she gets her own coffee mug.

73

David N1EA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeramy A. Ross" <jeramy at w5xtl.net>
To: <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 3:58 PM
Subject: [CW] CW Tips?


Hello to all on the list.

First, a bit of an introduction:  My name is Jeramy and my call is
W5XTL.  I'm a Technician class ham (with 5 WPM CW).  I got my first
ticket as a novice in 1992.  I've been inactive for quite some time,
but am getting back into the ball game slowly but surely.  I'm in the
process of building a 80 meter doublet antenna with homebrew ladder line
(will use on 40 - 10 with tuner).  I'm also in the process of upgrading
up to extra class.

Now for my plea for help.  Though I passed my 5 WPM test in 92, I have
never used CW (please refrain from throwing sharp objects at me till I
finish).  I have always been interested in CW operation, but my skill
never amounted to much.  I am currently working on re-learning CW, and
have the goal of eventually obtaining 20 WPM (or beyond if I can.. but
I have to reach the 20WPM goal).  My request is for tips, techniques,
advice, etc.  Not just for learning the code, but for every day
operation.  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?

Best wishes,
Jeramy W5XTL
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