[Elecraft] My First steps on CW

Byron KI6NUL byron at servies.us
Fri Aug 6 11:59:03 EDT 2010


Hi Ed,

I have been following a similar path to yours, though with K1 #2799 finished
last January.  It took me longer than I wanted to learn CW, too, but made my
first non-contest CW QSO last month (I used CodeQuick, and enjoyed it).  I
am getting up to the low-teens now for things like the W1AW practice, and
faster with contest CW, which I find easier due to the short length and
prescribed order. The NACQ CW contest is Saturday; give it a try.

Perhaps I am projecting my own issues on to what you mentioned, but what is
currently bothering me are pro signs (BT is very common, for example, yet
causes my brain to lock up).  But, more basically, what to "say"?  What
exactly is a CW QSO?

I have been finding that the FISTS basic operating manual (google "fists
cw") very helpful, and my copy of the ARRL Operating Manual is now taped
together I refer to it so much.  Lots of good stuff on frequencies, pro
signs, and what a CW QSO is like.

To your actual question, on 40m, I often find code I can copy from 7045 -
7060, and again from 7105 to 7115 (which is as high as my K1 will tune with
my VFO range).  7047.5 is where W1AW does their daily code practice (very
helpful) and 7058 is the FISTS calling frequency.  The 40m QRP frequency is
7030 and sometimes there is slow code from 7030 to 7035, too, but usually
that low on the band people are mid-20's and up.

On 20m, 14045 - 14065 usually has something.  14047.5 is W1AW again, and
14060 is the 20m QRP calling frequency, which is where I have had success. 
The same range, roughly, on 15m often has code I can copy as well.

Mostly, though, what is helping me is what Lee mentioned: get on the air. 
As often as possible.

73 de Byron KI6NUL
K1 #2799, many mini-modules
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