GB2CW Morse Corner 21.03.25
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Morse Classes.
These are all going well. Emma is leading the class at the moment. Jack is having a problem due to his age, but will get there. James is not doing enough of the Big P word. Tracey is hovering between the beginner’s class and Jim’s class so is improving.
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However, how about this award? Tracey found it dating back ten years and is determined to catch up. Wanting to is half the battle! Way to go, Tracey! Jusat shows what can be done with a liberal application of the Big P.
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No new students but we wait with anticipation! Don’t forget that not learning CW and using that part of the amateur bands you automatically forfeit over 40% of your allocation! I am not holding my breath!
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To help with your instant character recognition, take a look here:
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https://morsecode.world/international/trainer/character.html
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This is a neat trainer that will help a lot.
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KEY OF THE WEEK
Following a Zoom meeting with fellow FOC CW OP Jose KP3W, he revealed his favourite semi-automatic bug key. He calls it Sleepy-Gal and here it is:
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I think this must be unique and also quite attractive to have on the desk.I have given you two perspectives of it. I also like the heart on the thumb piece!
I still don’t think this a good enough reason to use a bug key however. You will achieve much better sending on a paddle and keyer.
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The NARC CW Monday Night Net.
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Those participating in this Net are definitely improving each week. Netting is pretty good, something I am pedantic about, and protocol is good too. Our transmissions are becoming briefer and with only relevant comments, so we get round the group more rapidly.
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This all takes place on 3543 at 8 p.m. on Monday evenings. We have a Net controller each week and the idea is to encourage you to take part in conversational Morse. If you can read and send at 23wpm, do come and join us. 23wpm is the speed at present and we may be increasing that as time goes by. The overs are short but protocol is adherred to and just a few comments from each attendee is all that is needed. Give it a try!
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Surely there are a few more quite capable of joining the net to try your hand at conversational Morse. I think there are a number of locals who, although capable, use Morse to crack a pile-up with the use of macros and very rarely use a paddle in long QSOs.
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There is no need to be shy. Learning conversational Morse is a skill in itself. Anybody can work a DX pile-up by using macros or sending their call and 599 TU. Try holding a conversation for about an hour and see how you get on. If you aspire to CWOPS or FOC it’s the only way you will get in to those clubs, by showing and proving your proficiency with a paddle.
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Not only that, but it really is very satisfying to be able to hold a conversation for that long at around 25wpm with minimal mistakes. PLUS of course you can then monitor the CW end of the bands and hear just conversations and not just dits and dahs.
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CW OPS
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The midnight oil burners have problems because propagation at 0300 is not great! This week was marginally better although I just do my usual 30 minutes and then get back to bed, to arise again for the 7 a.m. session.
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Also, don’t forget that the CW OPS activity periods can be used for non-members too for practice. I am aiming in particular at Steve, Marie and Tracey. Your exchange is merely NAME and G for England. You will find that these activity periods are great for copying practice. Don’t be dissuaded by the speed, the other station will QRS if asked!
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To join CW OPS you can ask to be nominated but bear in mind that you should be able to conduct a QSO at a minimum speed of 25 wpm, and your nominator will have to provide proof of at least two QSOs at that speed.
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If you are going to Hamcation this year ( Dayton as it used to be ) look out for the CW OPS booth and also their dinner, should be great fun.
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General CW Operating.
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and thinking about operating CW:
“Do today what others won’t, so you can do tomorrow what others can’t.”
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For those of a nervous disposition, try joining FISTS. FISTS caters for the more casual, laid back operator who does not feel comfortable at more than 23 wpm. They also have a LADDERS competition on 40m which is good practice. Actually for what you pay for membership it really is a great deal with a quarterly magazine too called Keynote. It contains lots of interesting articles.
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That’s it, open the cage, play the music.
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If you have any input, please email me.
73 de Roger, G3LDI GB2CW Coordinator. roger@g3ldi.co.uk May the Morse be with you.
Author Roger Cooke