[HIham] Follow-up on Jay Leno, CW-Text Contest

[Ron Hashiro]

 From the FT-817 list on yahoogroups.com

Here are a few comments from K6CTW, who was on the 
receiving end:

Well to answer some of the questions I have received:

1.  Ben was just getting ready to start entering the last 2 words when I 
was done.

2. None of us had any idea of the text we would be sending, not only for 
the "show" but also for the 3 rehersals (in which we smoked em every time)
3. Chip, K7JA was sending and I, Ken, K6CTW was receiving.
4. The radios were FT-817's provided by Chip's company Yaesu and HRO.  
Reason for that choice was that we needed the most frequency agile 
radios we could get.  When I talked to the technical folks, they 
recommended we START at 2 meters and go up because of all of the lower 
frequency noise and RFI from the other TV equipment.  When I got there, 
we took out a spectrum analyzer and studied all of the interference 
possibilities.  I ended up choosing 432.200 MHz because that guaranteed 
no RFI from their equipment and we were high enough not to overload 
their front ends either.  This was then verified and it was what we were 
using at the FT-817's lowest setting.

5.  I already knew that 28-30 wpm would easily keep us in front of even 
the current world record holder, and also it is the fastest speed that I 
can make nice readable copy on paper with a "stick".

6. The telegrapher "costumes" were the producer's idea but it was fun 
for both Chip and I.

7.  In rehersal I, K6CTW had a number of lines which would have really 
done a nice job of plugging ham radio and telegraphy however at our last 
dress rehersal, they decided to cut them out to make the segment "fit". 
(maybe next time).

8. I decided that I would be the receiver because I'm not bothered by 
crowd noise etc.

If you enjoyed the segment, PLEASE email, write, etc. to let "The 
Tonight Show" know about it.  That way we may have a chance for a bigger 
segment next time.
Thanks for the kind comments from all and let's keep on having fun! (It 
is a hobby after all).

73,
Ken, K6CTW

 From Chip on the TX end

http://engadget.com/entry/1234000463042528/

The competition on The Tonight Show was great fun.

Jordan, Ben was a fine competitor, and is a fine fellow to boot. If he 
wants Morse Code lessons any time, I can hook him up.

;o)

Chip Margelli
Amateur Radio Callsign: K7JA
"The Sender"