[Elecraft] Viva CW!

[Dauer, Edward]

Joshua --

I would encourage you to do so.  W1AW practice runs are great (are they
still running?  I haven't listened for quite some time . . . ); and when
you feel up to it try to work in or even just listen in to a contest.
Some of it will blaze by but over time it'll sink in.  Best advice I had
long ago was to not try to translate from dots and dashes to letters -
rather, learn the way a character sounds, by constant repetition and
listening, listening, listening.

Maybe easier said than done, but you might find it worthwhile.  The
advantage is particularly noticeable with a QRP or even just a modest
station.  A good CW op can make up with skill for a lot of DBs forgone.
And really good ops will ALWAYS go QRS to match a station calling them.

Since being licensed in 1957 I can remember only two periods of two years
each when I used phone (AM, at the time).  Before and since it has been
exclusively CW.  In fact, before getting the K3 I had and still have a
FT-847 and a FT-950 which may or may not even work on data or SSB - I've
never tried them in those modes.  (They are both for sale, in case anyone
reading this is interested.)  It's all a matter of taste, of course; but
CW is mine.  Best of luck . . .

Ted, KN1CBR

  




>
>Message: 21
>Date: Tue, 27 May 2014 08:25:07 -0400
>From: Joshua Gould <jg.k8wxa at gmail.com>
>To: Lee Trout <troutcm at gmail.com>, Elecraft List
>	<elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Activity in ancient 15-meter novice band (21.1
>	MHz)
>Message-ID:
>	<CAHk01bC4by-YLjo6dLDmEb1HCHA+LBsLHW2UM=nmRVGQpv3ABg at mail.gmail.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
>I keep throwing around the idea of trying to learn code again.  When I got
>licensed as a no code tech, I stayed there for the first ten years because
>every time that I would try to learn code to upgrade, my brain was having
>none of it.  Now that I've upgraded to General and I have access to more
>bands (where CW is still used) the idea is growing on me again.  I am
>planning to purchase a KX3 in early July, and would love to know code so
>that I can play around on CW while QRP.  Between attending college and
>other work related responsibilities, I'm not sure that is going to happen
>before I get my KX3.  I would hope that if I learn the code, someone will
>slow down and have a QSO with a newbie...
>
>Joshua Gould
>K8WXA
>
>