[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

[N2EY@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/9/03 5:07:29 PM Eastern Standard Time, rondec@easystree
t.com writes:


> First of all, contest CW is the easiest sort of CW. While "contesting" 
> takes
> a bundle of specialized skills, CW skills aren't among them. 

I disagree! Contesting emphasizes certain CW skills, that's all. 


> 
> Listening to the un-broken high-speed exchanges I have no doubt that I am
> hearing keyboard/computer generated CW 

No question on that. That's what message memories are for. Lots of good 
software out there.

and wonder how many of the receiving
> 
> stations use code readers or computers printing out the results on the
> screen... Or even loading the data directly into the electronic log.
> 

Very few if any - the readers just aren't that good. 


> Even if there is someone actually listening and decoding the required
> numbers and call signs, it's a far, far cry from handling traffic or
> carrying on a rag chew in the level of CW skill required, even if the op was
> interested in a real QSO. 
> 

Contesting calls on different CW skills than, say, traffic and ragchewing. 
Such as fast reflexes and situational awareness. Also "iron bottom" endurance. I 
got serial numbers over 1300 in CW SS this year, and that wasn't at the tail 
end of the test, either. One QSO per minute for over 20 hours with an exchange 
that consists of 5 pieces of info.....

I'm not a big gun by any means but contesting sure helped build my CW skills 
(as did traffic handling and ragchewing and listening to W1AW). Contesting 
*did* get me to go beyond building separate transmitters and receivers, and into 
transceivers. 

73 de Jim, N2EY


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