[Elecraft] CW practice QSOs...

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Ha, ha! My first reaction what that the best "simulator" was a K2, K1 or KX1
into a decent antenna <G>.

That said, he wants to break the 18 wpm barrier. It gets harder to find QSOs
above 15-20 wpm. I used W1AW sessions to get my 35 wpm certificate, then
promptly never used 35 or 40 wpm again except on very rare occasions. The
"simulator" sounded like a good idea for consistent high-speed practice
under typical band conditions. 

I presume he wants to be able to work other stations in that speed range, so
sending is equally important. 

For sending practice I find a program like CW GET is invaluable because it's
so touchy. It wants perfect, steady keying to decode properly; the sort of
stuff a keyboard provides with perfect inter-word spacing. If I can get good
copy on CW GET, I know my keying is acceptable. Perhaps I have a bigger
challenge sending since I use a bug or hand pump, but it still takes
practice and skill using paddles and a keyer. 

Before software like CW GET was around I recorded my own sending, working
down a page in a phone book with addresses and numbers or at least a page
out of a magazine. Then I played it back, preferably the next day. If it was
a fist I was happy to copy, I was happy. 

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Craig Rairdin
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:51 AM
To: 'Elecraft'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] CW practice QSOs...


What's wrong with listening on the air? Plenty of QSB, QRM, pile-ups and
other real-life scenarios there. :-)


Craig
NZ0R