[Elecraft] VP6DX scraping the bottom

[Brett Howard]

I did 5WPM with a set of bencher paddles as I was getting started and when
someone is calling CQ at 5WPM I just click the WPM - button on the trusty
ole K1 a few times and boom I've got 5WPM paddles.  Its weird at times but
heck at that speed you just have to make sure to not let off before the last
dit or dah.  Personally I take pride in working with the slower guys as I
know how frustrating it is when you're slower.  I was screaming about it
just a little bit ago and I'm by no means fast at all now!

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Kevin Rock
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:18 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] VP6DX scraping the bottom

   I finally had a chance to work VP6DX on Monday.  I listened to them on
30, 40, and 80 meters.  While listening I heard them slow down to 15 wpm or
so more than once on each of the bands.  It did take me a while to become
acclimated to the higher speeds.  I am not normally a contester so it takes
a little getting used to for me to copy contest speed code. 
   I agree we should slow down for those who run more slowly but there are
times when it is just not possible to do so.  It is difficult to change
speed on a bug rapidly.  It is also not simple to go very slowly with
paddles.  I don't have a straight key hooked up to any of my rigs but there
is one on the bench.  I should make the circuit for allowing access to both
my paddles and my straight key.  When I began relearning Morse code I used
my paddles at 15 wpm with spaces added between the characters.  When I slow
down I use the Farnsworth method just as I learned it.  
   Soon I will be training a number of local amateurs and will start using
my straight key on a regular basis.  However, I cannot use it for very long
without causing problems for my wrist and arm.  A bad break of both bones
above my right wrist stopped any attempt at gaining my Novice ticket in
1967.  Paddles were the only way I could use CW on a long term basis.  In
1967 I had not heard of keyers and was not able to train myself in the use
of a Vibroplex bug.  My amateur ticket would have to wait until 2001.
   Kevin.  KD5ONS

-----Original Message-----
>From: Brett Howard <brett at livecomputers.com>
>Sent: Feb 27, 2008 3:44 PM
>To: 'G3YMC' <dave at davesergeant.com>, elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: RE: [Elecraft] VP6DX scraping the bottom
>
>That's just bogus!  Its NOT the speed that you need to get competent at.
>It's the speed that many people may be competent at but not all of us.  If
>you guys are going to continue to tell people that they need to get
>competent at 25-35 then you can simply kiss CW goodbye.  If people
>(especially DX an DXpedition type stations) are unwilling to slow down and
>give new CW ops some of the fun contacts then why would we be willing to
>want to continue to learn CW?  So we can become one of the rest of the
>elitist snobs who won't slow down for someone?
>
>I remember when I was at 5WPM and it was almost impossible to get someone
to
>talk to me!  Heck I knew it was slow even I was thinking it was painful
when
>it was as fast as I could go.  Now I'm up to 11 to 13WPM and its easier to
>find people to talk to but if someone is calling CQ at 5WPM that's the guy
>I'm all over trying to talk to at HIS speed as that's a new guy to be
>brought into the fold.  If we keep running people off from CW and telling
>people to get proficient at 25-30 WPM that's the attitudes that gets CW
>dropped from the test requirements!
>
></rant>
>
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