[Elecraft] Re: Learning CW

[Morrow, Michael A.]

Sander Wissing wrote:=20

> So, please comment on the following:
> Speed - Starting at 20wpm

Seems OK, using the method where individual character elements
are sent at high speed, but completed characters are spaced for
a much slower speed until you become accustomed to that speed.

> Paddles - as opposed to straight key to start out on

Well, some ham CW "gurus" say skip the straight key.  Myself,
I think straight key skills are essential and fundamental.

> Concentrating more on receiving than sending for a start.

Definitely!  Until one gets to modest CW speeds (around 20 wpm)
it will always *seem* much easier to send than to receive.  I
think that is a false impression.  How can one properly judge
the quality of one's sent code if one isn't capable of copying
at that speed?

> What software would you guys suggest?

I agree completely with David.  The MFJ-418 Code Tutor unit is
the finest CW learning device ever invented (IMHO) since
commercial CW disappeared from the HF maritime bands!  It's so hard
to find high speed CW on the air any more, but one can always use
the small portable MFJ to practice at whatever level one wishes.
I find it is great recreation.  You'll still find it useful years
from now when you try to get trained on 40 wpm as you would now
trying to get 20 wpm.  (It's not software, though.)

> And lastly, maybe stupid question, iambic mode A or B?

I loath mode B keyers, which want to send an extra dot or dash for
which you haven't even depressed its paddle if you aren't very
precise with your iambic paddle release.  Mode A timing is much
more forgiving.  But once again, many ham CW "gurus" like mode B.
But there are NO speed or paddle manipulation advantages of one
mode over the other.  What it comes down to simply is that you'll
like whatever mode you learn.  Mode B users tend to drop dots at
the end of an iambic character when using mode A, while mode A
users tend to get an extra dot at the end of an iambic character
when using mode B.

My recommendation, much as I dislike mode B, is: Learn mode B.
It seems that if a rig has only one mode of iambic keying (like
the FT-817 or the SWL DSW-series) it will be mode B.  (I am so
thankful that Elecraft allows selection of a great mode A keyer
in their rigs.)

All the above are just my opinions, of course.  I also still think
one should be capable of producing "hard copy" of the Morse that is
being received, which many hams consider unimportant.

73,
Mike / KK5F