[Elecraft] Re: CW copying speeds

[zl1aih@ihug.co.nz]

This list never ceases to amaze me - topics in Digest V4 #59 covered just 
about all my interests except antennas,  - well, perhaps the dummy load 
post covered that too.
Background - ham licence 1951, First Radiotelegraph 1953,  operator on 
cargo and passenger ships - finally an oil rig, 1988.
Most marine traffic was relatively slow - short QTCs at 16 to 20wpm.   The 
traffic lists and weather reports were 16wpm by regulation.   There were 
some exceptions - NSS Washington used to send weather maps (5 figure 
code groups) at 20+wpm, with zeros sent as T - the first time I heard NSS 
in action, I knew that my steep learning curve had just started. 
Ron, AC7AC hit the nail on the head - slow morse is fine but don't expect 
to have a conversation at speeds below about 15wpm without putting at 
least some of it on paper
Also, the unfortunate practice of using one's own callsign every 10 
minutes or (to maximise Q rates) spread from DXpeditions to some 
contesters (some tell me it was the reverse) - IMHO, it should be grounds 
for disqualification in that one station in the QSO fails to identify.
ARRL DX CW was a personal best - 750 Qs, 300,000+ points, K2 #767 
driving a venerable Heathkit Warrior to 100 watts.   I used an old TS-820 
as a second receiver, but it was unusable on 40 - total front-end overload 
even with the attenuator.   What I thought were key clicks and thumps all 
over the band just disappeared on the K2 - an absolute joy to operate.
Still the best receiver I have ever used.
73, Ken ZL1AIH