[Elecraft] Analysis of a CW COMMUNICATION

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

It is wise to listen to CW stations across the band and determine what 
speed they are running.  Then operate at the speed that MOST of the 
stations are using.  This will get the MOST responses.

I used the trial version of CW Skimmer for this purpose recently.    I 
have other software that will do the same.   I find MOST stations are 
running 20 to 25 WPM with fewer below and a few above that.   Of course 
you will always find the 40WPM+ stations and a few at 10 WPM.  Those are 
the exceptions.   The average speed is where the MOST contacts will be 
made.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 11/2/2019 9:50 PM, Randy Heise wrote:
> As a 20wpm Extra of advancing age, I admit I can no longer copy at 35. In fact, I will also admit that now days I begin to have trouble at around 20.
>
> I’m not a contester, but what I’ve taken to doing is haunting the Novice bands. I answer CQ’s about 2 to 3wpm faster than they’re being sent. I do it to honor the Extras/Advanced/Generals that “Elmered” me some 55 years ago.
>
> Try it! It’s a lot of fun.
>
> Yeah, I know ... kinda off-topic! But this website is about building things! We can also build the next generation of CW operators.
>
> Randy, NB7E
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Nov 2, 2019, at 5:37 PM, marvwheeler at nwlink.com wrote:
>>
>> In addition those sending at 45 wpm miss a lot of Q's because many, many
>> stations will not respond to them  because they can't copy their callsign.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On
>> Behalf Of EricJ
>> Sent: Saturday, November 2, 2019 4:43 PM
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Analysis of a CW COMMUNICATION
>>
>> Sending at the speed of the receiving station is usually the best way to
>> improve probability of exchanging call signs.
>>
>> At 45 wpm, most ham ops need you to send your call three times or more to
>> get it so you haven't accomplished much in the way of speedier
>> communication. Also simple math.
>>
>> Eric KE6US
>>
>>> On 11/2/2019 3:00 PM, Jim Danehy wrote:
>>> Some prefer the challenge of isolating a CW signal in order to decode it.
>> They use filtering. Eliminating interference is difficult. Interference
>> comes from numerous sources.
>>> An exchange of call signs is the desired result in a pile up or contest
>> exchange.
>>> Sending at a lower speed does not improve the probability of accomplishing
>> that communication goal.
>>> CW speed is a critical part of the communication equation. An operator
>> sending at 15 wpm has 1/3 the rate of success than one who sends at 45 wpm.
>>>   The later sends his call 3 times to only one for the slower station.
>> Simple math. It might sound like bragging. A thinking person will understand
>> how critical speed is to a CW operator. Some rely upon filtering. That only
>> gets you so far with the goal.
>>> I like the improved success that comes adding speed. Bragging ? I like to
>> succeed. I use every tool I have.
>>> Just my way of competing. Some can do it better than others.
>>>
>>> Jim
>>> W9VNE
>>>
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
>>> list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
>>> eric.csuf at gmail.com
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
>> delivered to marvwheeler at nwlink.com
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to randyh at greywolfstudios.com
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to rmcgraw at blomand.net