[Fists] Some observations

[Tomas Hood - NW7US]

Thank you for your feedback.

> What FISTS wants to accomplish
> 1. To further the use of CW on the amateur bands.
> 2. To encourage newcomers to the CW mode.
> 3. To engender friendship within the membership.

Right.  And the motto is?

> Just because you belong to a club doesn't mean you are the 
> club.

Ah.  Guilty by association.  :)

> Most CW ops are continually working to improve their 
> skills -- you are not unique in that regard. 

Misery loves company.  Heh.

> If you don't like the QSO, move on the next one. 

Yup.  Although I'd love to know the name of the OM I was talking
with.

But, if I were trying to hone my sending speed, since speed
transcends accuracy, I guess I can do the same, and send any old
way as I see fit.

> Last year I made over 2,000 CW contacts. 

That is cool!  I can't wait until I have that amount of time on my
hands.  I figure in about five years, most of the kids will be out
of the home.  Then, I will have an hour or so to myself.  Of
course, work will be more intense, as I probably will be paying the
school fees to get those kids through that.  One of the reasons I
like CW:  You don't have to spend a lot of money on fancy rigs to
get out a signal.

> BK is the equivalent of BREAK in voice.

So, it is proper to answer someone with BREAK on voice?  Is that
just on simplex?

I have been using "R" in reply - to signify that I copied
correctly.  Or, I'll send, "PSE QRS" if I did not.  I guess I can
add BK - er... for why?

I want to be sure I get this right.  I am teaching a bunch of
school students (our School Radio Club is KD7JOB), and I would hate
to teach the wrong way to do things!

> Perhaps someone will send you a quick question and then 
> BK. You send BK, answer the question, then send BK again 
> to turn it back. 

Ah.  That makes a lot of sense.  However, that is NOT what I hear
on the air.  But, I can follow this and put that into practice.

> It's all fun, no matter what method you use to send code. 
> You really want a challenge... get a bug.

Nah.  Not into challanges -- I like finding a key or paddle that
allows me to concentrate on the conversation, rather than working
hard.  :)

I understand others might like the challenge.  That's cool.


73 de NW7US, Tomas

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