+++++++++++++++ From: "Dick van Kuppevelt" To: Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 23:13:24 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Paddle practice I am trying to learn to use a paddle and want to be prepared before going on the air. Is there a program for the PC where I can connect the paddle and practice my CW. I have a bencher. 73 de PA3BPV, Dick K2#1959 +++++++++++++++++ From: "Terry Kniffen" To: Subject: [Elecraft] Paddle practice Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 17:40:05 -0500 Hi Dick - Just connect your bencher to your K2, select your choice of Iambic Mode A or B on the menu, plug the K2 into a dummy load and practice til your hearts content. Good idea. That's what I'm doing, too. 73 Terry KF4FD ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 22:48:11 +0000 To: Dick van Kuppevelt Cc: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: David Pratt Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Paddle practice In a recent message, Dick van Kuppevelt said.... >I am trying to learn to use a paddle and want to be prepared before going on >the air. Is there a program for the PC where I can connect the paddle and >practice my CW. I have a bencher. You could put your K2 in TEST mode by pressing and holding the MODE button while in CW mode. You can then key away without radiating. 73 de David G4DMP ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 14:47:59 -0800 (PST) From: Jessie Oberreuter To: Terry Kniffen Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Paddle practice On Wed, 13 Feb 2002, Terry Kniffen wrote: > Just connect your bencher to your K2, select your choice of Iambic Mode A or > B on the menu, plug the K2 into a dummy load and practice til your hearts > content. Good idea. That's what I'm doing, too. The K1 has the P-0 mode, most modern rigs will tone but not key unless you set a break-in mode, older rigs may tone but not key in ssb mode, most external keyers have a side-tone option, etc., but if you don't have any of these, you might look at TRLOG. I haven't used it yet, but I thought I saw a built in keyer in the feature list and there is a trial version avail. for download. Prolly involves wiring your key to the computer's serial port. -- Jessie Oberreuter joberreu at moselle.com "He's a bit on edge, Mr. Johnston -- he hasn't slept since 1945." +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 17:59:09 -0500 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: kb1dxc Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Paddle practice You could use CW Get, plug the paddles into the K2, use mode test and CW Get will read your sending if you are sending well. It will also put up the dots and dashes if you make a mistake. Mike KB1DXC +++++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Thor, n9ik" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Paddle practice Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 17:04:45 -0600 On the K1, there's a setting that sets output power to "0" so the radio doesn't transmit. It's specifically so you don't transmit while doing things - like practicing, or inputting your memory - with your paddles. Doesn't the K2 have this feature? I built an inexpensive keyer, mainly to practice with, AND I can use it with my other HF rig which doesn't have a keyer built in. But that is just icing on the cake - I built it to practice with before the K1 came. - Thor, N9IK ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Dick van Kuppevelt" To: Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 01:11:16 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] Paddle practice THANK YOU Hello again, Thank you for all your advice, I did put the K2 in test-mode, connected the headphone-jack with the soundcard and while running CW-get I can do my practice. And with the help of the article from K5FO : Iambic sending I am on my way. Thanks again all. And I enjoy my K2#1959, building went without much problems (ok, I sometimes forgot to read the manual) 73 de PA3BPV, Dick ++++++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Thor, n9ik" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Paddle practice Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 18:49:30 -0600 MRX has a Transmit training and practice mode that you use with your straight key or iambic paddles connected to your computer. The help files even have diagrams for cabling to connect the key to either the game port or a serial port. www.mrx.com.au Haven't done it, I just remembered that I had downloaded several morse training packages a while back. I checked the apps & found that this one does what you want. It also looks like CwType will do it. I'm sure there are others.... - Thor, N9IK ++++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Ferguson, Kevin" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 11:37:22 -0700 Subject: [Elecraft] Paddle practice If you plan to use the built-in keyer, then I STRONGLY recommend that you practice ONLY with the rig itself, either in test (K2) or P0 (K1) mode. There can be slight differences in the way keyers are implimented, and your unconcious mind may come to expect one quirk, and not another. Changing keyers can sure mess you up, and sometimes your concious mind can't even figure out what the difference is....you'll just be making mistakes, and not know why. Even if you can figure out the difference, it may not help much. Sending CW needs to be instinctive, it doesn't work right at all if you have to think about it. Yes, you have to think at first, but if you are still thinking then you are not ready to go on the air with a keyer yet. As soon as you start thinking about WHAT you are sending, you will stop thinking about HOW you are sending, and start making mistakes...unless you have trained your unconscios to handle that part for you.. I am aware of what I consider to be a major difference between my K2's mode A implimentation, and my outboard keyer which uses a curtiss mode-A chip. Also, there are noticeable differences between the timing in "live" mode and keyer memory entry on the K2. -73- ko0b +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Rick Shindley" To: Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 12:53:14 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW practice > Just connect your bencher to your K2, select your choice of > Iambic Mode A or > B on the menu, plug the K2 into a dummy load and practice til your hearts > content. Good idea. That's what I'm doing, too. > I have been practicing CW with my K2 directly connected to an antenna. I place the rig in the "test" mode by holding down the "mode" button when the cw mode is selected. No RF goes out and the receiver still works, so you can QSK as if you were in the conversation. (I verified no RF goes out just now with my wattmeter before writing this!) It's a good way to settle your nerves before making your first contact. Rick KC0OV K2 1360 ++++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: "WA5PB" From: "WA5PB" To: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 CW practice Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 07:57:33 -0600 I agree, when put in test mode, the K2 works as a gem dandy code practice ocilator. It is a good way to warm up the fist and work out the nerves before getting on the air. Just remember to go back to operating mode before CQing or you'll wonder why no one is answering! (yes, the voice of experiece is speaking......) 73 WA5PB Bill Allen K2#1068 +++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Dan Barker" To: "Elecraft" Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW practice Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 10:18:55 -0500 Another excellent practice idea is to back up your copy with an audio = line to CWGet, or some such code reader on your PC or Laptop. Put it out = of your line-of-sight, but copying the code. It forces you to zero-beat = the other station (besides helping with that - Set the Auto Goto Max and = AFC off, then click right on your spot tone. Then, when the XYL asks a question and you miss three words in a row, = right before the dog pees on you power supply and you chase him off and = miss the next 5 words, you can still answer the questions of the QSO = (it's even possible that you might actually miss some words with no = distractions - Naaaa. That never happens). This accomplishes three interrelated things. 1) You don't feel like an idiot for not copying clear, loud, = uninterrupted code, 2) Due to 1, you have LOTS more confidence to work on the edge of your = copying ability, and that stretches that edge faster, and 3) Due to 1 and 2, you operate more and say QSM es QRS lots less. All around good stuff, you think? Dan / WG4S / K2 2456 ++++++++++++++++++++++ From: DolfinDon at aol.com Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 11:01:54 EST Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 CW practice To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Hi MRX is a computer program for code instruction. One of the features of this program is a code sending practice mode. With an adapter cable you can plug your key or paddles into the com port of the computer and the program will read the code sent from the key. The program also has several code learning and receiving practice modes including adding noise to simulate QRM. Also on this site is an audio spectrum analyzer and a program to send Morse code over the Internet for practice. Information and Shareware at: http://www.mrx.com.au/ Normal disclaimers apply. Just a customer Don Brown KD5NDB +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Dan Barker" To: "Elecraft" Subject: [Elecraft] K2 CW practice Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 11:21:16 -0500 Remember the warning about Mode A and Mode B being "flexible" standards. = Use your rig to practice. Hold VOX for TEST mode. The keying software = may differ from the PC to the K2 and you don't want to have to unlearn = anything. I had the dickens of a time getting my keyer to behave using = Mode A. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, but mode B fixed it, so I = don't need to know! Below 10 wpm, it probably doesn't matter but as you progress, the subtle = differences may drive you batty. CwGet can read the sidetone off an = audio feed. I have a 470 ohm resistor and an RCA jack on the back of my = speaker, which connects to my laptop with a standard PC audio cable = (pick either RCA plug, the software doesn't require Stereo!). Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456 +++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Francis Belliveau" To: "Dick van Kuppevelt" Cc: "K2 List" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Paddle practice THANK YOU Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 08:10:06 -0500 On:Wednesday, February 13, 2002 7:11 PM "Dick van Kuppevelt" wrote: > ... And with the help of the article from K5FO : Iambic sending I am > on my way. Thanks again all. > Dick, I apologize for being so far behind in my email. I am not familiar with the K5FO article you are speaking of. There is a very good tutorial by K7QO on the web at http://www.qsl.net/k7qo/ if you scroll down his page far enough you will find a links to Online Code Course one of which is "Learning to send". This is also a good tutorial on using a paddle. Please tell me how to access the article you mention by K5FO. Thanks, Fran +++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Ed Rowan, AC5DC" To: "K2 List" Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 12:34:42 -0600 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Paddle practice THANK YOU Reply-To: ac5dc at amsat.org Chuck Adams changed his call from K5FO to K7QO when he moved from Texas to Arizona. Both references are about the same article. 73, Ed, AC5DC Greenwood, AR K2 #1230 ++++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Dick van Kuppevelt" To: "Francis Belliveau" Cc: "K2 List" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Paddle practice THANK YOU Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 18:47:33 +0100 Fran, Thank you for your mail, here is the adress of the article I mentioned earlier: http://www.morsecode.dutch.nl/iambic.PDF I learned to work with a strait key, and now I want to use a paddle, the right way, with my K2. 73 de PA3BPV, Dick. ++++++++++++++++++++++