[CW] Fast Paper Copy of Morse WT (CW)

[James Hull]

The FCC still supports the commercial Radiotelegraph Operator License, also known as the “T” license.  The reason they still offer it is to maintain the few (two, I believe) radio stations now operating as museums, such as KPH (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPH_(radio_station)).  Here is the FCC’s webpage for more information:

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/commercial-radio-operator-license-program/commercial-0

The point for this discussion is that the license applicant must be able to hand write CW messages sent at 20 words per minute.  I tried for a year to learn CW well enough to write 5 minutes of perfect code at 20-WPM but found my limitation was handwriting the random code groups sent at 16-WPM.  Here is the FCC’s requirement:

“Telegraphy Examinations Elements
Element 1 -16 code groups per minute.
Element 2 - 20 words per minute.
Telegraphy exams may consist of both transmitting and receiving tests or just a receiving test. Although the FCC rules provide that passing a telegraphy receiving examination is adequate proof of an examinee's ability to both send and receive telegraphy, a COLEM may nonetheless include a sending segment in a telegraphy examination. Examinees must copy by ear and, if subject to a sending test, send by hand plain text and code groups in the international Morse code using all the letters of the alphabet, numerals 0-9, period, comma, question mark, slant mark, and prosigns AR, BT, and SK. Examinees must copy and send at the required speeds for one continuous minute without making any errors. Each test lasts approximately five minutes. The failing of any code test automatically terminates the examination. Code speeds are computed using five letters per word or code group. Punctuation symbols and numbers count as two letters each.”

I may try again to earn the “T” license.  Maybe I need to try writing it in cursive.  We’ll see.

Jim Hull
KK4EOU 

Sent from my Glade Air Freshener



> On Feb 15, 2023, at 9:34 PM, 1oldlens1 <1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> I think you will find that navy method is also the army method and was copied by both from ARRL books of the  1930's. In fact several military training manuals are modified ARRL publications.  The block capitals are very readable but are limited to around 15 WPM. I am sure there many who can write then faster.  Small letter printing of the sort used in drafting is considerably faster and less fatiguing,  but for those of who learned prooer cursive writing it ts much the fastest.  But even many who were taught it in Grammer school don't do it right and wind up with hen scratches.
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my Galaxy
> 
> 
> -------- Original message --------
> From: "D.J.J. Ring, Jr." <n1ea at arrl.net>
> Date: 2/15/23 5:34 PM (GMT-08:00)
> To: CW Reflector <cw at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [CW] Fast Paper Copy of Morse WT (CW)
> 
> What do you think about fast writing of CW (WT) on paper?
> What do you think about fast writing of CW (WT) on paper?
> 
> What is the best handwriting method to write fast?
> The late Chuck Adams, K7QO offered great advice, but "always" the fastest writing is cursive is not one of them.
> 
> Some of my students could use modified printing and print faster than most could write. I was stunned when I saw him do it, then others started doing it.
> 
> I used a modified script, like Italic with a "swung E" like a Greek like their lower case epsilon, but more like a W sideways. Or a C with a line through it. (- 
> 
> The Army system for printing is very good.
> You will find it in this book on page 66.:
> https://archive.org/details/Tm11-459_676/page/n65/mode/2up
> 
> AF2Z uploaded the whole Signal Corps Morse recording set here: https://archive.org/details/U.S._Armed_Forces_Institute_Basic_Radio_Code_ca1942
> 
> 73
> DR
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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