+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ See also Learning CW CW Sending +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 14:45:19 +1300 From: "Ron Willcocks" Subject: [Elecraft] K2 and TEST mode Hi all, I have been practicing on the hand key here for a "straight key" night coming up as a National contest (and I need the practice,believe me)......anyway I have been putting the K2 into TEST mode and using the sidetone. I notice when I come out of TEST mode , sometimes the rig will key up with power out , and other times I have to push the TUNE button to get it to transmit. I take it this is normal behaviour???? I am asking "those who never sleep"on this reflector rather than try wading through the manual again! Probably quicker.... Cheers......Ron ZL1TW ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2000 23:31:41 -0700 From: Phil Barnes-Roberts AD6PQ Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Aaargh! Improving my CW proficiency Thanks, guys -- I'm saving these posts in Notepad; a gold mine of endorsements for - well, for what, exactly? PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE seems to be the common thread. Remember "Dance like nobody's watching"? Well, SEND LIKE NOBODY'S LISTENING! Like it's just more practice. The new chum on the other end will understand, since he's been there, done that, too! I once did a Google search < http://www.google.com > for "Morse Code" and came up with a fascinating site, run by N1IRZ Dave Finley, of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Socorro, NM. (BTW, Dave had a nice article in a recent QST, but that's another story.) He talks about being frustrated for years with trying to learn code with all the stumbling blocks helpful Elmers like to put in your kit, and being one of the first No-Code Techs; then coming across mention in the psychological literature about the pre-WWII 1936 code-teaching research of Dr. Koch in Germany (naturally deprecated during and after that War.) Koch's method encouraged him, though, and worked where nothing else had. The key seems to be to _start_ learning at the _full_speed_ you will want to use, like 20WPM. Just learn _two_characters_, and when you reach 90% accuracy, add another character (he gives a suggested sequence for this.) You have constant reinforcement (you _are_ learning at the full speed) and you can gauge your progress (in char/week, etc.) towards your goal. Most importantly - MAKE time in your busy daily schedule (wedge it in between other items; it'll fit!) to do fifteen or twenty minutes once, or better, twice a day. That's short enough to prevent smoke from the ears, and long enough to get some exercise. You're training a reflex, just like an athlete trains muscles. At times, I could go back and kick the MARS operators in Twentynine Palms who Elmered me to my Novice in '59, but suspect that they didn't know any better, either, than to teach me certain (no, I won't repeat them) "mnemonic" words, with the rhythms of a couple of letters I _still_ confuse and trip over. Find Dave's site at < http://www.ees.nmt.edu/sara/sara/finley.morse.html >, and N0HFF William Pierpont's free online book, _The_Art_And_Skill_of_ Radio-Telegraphy at < http://www.joates.demon.co.uk/megs/N0HFF/ > which also contains an appendix about the Koch method. Now: a question; anybody have a good method for getting the current crop of No-Code Techs up to speed for their upgrade test, given that they aren't going to be together in a room every day? I'm thinking of maybe a net that can be held on the local 2M repeater, or even simplex, with MCW through their handhelds. Ideas? 73, Phil Barnes-Roberts AD6PQ < Mailto: pbarnrob at acm.org > Cybersmith; Computers Tamed, Knights Trained, Dragons Quelled, Maidens Rescued | Voice: 626-791-0851 Opinions=Cash Value $0.02; Not Redeemable for Merchandise. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------------------------------ Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 06:40:27 -0500 From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] Aaargh! Improving my CW proficiency Hi Mark: (Please understand that my comments which follow come from a 'confirmed' CW operator of 40 (or so) years, so I'm pretty heavily biased in favor of CW... they are my OPINIONS!!!!! So take them for what little they may be worth.) >Thank you for the words of inspiration on CW speed...I'm stuck at 10 WPM >and really do want to increase my speed... snip... Another Ham told me to >put the >microphone away for a month or two, and just have the paddles in line. Your friend is RIGHT! When you are in pursuit of a goal, particularly one which requires a dedicated effort, it doesn't hurt to be fairly 'single-minded' in your pursuit. Putting the mic/or PSK31 adapter away for a period of time won't hurt. When you are 'working' toward a goal, if you are the type of person who is easily 'distracted' or easily discouraged from what may appear to be a worthless expense of effort (e.g. studying), the fewer distractions you have at your disposal, the easier it will be to stay 'on course'. Learning CW is probably 95% mental! And it requires a significant amount of CONCENTRATION (your brain is working really hard here). There are several 'plateaus' in learning CW: 1) The dreaded 10 WPM BARRIER - This is the first plateau. And it's usually the one where we separate the folks who REALLY WANT to learn CW from those who may have some reservations and are looking for a reason to NOT learn it. At this point, we are fairly sure we 'know' all the Morse characters, but we still lack much confidence in our abilities. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, when we begin to learn Morse Code, most of us count (at least mentally, if not out loud) the DITs and DAHs, form them into a Morse element, THEN into a letter, and finally WRITE that letter down. At least 3-4 distinct conversions before the character is actually put to paper. The 10 WPM 'barrier' is the point where you HAVE to switch from trying to count DITs/DAHs and resign yourself to actually 'hearing' most of the character as a sound. You still must mentally convert what you hear BACK to a DIT/DAH combination and then into the actual letter character, but once you pass though the 10 WPM level you should have conquered the 'counting' stage. You have eliminates one of the conversions, and thus your speed increases one step. 2) The 16-18 WPM Barrier - This is the point at which we have to switch from hearing the sound and converting to DIT/DAHs, to hearing the sound and converting it (more or less) directly to the Morse character prior to writing it down (or prior to storing it in our head, to make a complete word, e.g. 'head copy'). At this point, you are beginning to copy whole words, usually the shorter words, but 'words' nonetheless. 3) The 22-24 WPM Barrier - This is usually a 'mini'-barrier, and it will come and go without you specifically noticing it UNTIL you are 'doing' it. It's the point at which you can no longer write/print rapidly enough to permit you to put everything down on paper. You have also learned to hear the sound and convert it DIRECTLY into the character... NO other conversions. THIS is the point at which your brain really takes over and allows you to start performing REAL HEAD COPY... where you have only to write down the 'important' points in a conversation, because you are copying virtually everything else in your head... instead of copying letters, you are now copying whole phrases and sentences! AND you are actually RETAINING the information long enough to make complete sense of it. >... Sometimes I'm just plain "scared" of calling or answering a CQ - >afraid of looking (sounding) stupid. Been there... done that... GOT THE T-SHIRT!!! I was first licensed at the age of 14. I was scared spitless the first (several) dozen times I called CQ... hoping that the Lord would allow me to get through my CW without my heard beating out of my chest... and hoping against hope that NO ONE would answer my CW, because I'd then have to COPY what was sent!!! God shined his face on me! My antenna situation was such that I probably had little RF actually getting into the ether, so I made MANY CQs before actually getting my first response. You should see my first 2-3 log pages as a Novice... they are pitiful! I almost died when I finally got a response to my CQ... a new ham, list myself, just 120 miles away. Fortunately, we were BOTH scared, so we were (barely) able to exchange signal reports, name/QTH, and signed off before we had to actually begin thinking about what to say. At that time, I still had a 'cheat sheet' sitting right next to my handkey. It had all of the Morse characters, neatly printed out in DITs and DAHs, and then the alphabetic translation right next to it, for use when I went brain dead and had to find a letter I couldn't remember. I did this because I had learned Morse Code in absolutely the WORST manner possible!!! I had learned to look at the dots and dashes and convert them into characters, instead of learning to HEAR the SOUND of eachcharacter and to convert it into a character. So I had to perform yet one more conversion (hear the sound, convert it to DIT/DAH sound, COUNT the DITs and DAHs, convert it to a character, write it down). My first 20-30 faltering QSOs must have been sheer Hell on the fellows on the other end. I cannot imagine what I must have put them through. But... THEY STAYED WITH ME REGARDLESS. I was always afraid that I would terribly embarrass myself, but I kept going nonetheless. I made a LOT of errors, but most of the time, the fellas on the other end hung in there, copying what I 'meant' to send, instead of what I probably sent, and sometimes offering gentle hints and help to assist me to get past what at that time was termed my 'Novice Accent', the little things we new operators do to tell others that we are just learning the ropes. If you are a new CW operator and you are NOT afraid when you first get on the air, then you are probably DEAD and don't know it! It is nautral for you to be afraid... but that fear will quickly disappear as you get more QSOs under your belt, and so you develop your ability to copy AND send CW more effortlessly. It just takes work and dedication to the job... at least until you become fluent in your new language. At that point though it will be sheer joy. >And lately I'm on a bit of a PSK31 kick...I suppose just another diversion >from concentrating on CW - HI. See opinion #xxx, above, regarding CONCENTRATION...! >So, you have provided technical assistance before (K2 #874) and now >operating help as well. Thank you for your kind comment. >The hobby needs many more like you!! Oh... there are MANY others out there!!! And a LOT MORE EXPERIENCED THAN I. Just WATCH as you grow! The important thing is to SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE as YOU grow and learn. There will always be folks that you can (hopefully) help, and passing on what you have learned is part of the HAM RADIO TRADITION. 73 - Tom Hammond N0SS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subject: Re: [Elecraft] s h 5 hi Toby, try the following: crank up char. speed to 16 wpm and overall speed to 12 wpm. start with two chars: K and M. when you can copy them 90 % OK, that's after you learned to write fast enough -hi-, add N R S U A P T L U W I period J E F O Y comma V G 5 / Q 9 2 H 3 8 B ? 4 2 7 C 1 D 6 X (BT) (SK) (AR), each time you reached 90 % correct copy. This is the "Koch" method of learning CW, i'm abt on a third of the haul, had a dip as well, but more recently the scary experience of writing down the characters without beeing concious(?) of doeing so, brrrrrr..... Totally flunked the rest of the 5 minute excercise as i was so overwhelmed and busy to "recap and check" those chars. Browse around for Koch and Dave Finley N1IRZ on the web and read his opinions on "slow code" while you're at it. Good Luck ! 73 Leo PE1OBG #1194 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 00:33:38 EDT From: N2EY at aol.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 150 Khz In a message dated 5/31/01 5:22:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time, kd6msi at usa.com writes: > I have never done CW before, and am currently learning the code. GREAT! Here sre some resources that may help: For learning the code: http://primera.tamu.edu/people/TAES/mgautreaux/code1.html and see what N1IRZ has to say. Also check out: http://www.joates.demon.co.uk/megs/N0HFF/contents.htm for an excellent online book on the subject, and http://www.ah0a.org for code learning shareware The above authors say it much better than I can. > Can someone > experienced on the HF bands in CW tell me; Is 150 Khz of bandwidth (the > capability of the K1) enough or am I going to be wishing I had more tuning > range right off the bat? Most CW activity is clustered in the lowest 100 kHz of the band. 160, 80 and 10 meters are possible exceptions, but the K1 does not cover 160 or 10 meters anyway. 40 is a great band to start on - my favorite. There is no need to cover the 'phone band segments at all, if CW is your interest. > Two Bands suits me fine for the price, but only if > the tuning range of the K1 is adaquate. My only experience in ten years has > been in VHF phone, and a radio that limited you to tuning 150 Khz in VHF > would be fairly useless (even assuming simplex only useage). See above. The 9 HF/MF ham bands, all put together, are only 3.75 Mhz - less than any one VHF/UHF band, except 222-225. > > My assumption is that CW is a horse of a different color, and that 150 Khz > does not represent a "crippled" radio, two bands of use not withstanding. > You are correct, sir! Which two bands do you prefer? 73 de Jim, N2EY +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2001 16:32:25 -0400 From: "Francis Belliveau" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW - to paddle or not to paddle? Statements about paddles being high priced are true enough to have scared me off for a long time. However, there are some available for less than $100. You will need to judge these for yourself relative to a used set for $50.00. Here are some that I know of: The mini-palm is only $70.00 plus $10.00 shipping and up to $10.00 for mounting hardware. That's a total of $90.00; yes it is close. Check out http://www.morsex.com/palm/ I like mine a lot. The Paddlette Co. has reduced size paddles for less than #100.00. Check out http://paddlette.com/index.htm There is also the Bulldog mini-key for $30.00. It looks a bit tiny. Check out http://www.amateurradioproducts.com/h_BD2_p1.html G4ZPY also has a model under $100.00. Check out http://website.lineone.net/~g4zpy/index.htm As far as the reduced size models go there are others that can better speak to learning on these than I can. However, I would expect that you would be better off with something close to full height and spacing so that it fits comfortably between your finger and thumb. Again good luck with learning. I know you will have fun. 73, Fran ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2001 09:41:58 -0600 From: "Ferguson, Kevin" Subject: [Elecraft] RE: CW - to paddle or not to paddle I have read the article you refer to. It seems the author's intent is to make a super CW-contester out of you. While contesters are in general the second best class of CW-ops I've known. (best were traffic handlers) Not everyone is interested in big time DXing or contesting. I hear many straight keys on the bands, and an occassional bug. 18 WPM or so is common speed for rag chewing (yes, I often hear many much faster) and you can do that with a straight key, no problem. To paraphrase that author: "you will eventually be using a keyer, or keyboard, so you might as well start with one" ....this makes no sense to me. Following the same reasoning: "We want this pilot to eventually fly an F-16, so starting him out in this trainer is just a waste of time."....clearly nonsense. Just because there is a little re-learning required to advance to the next level of equipment does not mean that the simpler device didn't teach important skills...and in some cases those skills will never be mastered on the more complex machine. The only fist I've worked recently that I could not copy very well was from a fellow who was bicycle mobile (at least that's what I got out the QLF). The problem was he kept leaving gaps in a lot of his letters I'd copy IN when he meant to send F for example....maybe that was when he'd hit a bump. I think knowing how to use a straight-key helps you copy a less-than-perfect fist, and certainly makes you more forgiving when you know how hard the fellow on the other end is trying to send perfect code. There is something about hand-formed code that clues you in to what the other fellow meant, even when the timing was a little off....and the third time you hear the same "quirk" in a qso, it becomes a signature of that op, and I smile when I hear it rather than wince. A sloppy straight key fist is MUCH less irritating to me than a sloppy hand on the keyer. Keyers DO NOT insure perfect code.They will happily send an extra, albeit perfectly formed, dit or dah. They will happily run all the letters of a word togethor. They will allow you to send much faster than you can copy. They will allow you to run an endless "CQ tape" and ignore the three stations who are calling. Also, when pounding a straight key, it is natural to slow down a little when sending a difficult or unusual word (like "albuquerque", or "resistor")...this helps the fellow copying too...in this case the "sloppy" straight key code might be easier to copy than "perfect" keyer stuff. If you can send clean code on one straight key, you can send code on almost any other key without much trouble. The same can't be said of keyers, paddles, or bugs....though if you can use a straight key, you can use a bug by "straight-keying" on the dash side. I was once fortunate to guest operate at 4U1VIC...they had only a mode-B keyer, that I was unable to use. We could set it to "bug" mode, though, so I "straight-keyed" on the dash paddle. The next day John Oakberg recalled a box-full of old straight keys that the Austrian Army had donated to the club, and made me a present of one....It is a rather unique key, and is a wonderful suvenier of operating that "dream" station. My ability to send at passible DX speed on a straight key literally saved the day for me.Yes it was only one incident, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime oportunity that would have slipped away otherwise. IMO, it is much easier to learn to send CW on a straight key, than learning to copy. I agree that straight key sending helps your copying...I think it helps you to focus on the rythem of the letters...I also think it helps when the other fellows fist is a little off, or when conditions are obliterating part of the signal. At beginning speeds, certainly, a straight key is no handicap....and will serve you well. You can tape your sending, play it back a few days later (when you have forgotten what the text was) and see how well you can copy your own fist....however, if you could find a partner to take turns sending/recieving with, this is the best...if you can get into a bit of a friendly competition, it will do wonders for both your sending and receiving. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2001 19:59:58 -0700 From: nr1ss Subject: [Elecraft] CW Get -- Morse Pgm Wanted to let you know about a cw copy program called "CW GET" that is pretty good for getting your speed up. There's also one called "CW TYPE" or in my case "CW TYPO". Both are try-before-you-buy-ware and are located at www.dxsoft.com All you need is a SoundBlaster(tm) or clone and a cable to your rx. It seems to work very well copying machine generated code (7.1Mc and W1AW). I found that the XFIL setting and AGC has a significant effect on its ability to copy. Try using FIL4 and slow agc if you get a strong signal. I have no financial or emotional interest in dxsoft,7.1Mc, or W1AW. (Well, maybe a little emotional interest in W1AW). Hope you find it worthwhile, David nr1ss ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 18:57:45 -0500 From: "Roy Dancy" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Get -- Morse Pgm Hi y'all I have both of these programs and can only highly recommend them. Worth every bit of the little they want. 73 y'all RoY N4AN - ----- Original Message ----- From: nr1ss To: Elecraft Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 9:59 PM Subject: [Elecraft] CW Get -- Morse Pgm > Wanted to let you know about a cw copy program called "CW GET" that is > pretty good for getting your speed up. There's also one called "CW TYPE" --- snip --- > > David > nr1ss +++++++++++++++++++== Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2001 09:19:51 -0500 From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] The Are & Skill of Radio Telegraphy Greetings to all Elecrafters: I recently saw a note come thru on the CQ-Contest Reflector regarding a chapter out of a book on CW. The note specifically referenced Chapter 11 on High Speed CW. Being a CW nut (among other types of 'nut' ats well), and having read chapter 11, I enjoyed it enough that I thought those CW afficionados here on the Elecraft reflector might enjoy reading the entire book which can be downloaded, in several different formats, from http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm Enjoy. Tom Hammond N0SS ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 14:09:29 -0600 From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: [Elecraft] DO NOT READ if you don't like contests! Brian Jones (G0UKB) wrote:: >Just to say that solely due to John AA2BN in off-lne emails re >CQWW SSB and Tom's (N0SS) latest exhortations on the list here >- I hope to be 'taking part in' CQWW CW later this month - my first >ever CW contest and my first real foray into the world of CW >operating (apart from about half a dozen contacts over the last 8 >years) > >I figure there's got to be folks down as low as 20wpm and below >who will be sending reports often enough for me to get callsign and >zone if I listen long enough. Good for you, pal! (I can hear Lou, W7DZN, shuddering now ). Remember, the higher in the band you go, the better your chances of finding slower stations. So start at the top of the CW band and work your way DOWN until you get to the point that everyone is WAY above your head. Also remember that you're NEW to this, and it WILL be frustrating (guaranteed) at first. I was for me, and it's going to be for you (and others) as well... if severe frustration sets in, take a break... calm down, resolve to continue, and then... CONTINUE. You're doing this not only to improve your proficiency, but also for FUN... but the fun will come a bit later, once you relax and drop into your style of operating. You certainly don't have to put in a LOT of time, but try to work no less than 8-10 contacts at a 'sitting'... ALWAYS(!) get the other guy's complete exchange BEFORE you call/work him... he just may QSY immediately following your contact and you'll have no way to copy more of his info if you don't already have it ON PAPER. Unless you have a KILLER signal, don't bother calling CQ until the last 1/2 of the contest period, where everyone is looking for 'new blood' from 'casual' ops who just get on the air to "give out a few Q's". PRACTICE your S&P (Search 'n Pounce) technique!!! This is CRUCIAL for low-power/QRP stations... especially during the first part of the 'feeding frenzy'. I didn't do this until 38 YEARS after I began contesting and that's a shame. I 'came up' in contesting, doing 90% CQing and 'running them' with QRO and decent antennas. As a result I never learned good technique for S&P. This hobbled me at the start when I began QRP contesting, because (in most instances) the QRP station will make 75% or more of his Q's in S&P mode. In the CW SS I made 596 Q's, only 128 (215) of which were from CQing, and ALL of which were made in the final 10 hours of the contest. The EXCHANGE in this contest is SIGNAL REPORT and CW ZONE. You appear to be in ZONE 14. Sooo... listen for the other station to send "599 xx" or "5NN xx", where "xx" is HIS CQ zone number. In turn, you will send him an RST (usually defaulted to "599" or "5NN") plus "14". It is becoming more common for operators, in an effort to minimize ANY unnecessary effort, to use "cut numbers". Cut numbers are abbreviated forms of the number, expressed as LETTERS: 0 = T 1 = A 2 = U 9 = N Generally all the other numbers are send as numbers, but "5NN T4" means "599 04". The cut numbers for zero and 9 will be the most frequently used. However, in contests where the exchange is RST and POWER, you will often hear a station send "5NN ATT" for "599 100", or even "5NN TTT" or "5NN K" for "599 1000". >Must play with K2 CW memories to get nice cleanly spaced callsign and sig >report too. I probably need to find a couple of nice slow stations to >start to ensure I can understand contesting protocol. The protocol is pretty easy: Listen for a station calling CQ, or working another station. Make sure you are listening to the station who is OCCUPYING the frequency, rather than the transient op who works him and then moves on immediately! Once you have settled on the 'resident' of the freq., copy his exchange, which I'll guarantee will NOT change from contact to contact. When he finishes a CQ, dump your callsign in ONE time. And see if he responds to you. If he does, you're home free. If not, you try again. If he seems to be working station very rapidly, there's a good chance that he has a good opening into wherever it is he's working and your QRP signal may have a more difficult time of getting his attention since you'll be head-to-head with the BIG BOYZ! In this case, try to find someone calling CQ and NOT getting a reply every time. He's the guy who will be listening for the weaker stations! If the other station does respond to your call, he will (should) give your call and then his exchange, which you will (probably) have written down. If you copy the exchange the first time, you're in great shape. However, BEFORE you send him YOUR exchange, ALWAYS make sure that you get ALL of HIS exchange FIRST! Keep asking until you get it, even if he is forced to QRS!!! Once you have his exchange, send "TU", his call, and your exchange. Then stick around to confirm that he acknowledged receipt (usually, "QSL" or "TU" will be sent, but in some instances, he will just start CQing again). If he's missing anything, he'll ask for "NR", "ZONE", "AGN?", or merely "?". The first two are obvious, BOTH of the last two indicate a request for a complete repeat of both NR and ZONE. NEVER be embarrassed to send "PSE QRS" to anyone. The worse they can do is send "NO" and blow you off...it's THEIR LOSS, not yours! Most ops are bright enough to still remember their beginning days and will be courteous enough to QRS for you WITHOUT being asked. But it doesn't hurt to remind them, if necessary. Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask... if I know the answer it's your's if not, I'll not try to B.S. my way through an answer. 73 - Tom N0SS ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2001 13:05:18 +0100 From: DK3RED at t-online.de (Ingo, DK3RED) Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Iambic A and B and learning to use paddles Hallo Toby, Look at Chuck's (K7QO) homepage. You will find a good course for squeezing. http://www.qsl.net/k7qo/sending.html ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD" To: Cc: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 14:19:44 -0500 I agree with Lou. The best way to boost your code speed, and to develop an appreciation for CW, is to get on the air with it. You may discover a skill that will bring a lifetime of enjoyment. -----Original Message----- From: lhlousek To: Kirby Davis ; elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 2:07 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options ><need to be with code.>> > >Sounds more like a reason NOT to get the SSB option ;-) > +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 16:26:27 -0500 From: "David A. Belsley" To: Kirby Davis , elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options Kirby: First, congrats on the general. Second, I'll let others respond to your questions, and only point out: > I'm currently trying to decide upon what options to order along with the > basic K2. I know that I'm going to get the SSB since I'm not yet where I > need to be with code. You are going to have a much harder, if not impossible, time getting to "where you want to be with code" if you don't use it and use it a lot. Once established doing SSB, it is much less likely you will progress with code. Of course, if that's "where you want to be with code," then that's a different story. If, however, you really want code, then get the code related stuff for the K2 and do it. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy +++++++++++++++++ From: To: "Kirby J. Davis" , "Elecraft Reflector" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW assistance needed Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2003 18:42:45 -0700 Kirby - My suggestion would be to use the Code Master program listed below to get familiar with the letters http://www.mtechnologies.com/cm5.htm and join the Fists club and get a Fists Code Buddy. http://www.fists.org/ That's what I did to got "over the hump". As soon as you know the letters I think QSO's are the best way to learn. I've only been at it two years and run at about 22wpm (don't get enough practice time with work and all!) - but there are others on this list who are unbelievable cw ops - listen to them - they know what they are talking about!!! Good luck and 73/Tim NZ7C ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kirby J. Davis" To: "Elecraft Reflector" Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 6:36 PM Subject: [Elecraft] CW assistance needed OK, I'm turning to you pros again. Now that I've had the enjoyment of building my K2 and operating SSB, I've decided that I want to try CW. The problem is that I haven't operated any CW since the mid 1980's, and that was only at the 5 wpm necessary to pass my initial Novice exam. Sooo... to encourage and motivate myself I purchased one of K8RA's beautiful paddles (see the praise of this paddle on eham.net if you haven't already) and it just came in. Now I have a great rig, great paddle, and an operator that doesn't know how to use it! Any assistance, resources, etc. that any of you could provide regarding (1) (re)learning Morse code, (2) learning how to use an iambic paddle, and (3) learning how to use this paddle with the K2's keyer and CW features (beyond what is in the manual) would be greatly appreciated. I've already downloaded and plan to use G4FON's free software (Koch) in learning the code. Blessings and 73! ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 09 Jan 2003 23:15:50 +1300 From: Ron Willcocks To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Morse Tutoring Program Hi all, Just my 2 cents worth regarding Morse Tutoring Programs that run under Windows. Here in New Zealand, Doctor Gary Bold ZL1AN wrote a Morse Tutoring program for Windows that uses the PC's sound card , and has two levels of learning. The first one is letter identification where the computer sends a letter, you recognise it by the sound, and enter it on the keyboard. If you get it right the program sends the next letter. If you make an error the program writes the missed letter to screen. The second level has text sending from a library of texts. The farnsworth speed is adjustable and so is the speed. The program is free and is available on the NZART web site at http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/Exam/morse.html (Fixed as below ... dwn) The program has a comprehensive HELP file. Appologies to all if this isn't strictly "Elecraft" orientated, but any help for K2 owners brushing up on their Morse is worth mentioning I imagine? Cheers......Ron ZL1TW +++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 09:23:20 -0600 (CST) From: Juerg Tschirren To: Ron Willcocks Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Morse Tutoring Program It looks like that link should be http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/Exam/morse.html Nice program. I just gave it a try (got it to run under Linux with the help of the Windows emulator "Wine" without problem). Juerg --... ...-- -.. . -. ----- .--. .--. On Thu, 9 Jan 2003, Ron Willcocks wrote: > Hi all, > Just my 2 cents worth regarding Morse Tutoring Programs that run > under Windows. > Here in New Zealand, Doctor Gary Bold ZL1AN wrote a Morse Tutoring program > for Windows that uses the PC's sound card , and has two levels of learning. -- snip -- +++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 08:47:21 +1300 From: Ron Willcocks To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Morse TUTOR ...incorrect URL Hi Folk, Sorry for inconvenience....the URL for the ZL1AN Morse TUTOR program should have been http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/exam/morse.html My appologies..... and thanks to those who corrected me. 73.....Ron ZL1TW ++++++++++++++++++