[Elecraft] CW-"Swing"

[Bill_Harris]

A few years back<<<<<way back<  I learned code by coping Press Wireless and FOX Broadcasts.  They used a Boehme keyer that operated by a punched tape, which made for perfect spacing.  Later, when I got on the air, I went through another learning process.  Most, if not all, amateur stations used a hand key and/or "bug". The fists (accent)  I heard varied across the board...er band.  After a few weeks of operating,  my ability to copy code with an accent had greatly improved.  Years later,  I manned an operating position that received traffic from Japanese stations. Talk about a swing.  I believe I spent the first week asking for fills. However, the brain finally adapted and I found that I had modified my swing to mimic theirs.  You might say I pick up the local accent.  In a short time, I recognized the Operators on the circuit by their fist. 
 A fist with swing, in my book, has rhythm along with good spacing.  The only time characters were run together was when it had exceptional rhythm  and the receiving operator was familiar with it, such as JU2UX which has a great rhythm when run together.  Just make sure you ID every ten minutes "in the clear".
Please excuse me as I've ramble on here long enough. Keyboards do have some advantages and....disadvantages.
Wishing you all a "Merry Christmas"  and a prosperous New Year.

Carry on

K2Bill#973 .-.-.
diddledebumpdecrash
"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got the swing"



> I tried hard to copy an op the other night and failed miserably. The code
> was all run together with very inconstant element duration. 
> Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456
> 
> <snip>
> Have you ever heard the 'banana boat swing?" ...
> Or the 'Lake Erie swing'
> </snip>
>