[Elecraft] Is CW a Language? OT

[Bill Coleman]

On Apr 18, 2006, at 10:33 PM, Sandy W5TVW wrote:

> Why get sloppy and why some guys trying
> to run their keyers at 40 WPM?

I never send that fast, because I can't copy that fast. But, I have  
been known to run CW as high as 32 wpm. I do know guys that can go a  
LOT faster.

> Why send your callsign just once
> on the initial call?  Twice should be a matter of minimums,
>  how does the sender know his signal is BOOMING in or in the clear?

If you get through, he's going to send your callsign back. If he gets  
it wrong, then you can send it again until he gets it right.

By and large, though, he'll get it right the first time.

> You just have to ask him to repeat, which RUINS the "speed"
> advantage, or wastes the time he's trying to save!

With contesting judging done by computers these days, it is much  
better to get things right than to do them quickly.

> E-S-P-E-C-I-A-L-L-Y during a QRP contest!  Won't people
> EVER learn?

Not everyone runs QRP in contests. And not every QRP signal is down  
in the noise.

> Just how much time does sending a "DE" or a "K" take?

Not much, but NOT sending them takes less time....

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901