[Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?

[Mike Morrow]

Jeff wrote:


>How was the speed determined for a sending test

All one could do is estimate the speed, and maybe send a little faster than
what the threshold was.  There was nothing wrong with sending faster than
the requirement.  Similar to the receiving test which required perfect copy
for at least one minute out of five, one had five minutes to send at or
above the required speed, with at least one minute without error.  My
examiner let me send for about a minute and a half before indicating a pass
on each of the two Morse exams.  He had to be just estimating the sending
speed...there wasn't any way (or real need) to precisely measure it back
then.

BTW, for many people the 16 wpm random code group receiving test was far
harder to pass than the 20 wpm plain language test.  Five errors during the
five minute session, spread out just right, could prevent getting the 80
consecutive correct random characters.  Unlike plain language, one couldn't
fill in for missed characters.  However, many/most professional operators
find random code groups at high speed to be very easy...the sound comes in
and the fingers hit the right key on the mill without conscious mental
effort.

73,
Mike / KK5F