[Elecraft] K3 CW decoder and CQ CW contest

[k3ndm at comcast.net]

Tom, 
I've used the Elecraft CW decoder; it's OK, but not great. I now use CWSkimmer. It appears to be heads and shoulder above what Elecraft coded. Some my buddies use CWget. They seem to really like that program. 

However, there is technique that needs to be learned. As I stated, I use Skimmer. I set it up for the proper offset and CW tone I use, the same as that for my KX3. At this point the trick is to "zero beat" the station you want to work using the spot button on the KX3. This should align the other guy for proper decoding. You won't do runs this way, but you will work a lot of stations. It worked amazingly well this weekend on 40 where the QRM level was unreal. I use search and pounce for contesting and do pretty well. Try it, and good luck. 

73, 
Barry 
K3NDM 


----- Original Message -----

From: "Tom Blahovici" <tomb18 at videotron.ca> 
To: "lmarion" <lmarion at mt.net> 
Cc: "elecraft" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> 
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2014 8:13:19 PM 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 CW decoder and CQ CW contest 

That sounds interesting. I tried calling CQ with the terminal but that was a disaster. Inevitably, the answering station was enough off frequency that the radio wouldn't decode. 
Also one thing I noticed with the decode. 9 out of 10 times the station returned my call, the first letter was decoded incorrectly, and no, I did send a V. 
73's Tom 

On Nov 30, 2014 8:08 PM, lmarion <lmarion at mt.net> wrote: 
> 
> If you want to work more DX than you ever thought possible: 
> 
> 1. Learn enough CW to do basic exchanges. 
> Your speed and proficiency will increase dramatically by just doing it. 
> 2. Get on 30 meters. Other countries have not abandoned CW 
> like the USA has. You will work DX after DX station. 
> 
> You can even call CQ with QRP power and work stations worldwide. 
> No need to wait for contests with their special rules and pileups. 
> 
> Leroy 
> AB7CE 
> 
> 
> 
> On Sun, 2014-11-30 at 18:32 -0500, Tom Blahovici wrote: 
> > Hi 
> > Just thought I'd drop a note about the Elecraft CW decoder. I've been on 
> > the air for a number of hours hunting new DXCC's with the K3's built in CW 
> > decoder. This was my first time using CW, I only know the letters CQ 5NN 
> > TU and that's it! ( OK E also) Never been on CW before so all DXCC's were 
> > 'new'. 
> > Armed with that and a spotting program I racked up 50 new dxccs from 
> > around the world. This was a new experience and introduced me to CW. Now I 
> > want to learn it so the next time the contest comes around I'll enjoy it 
> > that much more. Was a blast. 
> > 73's Tom 
> > va2fsq.com 
> > 
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