[Elecraft] Is CW a Language? OT

[Don Wilhelm]

Ci,

For you and any others in your situation, may I suggest that you avail
yourself of the ARRL Operating Manual.  The ARRL Handbook used to briefly
cover operating standards, prosign usage, proper calling technique, etc. in
the Operating a Station chapter of the ARRL Handbook - it is present in my
1994 and earlier handbooks but was dropped sometime between 1994 and 1999 (I
surmise they are trying to sell more copies of th eOperating Manual by
dropping the info from the Handbook <G>).  Perhaps you can find an older
copy of the ARRL Handbook or the ARRL Operating Manual in a library or from
a ham friend.

IMHO, there is no good excuse for failing to know proper operating
technique - the information is certainly available and should be a part of
every ham's library - and that concept is one that should be presented in
any ham license class.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> Are ham  license classes teaching proper procedures  anymore?
>
> Sandy, I have been a ham for one and one-half years. There were no ham
> classes when I got licensed. Since I only operate CW, I looked
> for an elmer and
> found none. I signed up for the FISTS code buddy program and
> received no-one.
> Perhaps I am the worst "lid" you have ever heard, but I am
> striving to  become
> as proficient as you apparently are. I find cw operators to be
> the  kindest
> and forgiving of the many groups I have encountered in my 62
> years of  life. I
> am still in the 15 to 20 word speed goup on a good day, but I
> absolutely  love
> this hobby. I assume I will improve with time--I am on the air
> everyday and
> also work on my speed with an MP3 player.
>
> My point is that there are many of us like me making it on our
> own. Perhaps
> you got your training in some organized manner that simply is not very
> available  any more. So please be tolerant of those of us who are
> striving to learn.
> Thank  you, and I hope to meet you on the air...72/73, Ci
>
>
> Ci Jones,  WU7R (k-2 #4615, K-1 #933, KX-1 #957)
> FISTS #10789
> NAQCC #306
> ARCI  #12163
> SKCC #22
>