[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for August 10th & 12th, 2008

[Dave Van Wallaghen]

Hi Kevin,

As we've discussed before, I am a QRS operator trying to (very slowly)
increase my speed. I'm pretty comfortable at the 10-13wpm range. I would
have no problem with 20wpm characters as long as the word spacing was around
13wpm. 

I know this type of cw drives some people crazy, so I wouldn't want ECN to
change just for someone like me. I will get my speed up someday. But if it
was not a big deal to the rest of the group, I would be more inclined to
jump in. In fact, I can see this as real good practice for me to send at a
20wpm character speed and get used to hearing code at this speed.

I've listened in a couple of times and can pick up bits and pieces when
conditions are decent. But at this point, I don't think I could keep up.

Thanks for asking for input - here is my 0.02c.

73,
Dave W8FGU

> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Kevin Rock
> Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2008 11:28 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report for August 10th & 12th, 2008
> 
> Good Evening,
>    It was a wonderful evening.  Our first net had a very welcome vistor:
> Tom Hammond, N0SS came by and worked a few stations for me.  Thank you Tom
> and welcome back.  It was nice to hear you again.  I forgot to thank
> Scott, N0AR, who last week relayed in Ray, K2HYD for us.  Thank you Scott!
> I also want to thank you all for the many signal and weather reports.  It
> is nice to know that some of you are having a regular summer.  Folks just
> don't believe me when I tell them the temperature here.  But this week it
> is supposed to break 80 degrees a couple of times.  I will be on my roof
> putting in patches of plywood.  Given enough dry weather I will have a new
> roof covering on before too long.  Ice and snow shield and lots of tar.  I
> expect to go through a couple pairs of jeans and say goodbye to these
> boots.  But Sam and I will be dry this winter!
>    Propagation was not too bad but not great either.  I had a message from
> Georgia which says K4JPN has been trying for the last three weeks with
> nothing heard.  Sorry Steve.  I did work Florida each of the last two
> weeks but not Georgia.  Propagation is a mystery to me.  QRN was present
> on 20 meters but quite loud on 40 meters as it has been for the last few
> months.  QRN was easily S6 the entire net with peaks up to S8.  I was
> copying down to about S2 but it was not easy.  Luckily we have these
> Elecraft rigs which somehow can perform magic on RF.  Thanks guys!
> 
>    On to the lists =>
> 
> On 14050 kHz at 2300z:
> WB3AAL - Ron - PA - K2 - 1392     QNI #40!!!
> K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183
> N0SS - Tom - MO - K3 - 008     ** QNI 270 **
> AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398     * QNI 180 *
> W6ZH - Pete - CA - K2 - 43
> W0RSR - Mike - CO - K2 - 5767
> K6DGW - Fred - CA - K3 - 642
> K2VCO - Vic - CA - K3 - 007       QNI #10!!
> W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457
> K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686
> AK2B - Tom - NY - K3 - 109        QNI #50!!!
> VE3XL - Ric - ON - K1 - 968
> N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866
> AL7N - Ed - AK
> W0SZ - Steve - CO - K3 - 176      QNI #25!!
> 
> On 7045 kHz at 0200z:
> W6ZH - Pete - CA - K2 - 5138
> K6DGW - Fred - CA - K3 - 642
> K6PJV - Dale - CA - K3 - 1183
> W0RSR - Mike - CO - K2 - 5767     QNI #75!!!
> W0CZ - Ken - ND - K3 - 457
> W0JFR - John - CO - K3 - 994      QNI #50!!!
> AB9V - Mike - IN - K3 - 398
> K1THP - Dave - CT - K3 - 686
> K9ZTV - Kent - MO - K3 - 21
> N0AR - Scott - MN - K2 - 4866
> N5SM - Scott - TX - K2 - 6417     QNI #20!!
> N7AF - Dave - AZ - K2 - 4795
> W0SZ - Steve - CO - K3 - 176
> 
>    Now a question to you all, check ins and prospective check ins alike:
> how fast should we run the net?  A few years ago Tom and I agreed to have
> me limit my speed to 20 wpm while he varied his speed both up and down.
> Lately Tom has been recuperating while I run the nets by myself.  I have
> been maintaining a steady 20 wpm character rate since about two years ago.
> When necessary I add space between each character to slow down.  Since I
> enjoy meeting new operators all the time I do not wish to scare anyone off
> by running too fast.  However, when we use 'hail signs' it is difficult to
> determine a preferred sending speed of the check in operator.  Please feel
> free to break me and send QRS if you're not copying me very well.  I will
> add spaces as necessary.  However I can't slow down too much without
> making a ton of errors.  My fingers get all tangled up and I just plain
> lose it :(  It appears some discussion is in order.  A little discussion
> may be on topic for the Elecraft Reflector but if it gets to be too much
> just send me the comments and I will endure the flames :)  Eric has been
> known to let a lively discussion last a few days before he asks it to end.
> A few days worth may be enough to decide what we are to do for the future.
> Thank you for any input you wish to send.  Any errors in the above lists
> are attributable to me.  Please send me the corrections and I will fix the
> mess I've made.   Now to get to my other computer and work on it until
> Sunday evening is done.  Thank you very much for the interest and for your
> input.
>    Until next week stay well,
>       73,
>          Kevin.  KD5ONS  (Net Control Operator 5th Class)
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