+ CW COMMUNICATIONS ON THE AIR -
“Last week we talked about OVER LEARNING THE LETTERS. I hope you
have found tapes or records with which to practice the code.
It is very important to practice the mixed groups over and over until
your right brain has instant recognition of each letter. I can not over stress
at this time: do not write anything down. Speed comes automatically.
Learning to write down the letters and words will be included in this article
later.
Now some have heard the very high speed operators on the air at 20 to 35
words per minute, well most of the operators are not writing the words down.
They are using conversation CW, in other words they listen, and respond like
talking.
Our main interest is to teach all operators to handle traffic, and also
some operator training for rag chewing. Most traffic is handled at around 10 to
18 words per minute. (you can send and receive traffic at 5 words per minute
also).
Do not run out and buy a keyer, you can do an excellent job sending CW
with a straight key. To use the keyer you should be very comfortable sending and
receiving at 18 to 25 words per minute. Yes you can send slow with the
keyer, and if you can send good code, use the keyer.
Now I want to begin a practice of working with the left brain. That
is, writing down a few words and numbers. This will be accomplished with a QSO
(on the air contact).
To begin, let us adjust the hand key. There is a proper way to set
the key. It is best to have the key mounted to the table, however a large board
will work if you can make the key stationary. The key should be about 18
inches from the edge of the table. Adjust the space between the two
contact points, the distance between the contact points in the
"key-up" positions is from 1/32 inch to 1/16 inch. Place a dime
between the contacts and adjust for this thickness (about 1/32 inch). When you
are more experienced you may change this setting some, but let's start here for
now.
The final adjustment is the tension of the spring. The spring tension should be
adjusted that the contact points separate as soon as the pressure on the key
knob is released. If the spring is too tight the sending will appear to be
choppy. Begin sending a series of dits, do not grasp the knob
too tightly. Keep your wrist flexible and allow it to bob up and down
during sending. Keep your elbow on the table, not up in the air. IT
IS YOUR WRIST THAT ALWAYS DOES THE WORK IN SENDING, NOT YOUR FINGERS OR ARM. Do
not try to send too fast, you want accuracy and good spacing. With practice you
will develop a rhythm, and your sending will be very easy to
copy.
The QSO (contact on the air), this will be the initial contact (first
contact). You hear a station calling CQ. Here is a sample QSO, if I were
calling for a contact with any station...
I would send: CQ CQ CQ DE K7DXV K7DXV K
You would answer: K7DXV DE (YOUR CALL) K
Then I would reply: (YOUR CALL) DE K7DXV TNX FER CALL BT YOUR RST 599 BT
QTH KLAMATH FALLS OR BT NAME IS ED ED BT HW COPY? K
You would reply with: K7DXV DE (YOUR CALL) R ED BT YOUR RST IS 599 BT QTH
(YOUR TOWN & STATE) BT NAME IS (YOUR NAME) BT HW COPY? K
I reply: DE K7DXV SOLID COPY BT TNX FOR THE CONTACT BCNU 73 73 BT K
Your “final”: DE (YOUR CALL) TNX FOR QSO BCNU 73 73 BT SK
This is the simple contact, write this outline down with blanks to fill in when
you receive the RST, QTH, and NAME, you will only allow your left brain to write
down these three things, everything else you should have written down as an
outline. If the stations you “work” follow this format it will be easy.
Listen for me on the Know Code Net (KCN) at 1300 PST on 7111khz or at
2000 PST on 3711 khz. Others will also be there. Follow the words as
they are sent in the above outline, and you will get some practice copying in
your head.
The above format will be followed on the Know Code Net, but in other
contacts there may be a different order. This is for practice, get on the
key and get to work. I send QSL cards also. -
Ed Ewell K7DXV 73