[Elecraft] VP6DX scraping the bottom

[Kevin Rock]

   Field Day is a good example of this.  One can start at 10 wpm and end up working stations at 20 wpm or better.  Start at the high end of each band and work the slower operators who tend to congregate there.  Work slowly down the band until you can no longer copy the blistering speeds.  Move to the next band as the day progresses.  Repeat the procedure.  By the last few hours of the last day you will find yourself dipping deeper into the low end of the bands.  You have now progressed rapidly up the scale in just a few days of effort.  You will be surprised at your gain in comprehension and ability.  Now try the next contest!
   Kevin.  KD5ONS

-----Original Message-----
>From: Vic K2VCO <vic at rakefet.com>
>Sent: Feb 27, 2008 3:59 PM
>To: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] VP6DX scraping the bottom
>
>Brett Howard wrote:
>> 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?  
>
>It depends on what 'competent' is. There's a big difference between 
>being able to carry on a conversation at 25-30 wpm and being able to 
>make a contest/dx QSO. In fact, contests are a very good place to 
>improve your CW ability. You hear the same exchange over and over again, 
>and ultimately you begin to pick things out.
>
>Maybe a 5 wpm operator will not be able to make the leap to copying his 
>own call at 25 wpm, but probably a 15 wpm operator can.
>-- 
>73,
>Vic, K2VCO
>Fresno CA
>http://www.qsl.net/k2vco