[R-390] Follow-up on CW/SMS Battle on Tonight Show Friday 13th!

[pete wokoun, sr.]

This was copied from the HI Ham list:

>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"