[Fists] Is it just me?

[Robert I. Block W2SR]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ke9v@yahoo.com>
To: "FISTS" <Fists@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 11:35 AM
Subject: [Fists] Is it just me?


> I've noticed myself becoming much more picky about the CQs I answer.
> ...
> I'm not talking about speed, QRN, QRM, proper procedural signs or
> tone. I'm talking about sloppy sending plain and simple.
> ...
> Maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy, but the "joy" has certainly
...
> Is it just me or is sloppy sending becoming an epidemic?
>
> -- 
> Jeff, KE9V

Asking as a new CW op whose fist may leave something to be desired, what
is the correct ettiquite? Once, I replied to someone "SRI NW TO CW, CANT
READ BUG FIST YET", and the other op went to (good) QRS, maybe using the
dah paddle on the bug as a straight key, and it went on to be a good
chat.

So two cases:

1. A newbie whose CW skills are not mature.  What's a nice way to let
someone know (in an encouraging way) that it's a bit of a struggle and
you'd like to give them a QSO for practice, but keep it brief (and I
think, having been there, the newbie would like to keep it brief before
risking getting electrocuted by the sweat on the key).

2. An OT who should know better but insists on sending L as "di
daaaaaaah didit" and other examples of sloppy code.

Again, the idea is not to antagonize or wound, but to nurture and
improve.  Frank feedback, given in a gentle tone can be an effective
teaching tool.  One of the purposes of FISTS is for experienced
operators to work with newcomers and to accept an imperfect QSO.  On the
other hand, some things need to be corrected, and yes, there is a lot of
it going around.

73
W2SR