[Elecraft] Elecraft: My CW Progress

[Vic Rosenthal]

Martin.Evans@simoncarves.com wrote:
> 
>    I can send on my Kent straight key at about 12-15 wpm with a nice rhythm
>    with or without longer than normal gaps. I prefer to send without the
>    longer gaps since it feels right sounds nicer and is easier for the
>    proficient hams to copy. BUT I can't copy as well when the other ham
>    sends to me without the gaps. 

Assuming that your 'non-gap' sending is actually correctly spaced and 
not run together, then absolutely send with normal spacing.  You are 
probably at the point in your development of copying skill that you are 
hearing one character at a time, and so the extra spaces help you copy. 
  However, with practice listening to properly spaced code, you will 
begin to hear groups like "ing" as a unit, and your speed will increase. 
  So my advice is to struggle to copy normally spaced CW at a speed 
slightly too high for you, and try to send perfectly spaced code.

>    I have got tired of trying to get everything down on paper. I can't
>    write very fast using block capitals and I seem to get all tensed up
>    when trying to paper copy it all, so I've started to head copy (apart
>    from the stuff for the log). I don't get all of it but it is getting
>    better and I can sit back and relax and concentrate on seeing the
>    letters on the imaginary blackboard. Am I going the right way or should
>    I stick to the pencil.

I personally (after 48 years of CW) copy in my head and take notes of 
what the operator said so I can comment on it.  I do recall that my most 
rapid advancement in skill ocurred while I was copying traffic and 
trying very hard to write everything down correctly.  I think what 
helped me was learning to copy phrases or sentences in my head and then 
writing down what I had copied, a few words behind what I was receiving. 
  Try to do this.

>    Sometimes when I am sending, my arm goes stiff and the dits are the
>    result of an arm shake rather than a wrist action. So I have stopped
>    sending with the arm in free space and put my arm on the table under a
>    book and the key at right angles to the norm. This way the arm is
>    supported and stops shaking and I use just my fingers/wrist to key. I
>    seems to be a lot less tiring. Any thoughts?

I'm not much good with a straight key, but what I have heard is that the 
  'arm in space' method is less tiring.  I would like to hear what some 
of the experienced straight key senders will answer you.

73
Vic K2VCO