[Elecraft] My First steps on CW

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

>causes my brain to lock up).  But, more basically, what to "say"?  What
>exactly is a CW QSO?

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A CW QSO is like any conversation you might get into with someone who don't
know - say at a club meeting or a party. 

Asking questions is always good. How big is the town/city? What do you do
when not Hamming? It's a great opportunity to learn about others...

Time was there was a LOT to ask about antennas, rigs, etc., back when most
of us had homebrew rigs. It can still be a good topic, especially if the
other person shows some sign of knowing what goes on "under the hood" - but
that's not as common as it was in the past. 

A card with questions at the operating desk a great if you are so focused on
the QSO you forget what to ask.

Try to avoid the old Novice trap I and many of my (1950's) Novice "class"
used to fall into. "FB on ur name OM. FB on ur QTH. FB on my Sig Report. FB
on the weather..." Even at the time it seemed awfully dumb stuff, but we,
too, had "brain freeze" while learning to be comfortable "talking" in Morse.


Ron AC7AC