[PaQSO] CW Sending Speed

[Jim]

Past experience, as well as common sense dictate that
a low CW speed is best.  I typically turn the keyer
down to perhaps 10 wpm.  Certain keyers have different
low speeds, some are too slow. If you send at 40 wpm,
you will be transmitting to yourself.  The whole point
of CW is to get extra points and work people again. 
If you are too fast, people will swear at their
headphones and spin the knob.  You will then LOSE
contacts.

CW is a dying artform, whether we admit it or not. 
When the hardcore people pass on, who will carry the
torch?  The newer hams I have spoken to in my club
either have no interest in learning CW, or simply put
in enough effort to barely pass the exam.  That means,
in reality, they cannot have a meaningful QSO with
anyone.  A 5 wpm QSO may be a challenge to these ops. 
Times have changed.

I doubt having 1 wpm QSO’s is a good idea, but since
we only require 5 wpm, the bar must be lowered.  If
these people wish to get on, but hear machine gun
style CW, they won’t bother, and will go back to SSB. 
We need to accommodate the vastly different abilities
of CW ops.  This is not the ARRL DX Contest!

I do CW the old way.  I copy it myself and send with a
paddle.  The usage of computers ruins the whole
concept.  If you are going to do this, why not just
use PACTOR or something?  

I sincerely hope that all ops who do CW for the QSO
will utilize common sense and not try to set any speed
records.  If I hear that, I will not even attempt to
work you, period!  

I am not trying to be critical of anyone, I just feel
that we must adapt to change or be left in the dust. 
I want the QSO to be enjoyed by all, plus it doesn’t
hurt to add a few more QSO’s to the log.

Jim
N3PBH


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