When learning CW in the military graduating speed was copying five letter coded groups at 25 wpm. You also had to learn typing on a mill at comparable speeds. You usually had code class then typing class on a mill. Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy and similar tunes were played to teach you cadence in typing. With that background it is difficult to lay back and copy in your head. But I am doing it and learning to just worry about the call sign, location, frequency and time. To new comers, I say, copy in your head and as mentioned in other posts here learn cw as a language. But please, do not send faster than you can receive. > On Dec 29, 2019, at 5:17 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: > > Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to > elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > elecraft-ow...@mailman.qth.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Elecraft digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Copying CW at high speeds (Robert G Strickland) > 2. Re: Copying CW at high speeds (Eric J) > 3. Re: Learning Morse Code (Tom McCulloch) > 4. Re: Learning Morse Code (David Bunte) > 5. Re: Copying CW at high speeds (K2bew) > 6. Re: Copying CW at high speeds (Dave Cole) > 7. Re: Learning Morse Code (Jim Brown) > 8. Re: Copying CW at high speeds (David Woolley) > 9. Re: Copying CW at high speeds (Barry) > 10. Re: Learning Morse Code (Barry) > 11. Re: K3 - Power cable voltage drop (Don Wilhelm) > 12. 50 ohm SMD Dummy Load Kit (Richard Thorne) > 13. My K3/100 has been sold (paule...@yahoo.com) > 14. CW skimmer (Morgan Bailey) > 15. kx3 FOR SALE (Terry Basom) > 16. Re: CW skimmer (Don Wilhelm) > 17. Re: Copying CW at high speeds (OT to Elecraft) (Mike Morrow) > 18. Re: 50 ohm SMD Dummy Load Kit (k7...@aol.com) > 19. KPA 1500 and receiver noise (K0RKH) > 20. Re: K3 - KEY OUT problem (M. George) > 21. Re: Learning Morse Code (Fred Jensen) > 22. Re: Copying CW at high speeds (OT to Elecraft) (Phil Kane) > 23. Elecraft SSB net for Sunday December29, 2019 (Jim White NC0JW) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 03:43:46 +0000 > From: Robert G Strickland <rc...@verizon.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds > Message-ID: <918182fa-dd37-67f6-240e-d1f5bd1c9...@verizon.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Jim... > > I am curious about which "... things do occur..." that help along the > QRQ way. > > Thanks for your interesting thoughts. > > ...robert > > On 12/29/2019 03:16, Jim Danehy wrote: >> The electrical pulses from your ear to your brain travel at extremely fast >> speed. >> >> The speed of light in a vacuum is 186,282 miles a second ; about 670,616,629 >> mph. >> >> My point ? At QRQ CW speeds something occurs that you normally do not >> encounter at slower speeds. Look at a dictionary. Many words start with a >> common pattern. After 5 or 6 letters there are alternatives. At QRQ speed >> Your brain is actually ahead of what your ear is feeding your brain. It is >> giving you a choice of words to choose from. >> >> The task is to choose the correct one. You are aided in that choice by the >> context of the message. I don?t know why this occurs. But it does. >> >> So when you learn to copy Entire words rather than letters ; this is the >> phenomenon that occurs at high speeds. It helps but it can also throw you a >> curve ball. That is where message context enters the equation. >> >> When you copy entire words rather than all the letters you have assistance. >> Your ability to copy faster speeds will improve with time. I only mention >> this as things get better the longer you stay with it. >> >> It is called getting over the hump. Or through the walk. >> >> It usually appears more difficult to increase your speed. However things do >> occur that help you achieve the ability to copy entire words. Then QRQ CW >> becomes conversational. Kind of like auto fill with computer typing. >> >> 73 >> Jim >> W9VNE / VA3VNE >> >> >> >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to rc...@verizon.net >> > > -- > Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY > rc...@verizon.net.usa > Syracuse, New York, USA > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 04:07:28 +0000 > From: Eric J <eric_c...@hotmail.com> > To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds > Message-ID: > > <dm6pr03mb4874135139daf23f0372c7fe8e...@dm6pr03mb4874.namprd03.prod.outlook.com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > For one, trhee is a lot of rdannudcey in lngugaae. Yuor biarn tkeas advgaante > of taht. You cn'at wenn you can olny wrtie dwon leettr by leettr. > > When you head copy words, even short phrases, your brain does a lot of the > work it already knows how to do. That first sentence would take a lot of work > trying to figure it out letter by letter, but most people can scan it for > sense almost as fast as they can read correct text. > > Eric KE6UWS > > On 12/28/2019 7:43 PM, Robert G Strickland via Elecraft wrote: > Jim... > > I am curious about which "... things do occur..." that help along the QRQ way. > > Thanks for your interesting thoughts. > > ...robert > > On 12/29/2019 03:16, Jim Danehy wrote: > The electrical pulses from your ear to your brain travel at extremely fast > speed. > > The speed of light in a vacuum is 186,282 miles a second ; about 670,616,629 > mph. > > My point ? At QRQ CW speeds something occurs that you normally do not > encounter at slower speeds. Look at a dictionary. Many words start with a > common pattern. After 5 or 6 letters there are alternatives. At QRQ speed > Your brain is actually ahead of what your ear is feeding your brain. It is > giving you a choice of words to choose from. > > The task is to choose the correct one. You are aided in that choice by the > context of the message. I don?t know why this occurs. But it does. > > So when you learn to copy Entire words rather than letters ; this is the > phenomenon that occurs at high speeds. It helps but it can also throw you a > curve ball. That is where message context enters the equation. > > When you copy entire words rather than all the letters you have assistance. > Your ability to copy faster speeds will improve with time. I only mention > this as things get better the longer you stay with it. > > It is called getting over the hump. Or through the walk. > > It usually appears more difficult to increase your speed. However things do > occur that help you achieve the ability to copy entire words. Then QRQ CW > becomes conversational. Kind of like auto fill with computer typing. > > 73 > Jim > W9VNE / VA3VNE > > > > > Sent from my iPhone > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rc...@verizon.net<mailto:rc...@verizon.net> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2019 23:25:25 -0500 > From: Tom McCulloch <th...@att.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Learning Morse Code > Message-ID: <e4f75d60-eaf4-3aff-e1ac-8b32980e2...@att.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > I agree, we all learn by the method our Elmer taught us.? Mine was the > A,W,J method at 5 WPM. > > I've been a CW guys almost exclusively and found 15 wpm to be my > personal comfort zone...However I have a question for those higher speed > guys out there.? At what speed would you say you start hearing complete > words rather than the individual letters and as a result you could > pretty much copy in your head (Jim said he doesn't write anything over > 20 WPM).? To me that's aweome (also unachievable..hi) > > Thanks > > Tom WB2QDG > > K2 # 1103 (I think) > > On 12/28/2019 12:08 PM, Jim Danehy wrote: >> Everyone has an opinion on how to learn Morse Code. My skill with CW >> probably comes from longevity. Closing in on 70 years of using Morse Code. >> Certainly mostly hit and miss. I once wrote here that I could copy quite >> fast. Then the posts of bragging. That was not my intention. Credibility >> counts. You establish that with facts. >> >> We all start with a blank sheet. We learned to talk as babies. That takes a >> good year plus. There really is no difference between learning to decode >> speech and CW. They both are sounds. They both are methods of communication. >> Reflect on that for just a moment or two. >> >> Converting sound ! When I hear 2 people conversing in a language that I do >> not know it is just sound. That also occurs when CW is heard by someone who >> does not know CW. >> >> A baby does not learn to read for about 5 years after they learn to converse >> in a language. That is why I do not recommend using sight to learn CW. You >> may disagree. >> >> I can not recall how long ago it was but I do not write down CW. I do not >> write down my conversations in spoken language. >> >> Most people learn CW at slow speeds. They need to write so that they can >> retain what the sender is attempting to communicate. At 5 wpm you would lose >> the flow of the attempted conversation unless you made notes. >> >> So writing is OK at slower speeds. The goal is to increase your speed to a >> point where you do not lose what the conversation is about. That occurs >> differently for all of us. I would opine that above 20 wpm you should wean >> yourself off of writing down what you are hearing. >> >> The ARRL has archived their Code Practice files that have been sent over >> the air. They start at 5 wpm. The increase in 5 words per minute I recall. >> They go up to 40 wpm too. They are archived in MP3 format. They also have a >> companion text file. Check their website. >> >> It took me a long time to reach where I find myself today. In the 1st >> paragraph I wrote 70 years. Yes I am going to be 82. All I use is CW. I have >> software that allows me to convert text to CW. I have a library of MP 3 >> files that start at 40 and go up to 60. I practice several times a month. At >> QRQ Speeds you learn to copy entire words. >> Most can not copy QRQ but that is just a fact. It takes practice. I believe >> using the ARRL archives a normal Ham should be able to reach copying 20 wpm >> in a few months. Get rid of the pencil and paper at some point. You don?t >> converse with others writing down what you hear from someone. If a baby can >> learn to talk in a year you can do CW at 20 in a year. >> >> Just do it >> >> 73 >> Jim W9VNE/VA3VNE >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to th...@att.net > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2019 23:45:59 -0500 > From: David Bunte <dpbu...@gmail.com> > To: Tom McCulloch <th...@att.net> > Cc: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Learning Morse Code > Message-ID: > <cancjpbt5wmffnx-uqucfsd0u6ewk5xmlidykazgcb+mtrfo...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Tom - > > I can't handle the higher speeds at which Jim is comfortable, but his > suggestions are excellent. I think I stopped writing down stuff by the time > I approached 15 wpm... except, of course Callsigns, names and QTH because I > wanted those in my log... sometimes I will make other notes in the log to > recall in future QSOs. By the time I got to 20 WPM I had to look for a > paper and pencil if I wanted to write something down... as I put all the > other stuff right into my logging program. > > Just getting on the air and making QSOs has helped my speed more than > anything else. Finding someone with whom to chew the rag... not only helps > code speed, I think it makes the hobby even more enjoyable. > > Best of luck es 73 de Dave - K9FN > > On Sat, Dec 28, 2019 at 11:26 PM Tom McCulloch <th...@att.net> wrote: > >> I agree, we all learn by the method our Elmer taught us. Mine was the >> A,W,J method at 5 WPM. >> >> I've been a CW guys almost exclusively and found 15 wpm to be my >> personal comfort zone...However I have a question for those higher speed >> guys out there. At what speed would you say you start hearing complete >> words rather than the individual letters and as a result you could >> pretty much copy in your head (Jim said he doesn't write anything over >> 20 WPM). To me that's aweome (also unachievable..hi) >> >> Thanks >> >> Tom WB2QDG >> >> K2 # 1103 (I think) >> >> On 12/28/2019 12:08 PM, Jim Danehy wrote: >>> Everyone has an opinion on how to learn Morse Code. My skill with CW >> probably comes from longevity. Closing in on 70 years of using Morse Code. >> Certainly mostly hit and miss. I once wrote here that I could copy quite >> fast. Then the posts of bragging. That was not my intention. Credibility >> counts. You establish that with facts. >>> >>> We all start with a blank sheet. We learned to talk as babies. That >> takes a good year plus. There really is no difference between learning to >> decode speech and CW. They both are sounds. They both are methods of >> communication. Reflect on that for just a moment or two. >>> >>> Converting sound ! When I hear 2 people conversing in a language that I >> do not know it is just sound. That also occurs when CW is heard by someone >> who does not know CW. >>> >>> A baby does not learn to read for about 5 years after they learn to >> converse in a language. That is why I do not recommend using sight to learn >> CW. You may disagree. >>> >>> I can not recall how long ago it was but I do not write down CW. I do >> not write down my conversations in spoken language. >>> >>> Most people learn CW at slow speeds. They need to write so that they can >> retain what the sender is attempting to communicate. At 5 wpm you would >> lose the flow of the attempted conversation unless you made notes. >>> >>> So writing is OK at slower speeds. The goal is to increase your speed to >> a point where you do not lose what the conversation is about. That occurs >> differently for all of us. I would opine that above 20 wpm you should wean >> yourself off of writing down what you are hearing. >>> >>> The ARRL has archived their Code Practice files that have been sent >> over the air. They start at 5 wpm. The increase in 5 words per minute I >> recall. They go up to 40 wpm too. They are archived in MP3 format. They >> also have a companion text file. Check their website. >>> >>> It took me a long time to reach where I find myself today. In the 1st >> paragraph I wrote 70 years. Yes I am going to be 82. All I use is CW. I >> have software that allows me to convert text to CW. I have a library of MP >> 3 files that start at 40 and go up to 60. I practice several times a month. >> At QRQ Speeds you learn to copy entire words. >>> Most can not copy QRQ but that is just a fact. It takes practice. I >> believe using the ARRL archives a normal Ham should be able to reach >> copying 20 wpm in a few months. Get rid of the pencil and paper at some >> point. You don?t converse with others writing down what you hear from >> someone. If a baby can learn to talk in a year you can do CW at 20 in a >> year. >>> >>> Just do it >>> >>> 73 >>> Jim W9VNE/VA3VNE >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to th...@att.net >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to dpbu...@gmail.com > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 01:16:53 -0500 > From: K2bew <tombew...@gmail.com> > Cc: Elecraft Mailing List <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds > Message-ID: > <ca+sv7ka35iqf7rwo4hy78fo_vohgeva4mg-w-+0snj42qe7...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Jim I really appreciate your long explanations of learning to improve CW. > Thanks so much! > 73, > Tom Bewick, k2bew > > On Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 22:17 Jim Danehy <jsdan...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> The electrical pulses from your ear to your brain travel at extremely fast >> speed. >> >> The speed of light in a vacuum is 186,282 miles a second ; about >> 670,616,629 mph. >> >> My point ? At QRQ CW speeds something occurs that you normally do not >> encounter at slower speeds. Look at a dictionary. Many words start with a >> common pattern. After 5 or 6 letters there are alternatives. At QRQ speed >> Your brain is actually ahead of what your ear is feeding your brain. It is >> giving you a choice of words to choose from. >> >> The task is to choose the correct one. You are aided in that choice by the >> context of the message. I don?t know why this occurs. But it does. >> >> So when you learn to copy Entire words rather than letters ; this is the >> phenomenon that occurs at high speeds. It helps but it can also throw you a >> curve ball. That is where message context enters the equation. >> >> When you copy entire words rather than all the letters you have >> assistance. Your ability to copy faster speeds will improve with time. I >> only mention this as things get better the longer you stay with it. >> >> It is called getting over the hump. Or through the walk. >> >> It usually appears more difficult to increase your speed. However things >> do occur that help you achieve the ability to copy entire words. Then QRQ >> CW becomes conversational. Kind of like auto fill with computer typing. >> >> 73 >> Jim >> W9VNE / VA3VNE >> >> >> >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to tombew...@gmail.com > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2019 22:20:51 -0800 > From: Dave Cole <d...@nk7z.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds > Message-ID: <95a39645-89be-5994-c692-caeb60a21...@nk7z.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Nerve impulses travel at around 200 MPH, tops, but I believe the > explanation will still hold. > > 73, and thanks, > Dave (NK7Z) > https://www.nk7z.net > ARRL Volunteer Examiner > ARRL Technical Specialist > ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources > > On 12/28/19 10:16 PM, K2bew wrote: >> Jim I really appreciate your long explanations of learning to improve CW. >> Thanks so much! >> 73, >> Tom Bewick, k2bew >> >> On Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 22:17 Jim Danehy <jsdan...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> The electrical pulses from your ear to your brain travel at extremely fast >>> speed. >>> >>> The speed of light in a vacuum is 186,282 miles a second ; about >>> 670,616,629 mph. >>> >>> My point ? At QRQ CW speeds something occurs that you normally do not >>> encounter at slower speeds. Look at a dictionary. Many words start with a >>> common pattern. After 5 or 6 letters there are alternatives. At QRQ speed >>> Your brain is actually ahead of what your ear is feeding your brain. It is >>> giving you a choice of words to choose from. >>> >>> The task is to choose the correct one. You are aided in that choice by the >>> context of the message. I don?t know why this occurs. But it does. >>> >>> So when you learn to copy Entire words rather than letters ; this is the >>> phenomenon that occurs at high speeds. It helps but it can also throw you a >>> curve ball. That is where message context enters the equation. >>> >>> When you copy entire words rather than all the letters you have >>> assistance. Your ability to copy faster speeds will improve with time. I >>> only mention this as things get better the longer you stay with it. >>> >>> It is called getting over the hump. Or through the walk. >>> >>> It usually appears more difficult to increase your speed. However things >>> do occur that help you achieve the ability to copy entire words. Then QRQ >>> CW becomes conversational. Kind of like auto fill with computer typing. >>> >>> 73 >>> Jim >>> W9VNE / VA3VNE >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to tombew...@gmail.com >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to d...@nk7z.net >> > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Sat, 28 Dec 2019 23:02:53 -0800 > From: Jim Brown <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Learning Morse Code > Message-ID: > <61e8a629-ae04-1d2d-5ecc-ee2792b00...@audiosystemsgroup.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > On 12/28/2019 8:45 PM, David Bunte wrote: >> Just getting on the air and making QSOs has helped my speed more than >> anything else. > > CW contesting is also great for building CW copying skills. > > 73, Jim K9YC > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 12:29:28 +0000 > From: David Woolley <for...@david-woolley.me.uk> > To: Kevin McQuiggin <mcqui...@sfu.ca>, Jim Danehy <jsdan...@gmail.com> > Cc: Elecraft Mailing List <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds > Message-ID: <93eb1cfb-72ac-a94e-c767-2381bb073...@david-woolley.me.uk> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Neve conduction is actually a mixture of chemical and electrical > mechanisms, in vertebrates. The signal travels electrically in short > hops, and is then regenerated by a chemical process. Invertebrates have > propagation velocities of more like 1 metre / second. > <http://www.biologymad.com/NervousSystem/nerveimpulses.htm#impulsespeed> > > -- > David Woolley > > On 29/12/2019 03:27, Kevin McQuiggin wrote: >> It does not negate the argument, but nerve impulses are based on chemical >> reactions in neurons, and only travel at about 120 metres per second. > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 05:55:21 -0700 (MST) > From: Barry <w...@comcast.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds > Message-ID: <1577624121726-0.p...@n2.nabble.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > While I agree with the OP about copying conversational QRQ, the > redundancy/anticipation doesn't hold true when copying callsigns, such as in > the case of running RUFZ. > > I don't know if the number has gone up in the last ~10 years, as that was > the last time I participated in the IARU HST, but at that time, 2 guys > (DJ1YFK and YT7AW) broke 200 WPM. When in my prime, I hit about 120 WPM > running RUFZ. 200 sounds like a buzz saw to me. Maybe these guys have > narrower gaps in their synapses? > > Barry W2UP (HST 2011 Bronze medal in RUFZ) > > > > -- > Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 06:05:58 -0700 (MST) > From: Barry <w...@comcast.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Learning Morse Code > Message-ID: <1577624758507-0.p...@n2.nabble.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Jim Brown-10 wrote >> CW contesting is also great for building CW copying skills. >> >> 73, Jim K9YC > > Yup. Like the old joke, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" Practice! > > I also suspect age has a lot to do with it. I was licensed at 12. Upgraded > at 13, but couldn't afford a SSB radio for 2-3 years, so did CW only. Found > the QRQ guys (in the early 70s) at the low end of 40 CW and programs were > available, I found I hit a wall at ~100 WPM, despite practice. Other than > contesting, I really haven't been active for the last 5-10 years and my > speed has significantly dropped. > > Barry W2UP > > > > > > > -- > Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 08:48:37 -0500 > From: Don Wilhelm <donw...@embarqmail.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Power cable voltage drop > Message-ID: <a919a65f-b5f4-ad37-4f4f-448229161...@embarqmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > As Bob has pointed out, power drop is not the factor in the voltage to > an Elecraft transceiver. > > No matter what the supply voltage may be, the K2/K3/K3S/KX2/KX3 will > attempt to produce the output power requested by the power knob setting. > Those transceivers actually measure the output power rather than the > drive level as is done by many other transceivers. > > The problem is that the transmit IMD increases as the voltage drops, so > running with a higher voltage results in a cleaner signal on the air. > > Of course, if you are an "all knobs right" operator, you may notice a > bit of a drop in the maximum power available on some bands. Instead of > 114 watts, you may get only 95 or 100 watts, but that is extreme. > I recommend that you do not set the power knob above 100 watts in any > case. Use the maximum setting only for testing into a dummy load. > > The difference between 114 watts and 100 watts is only 0.57 dB and will > not be noticed on the far end of the transmission. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 12/28/2019 5:32 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: >> It is not quite that simple.?? Power drop is not really a factor. >> >> The operating range of the radio, from specifications,? is 11 volts >> minimum to 15 volts maximum. ? Thus with a 4 volt operating range, a 1 >> volt drop represents a 25% change.? Within this range of 11 to 15 volts >> the radio will attempt to deliver 100 watts by demanding the required >> amount of current from the power supply. Thus the three resistances in >> series example, as I stated earlier, with the middle one {radio} being a >> variable value. > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 08:09:05 -0600 > From: Richard Thorne <rtho...@rthorne.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] 50 ohm SMD Dummy Load Kit > Message-ID: <9cb38740-8131-d3d9-f8eb-39cb00cf0...@rthorne.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > I picked up a SMD soldering station and would like to give surface mount > a try. > > Any suggestions on a SMD 50 ohm dummy load kit? > > Rich - N5ZC > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 13 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 14:25:09 +0000 (UTC) > From: "paule...@yahoo.com" <paule...@yahoo.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] My K3/100 has been sold > Message-ID: <165278352.4599928.1577629509...@mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > My K3 has been sold. Thank you for your inquiries.? > > Paul n6psepauln6...@gmail.com > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 14 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 09:33:48 -0600 > From: Morgan Bailey <mbaileyc...@gmail.com> > To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] CW skimmer > Message-ID: > <cabkb7bjk6smqoggahp9cd2t4pag8pj3iw6yfacczogtpr8p...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Is one able to run CW skimmer on a K4. If so what model is best suited for > this the K4 or K4d? Or should i use an RSP2 with out board computer > dedicated to doing skimmer with the skimmer software? > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 15 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 11:03:34 -0500 > From: Terry Basom <ve3...@gmail.com> > To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] kx3 FOR SALE > Message-ID: > <calclfqaj9kho5ut1f0xzquhuuscmq64vciuaxfrvnbnrh00...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > My KX3 has sold. > 73's to all > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 16 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 11:18:40 -0500 > From: Don Wilhelm <donw...@embarqmail.com> > To: Morgan Bailey <mbaileyc...@gmail.com>, Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW skimmer > Message-ID: <5be19a9f-2158-c61d-f255-1405bf639...@embarqmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Morgan, > > The K4 (any version) will not run software apps like Skimmer, you will > need to run that on your shack computer. > > While the K4 does contain a processor and a version of an operating > system, it is used for dedicated K4 functions. > I would compare it to my fileserver box which runs on a Linux version. > I can access it via a browser for setup operations, but I cannot load > and run any other applications on it, it is dedicated to performing its > fileserver tasks. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 12/29/2019 10:33 AM, Morgan Bailey wrote: >> Is one able to run CW skimmer on a K4. If so what model is best suited for >> this the K4 or K4d? Or should i use an RSP2 with out board computer >> dedicated to doing skimmer with the skimmer software? > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 17 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 10:39:11 -0600 (GMT-06:00) > From: Mike Morrow <k...@earthlink.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds (OT to Elecraft) > Message-ID: > <1409933060.1371.1577637551...@wamui-megara.atl.sa.earthlink.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Discussions of Morse copying skills are nowadays addressed to casual amateur > efforts where complete and accurate hard-copy output is seldom required.? > Professional Morse skill was measured at the speed that the operator produced > complete and accurate hard-copy.? An operator who head copies at 50 wpm but > hard copies at 15 wpm was a 15 wpm operator. > > In the history of Morse for military and commercial service, the ONLY > valuable skill was producing accurate hard-copy of both plain language text > and code groups.? The professional licenses for radiotelegraphy were the > Third Class, Second Class, and First Class Radiotelegraph certificates.? The > Third and Second Class licenses required the following: > > PLAIN LANGUAGE (including common punctuation) - 20 wpm - Receive and send 100 > consecutive characters (1 minute) without error in a 500 character (5 minute) > text. > CODE GROUPS (5-character groups of letters and numbers) - 16 wpm - Receive > and send 80 consecutive characters (1 minute) without error in a 400 > character (5 minute) text. > > Most candidates found that slow-speed code group receiving test to be the > most difficult part.? (It took me three 200-mile trips to the Kansas City FCC > office to finally pass.) All those mental skills that allow an operator to > decipher entire words in plain language are of no help with code > groups...there's no process of "hearing code groups".? There is also no > possibility of reviewing copied text and context for needed obvious > corrections.? Although it's not required for 16 wpm, operators skilled at > high speed code groups develop an automatic "unthinking" response to actuate > keys on the mill/keyboard as characters are heard. > > The era of the professional commercial Morse operator essentially ended in > July 1999 when maritime Morse operation ceased in the US.? In the same era > the US military banned use of Morse, even going so far as eliminating it from > MARS repeater IDs. > > It was a great era with great operators.? A dear friend of mine (Al, W5KGM) > was a professional Morse operator for airlines and in WWII Atlantic merchant > ship convoys from 1937 to the 1970s.? He could do do everything > commercial-quality at 60-wpm or better.? He became a silent key at age 102 > last year...there aren't many such "real" Morse professionals left. > > It's unfortunate that the ham bands have been since 1999 the only place that > Morse radiotelegraphy may be heard for practice.? Before that, the marine > Morse bands (especially 400 to 520 kHz) provided far more interesting copy > for development of Morse reception skill.? (I usually kept a receiver on 500 > kHz/600 meters at night.)? Morse skill was also reinforced (at least for a > while) in the Cold War for radiomen in my squadron of ballistic missile > submarines on the logical consideration that if world events ever provoked > missile launch, it was unlikely that normal sophisticated submarine > communications networks would exist afterwards. > > But today...Morse is only a hobbyist's or historian's undertaking.? I > personally found practice at Morse reception to be far more rewarding outside > the ham bands...but that option no longer exists. > > Mike / KK5F > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 18 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 17:06:33 +0000 (UTC) > From: k7...@aol.com > To: rtho...@rthorne.net, elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] 50 ohm SMD Dummy Load Kit > Message-ID: <330811204.2966129.1577639193...@mail.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hi,I found this site with a kit QRP smd parts. > https://kc9on.com/product/smd-dummy-load-bnc/ > 73Jim H k7sss > In a message dated 12/29/2019 6:11:56 AM Pacific Standard Time, > rtho...@rthorne.net writes: > > I picked up a SMD soldering station and would like to give surface mount a > try. > Any suggestions on a SMD 50 ohm dummy load kit? > Rich - > N5ZC______________________________________________________________Elecraft > mailing listHome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp: > http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list: > http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlMessage delivered to k7...@aol.com > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 19 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 11:24:33 -0700 (MST) > From: K0RKH <robertkh...@hotmail.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] KPA 1500 and receiver noise > Message-ID: <1577643873678-0.p...@n2.nabble.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > I am looking for possible causes of increased receive noise I > am experiencing whenever I turn on my KPA 1500 . I have always had this > issue but at first disregarded it as maybe common mode noise but have since > experimented a bit by connecting a dummy load to the receiver and producing > the same results. > The receiver is a K3s model and I have taken several > opportunities to bond all equipment and tried ferrite #33 beads in several > places with no change in results. > Has anyone else on this site had the same problem. The noise > is the greatest on 6 and 10 meters where it would show up as more of a > problem as well with a +20-db noise on 6 meters and +10-db on 10 meters. > Bob K0RKH > > > > -- > Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 20 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 11:46:23 -0700 > From: "M. George" <m.matthew.geo...@gmail.com> > To: N4ZR <n...@comcast.net>, N7WY-BobR <n...@rocketmail.com> > Cc: Elecraft List <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - KEY OUT problem > Message-ID: > <cafyrphvfs+sowtshop4xehvky0jfyr36qqb6vutdqw5tscu...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Bob N7WY motivated me to provide a few more details on the KEY OUT > mosfet/Q3/IRFI630 replacement. I took the bottom off my K3 to show the > location of the IRFI630 on the bottom of the PCB. It was a little more > tricky than I remembered, so you will need to access the main PCB from the > top of the K3 by removing the KIO3 board and the IO board that has the IF > output. I did the replacement without removing the back panel which would > have been very painful. Again, I do remember being able to do this without > a major disassembly. I de-soldered from the bottom of the PCB and pulled > and replaced the IRFI630 from the top. It was tight, but it sure beat > sending the K3 back to Elecraft and you can do a clean job if you are > careful. > > Here are some new pictures that I just took > <http://www.nc7j.com/pa/main.php?cmd=album&var1=NG7M%2FRadios%2FK3%2FSmokedKeyOutIRFI630G%2F> > and annotated with more details of the location of Q3 along with a snippet > from the Elecraft Schematic where Q3 is located. Your mileage may vary > based on your re-work skills but I wouldn't consider this a difficult > replacement... medium effort at worst. When in doubt, send your radio in, > but it's not rocket science: > > Updated Pictures: > http://www.nc7j.com/pa/main.php?cmd=album&var1=NG7M%2FRadios%2FK3%2FSmokedKeyOutIRFI630G%2F > > Good Luck! > > Max NG7M > > On Sat, Dec 28, 2019 at 10:20 AM M. George <m.matthew.geo...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> Pete, just saw your question on the PTT OUT not working for you. I had an >> issue with this back in 2016... I can't remember what I did, but it wasn't >> smart and it was my fault... Anyway, I let the smoke/metal out of the >> IRFI630G >> that is used on the PPT out. It's beefy and can take a lot of abuse, but I >> still managed to destroy it. Anyway, it's an easy replacement and saved me >> from shipping my K3 back to Elecraft. Total operator error in my >> situation... maybe attached 12v to the PTT out? Again, I can't remember. >> >> Here is a picture of what my damaged MOSFET looked like at the time... see >> the crack and leakage ;) >> >> >> http://www.nc7j.com/pa/main.php?cmd=imageview&var1=NG7M%2FRadios%2FK3%2FSmokedKeyOutIRFI630G%2FIRFI630GFried.JPG >> >> And here is the Mouser part I ordered to replace it: >> >> >> https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Vishay-Siliconix/IRFI630GPBF?qs=%2Fha2pyFaduhSYcFgYMU8ma88%2Fb96%2Fl4SGKWFSYSWEuEDdoRAAyNpCg== >> >> Here is the schematic link: >> https://ftp.elecraft.com/K3/Manuals%20Downloads/K3_Schematics_Jun_2010.pdf >> >> Search for IRFI630 in the PDF, you will find it straight away... and I >> don't remember it being tough to expose the damaged mosfet and replace >> it... >> >> Max NG7M >> >> On Sat, Dec 28, 2019 at 8:57 AM N4ZR <n...@comcast.net> wrote: >> >>> Thanks to everyone who responded. I've now written to Elecraft Support, >>> and anticipate that it will have to go back to the mother ship. >>> >>> -- >>> >>> 73, Pete N4ZR >>> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network >>> at <http://reversebeacon.net>, now >>> spotting RTTY activity worldwide. >>> For spots, please use your favorite >>> "retail" DX cluster. >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to m.matthew.geo...@gmail.com >> >> >> >> -- >> M. George >> > > > -- > M. George > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 21 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 11:56:35 -0800 > From: Fred Jensen <k6...@foothill.net> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Learning Morse Code > Message-ID: <74831679-64d5-7e24-593e-23b875127...@foothill.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > I'm fairly certain it's an individual thing. In head copy, it starts to > sound like reading somewhere around 25 for me.? If I'm making record > copy on a mill or keyboard at around 25-30, I'm not really aware of > anything I am copying.? It seems to be a direct connection between ears > and fingers, and I cannot tell you afterwards what I copied.? In my very > brief 10 months as the "station kid" at a coastal marine station in the > mid-50's, the Company tried to enforce an 18-20 WPM speed limit while in > traffic, they believed that was the sweet spot in terms of overall > throughput [circuit chatter usually ran faster]. > > Ted McElroy [SK] held [and may still hold] the record set in the 30's I > think, at 76 WPM with text taken from a newspaper.? That he set the > record is certain although some have said he may have had the chance to > see the paper ahead of time.? He also won typing contests which were > popular at the time.? What may be apocryphal is a rendition that the > code began, he poured a cup of coffee and lit a cigarette, finally > sitting down and starting to copy maybe 5 mins later, and continued > typing for several minutes after the code stopped. > > Code groups are said to be much harder than plain text ... the 2nd > Telegraph in the 50's was 20 plain text and 16 groups.? For some reason, > I find groups easier and less work, no idea why.? And, after close to 70 > years with Morse, I agree with Tom ... there are lots of ways to learn > the code with varying efficiency for different people but they all work. > > 73, > Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW > Sparks NV DM09dn > Washoe County > K2 #4398 > K3 #642 > ex KX1 #697 > > On 12/28/2019 8:25 PM, Tom McCulloch wrote: >> I agree, we all learn by the method our Elmer taught us.? Mine was the >> A,W,J method at 5 WPM. >> >> I've been a CW guys almost exclusively and found 15 wpm to be my >> personal comfort zone...However I have a question for those higher >> speed guys out there.? At what speed would you say you start hearing >> complete words rather than the individual letters and as a result you >> could pretty much copy in your head (Jim said he doesn't write >> anything over 20 WPM).? To me that's aweome (also unachievable..hi) >> >> Thanks >> >> Tom WB2QDG >> >> K2 # 1103 (I think) >> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 22 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 14:05:32 -0800 > From: Phil Kane <k2...@kanafi.org> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Copying CW at high speeds (OT to Elecraft) > Message-ID: <fbc21d5f-c007-b525-d23d-151c7f76d...@kanafi.org> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > On 12/29/2019 8:39 AM, Mike Morrow wrote: > >> But today...Morse is only a hobbyist's or historian's undertaking. I >> personally found practice at Morse reception to be far more rewarding >> outside the ham bands...but that option no longer exists. > > Check out <www.radiomarine.org> for the schedule of operations of KPH / > KFS / KSM Morse press and traffic transmissions every Saturday. > > 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane > Elecraft K2/100 s/n 5402 > >> From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest > Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 23 > Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2019 15:17:41 -0700 > From: Jim White NC0JW <ars.nc...@gmail.com> > To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft SSB net for Sunday December29, 2019 > Message-ID: <c3d86d40-3d75-45d5-b9f0-3fb3234d4...@gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Our normal net control Eric WB9JNZ is on a two week holiday vacation and is > scheduled to resume net control duties next week. 14 checks ins today with > Brian's (K1NW) help as a relay station. Thanks for the help Brian! We were > even able to dig Peter ZL1PWD out of the noise and get him checked in. > Thanks for your patience Peter. > > Sunday December 29, 2019: > > K1NW Brian RI K3 4974 Relay station > KS6F Guy CA K3S 10650 > K7BRR Bill AZ K3S 10939 > K8NU Carl OH K3S 10996 > N7BDL Terry AZ K3S 10373 > W4DML Doug TN K3 6433 > KD8CIV John MI KX3 4654 > W9LSE Bob WI K3 945 > W2RWA Dick NY K3 2603 > N6PGQ Bob CA K3 5891 > W6US Jim NV K3S 11215 > K4KSW Jack FL K3S 10179 > ZL1PWD Peter NZ K3 139 > NC0JW Jim CO KX3 1356 Net control > > The Elecraft SSB Net meets on Sunday at 1800 UTC on or about 14.3035 MHz. > With propagation at a low point we employ several relay stations located > around the continental USA to assist with check ins. As conditions permit we > take questions and comments after check ins. > > Make it a point to join us next week for the first net of the new year and > the new decade. > > Jim White - NC0JW > ars.nc...@gmail.com > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > You must be a subscriber to post. > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > End of Elecraft Digest, Vol 188, Issue 34 > *****************************************
______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
