[NLRS] More CW

[Andrew T. Flowers, K0SM]

Clare Jarvis wrote:

>
>I disagree with the idea that practicing with the key
>isn't that important.   I know many hams who passed the code
>test but were affraid to get on the air because they had never practiced
>sending.    
>
I just want to second this.  The straight key came naturally to me back 
in my novice days--yes, I was a "novice" once-- but it's not that way 
for everyone.  I know my father had to work on it a bit. Every now and 
again I'll run into an awful fist on the air that is darn near 
gibberish, though there are more keyers out there to clean things up a 
bit.  I didn't start using a keyer until my code speed was increasing to 
about 20wpm character speed, but I *did* need to practice with it once I 
did.  It made life much easier, especially in a contest.  With a keyer 
it's easy to run letters and words together, especially when you are 
excited, so practice!

Having pre-programmed memories is extremely nice in a contest situation. 
 It's much less fatiguing in the long run, but mentally and physically. 
 I don't know about you guys, but when I'm sending CW it takes just 
about all of my attention, and that makes it hard to do anything 
else--eating a sandwich, drinking a coke, or keeping the tripod from 
blowing over in the Jan sweeps....Though I did have the pleasure of 
meeting a local here in the Rochester area who is happy to hold a 
converstaion with you as he's sending CW at 35wpm...He's a little weird. ;-)

FWIW, I think CW is the ticket in the contests if you are not running 
KW.  I can't count the times that CW has gotten the attention of a 
distant SOHP or Multi when I didn't even get their attention on SSB. 
 Cross-mode works!  At the very least you may get them to turn the 
antenna your way and you can finish on SSB.

Andy K0SM/2