Subj : Re: radio check
To : Cougar428
From : Daryl Stout
Date : Thu Feb 02 2023 04:53 pm
Co> Hi there, I learned CW for my MOS in the Army (O5H10). I had to
Co> pass at 25 CPM and it took me a while. Some people drummed out
Co> because they would hit a wall and not be able to copy any faster.
Co> Granted, this was copying not sending.
It's easier to send, than it is to copy. I knew one ham who was so
adept at CW, that he could be talking with several hams in his shack,
while a CW QSO was going on in the background. During the conversation
with other hams, he interrupted with "Hang on a minute"...then reached
over, and starting sending CW to the other ham on the frequency. When
he was done, he said "Sorry about that...I had to reply!!". I saw this
with my own eyes!! We were amazed that he could multi-task like that.
My description of multi-tasking is either walking and chewing gum,
or reading in the bathroom. <G>
Co> I hear CW on the bands (just an SWL listener, I don't have a
Co> license). It seems pretty regular, so HAMS must still be using it.
Even though in the US, when the FCC dropped the Morse Code requirement
(first dropping the 13 and 20 WPM CW exam on April 15, 2000...then doing
away with the 5 WPM CW exam on Feb. 23, 2007), it has caused a surge in
folks wanting to learn and use CW. They were now doing it because they
WANTED to, and NOT because they HAD to. I also have known several hams
who learned CW just so they could pass the license exam (when CW was
required)...after that, they never touched a keyer again.
Vibroplex, who makes CW keyers...for 2 weeks either side of the FCC
dropping the 5 WPM CW exam back in February, 2007...their phones were
literally "ringing off the wall" for folks wanting to purchase keyers!!
I asked one ham years ago what his secret was to learning CW, and he
said "I learned all the dirty words first!!" <G>. After I quit laughing,
I said "Well, you can't say or key that on the air...but if it helps,
more power to you!!". The next week, I was monitoring an Echolink (VoiP)
node, of one of the clubs...and they were teaching CW over the air. The
four letters they highlighted formed the S expletive (So Happy It's
Thursday <G>). I thought "I'll be d@mned!!"...but when you looked at the
dot and dash pattern, it made perfect sense!!
However, the funniest experience I heard of, was in Annapolis, Maryland,
at a local restaurant. Four male hams were at the table, telling each
other dirty jokes in CW. This drop dead gorgeous, beautiful, curvaceous
female <WHISTLE!><BG> walked up to them, and STERNLY ADMONISHED them,
saying "You boys need to watch your language!! I teach CW at the Naval
Academy across the street!!", and walked out!! The four was as red as
tomatoes (and that's a true story!!).<G>
Now, there are programs where you can send and receive CW at your
computer, without even having a rig or a keyer to do it with.
On another note, I never took a typing course in high school. But, by
being a BBS Sysop since December, 1990, I became a touch typist. The
SPCK (Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Keyboards) has me on their
10 most wanted list...for typing the letters off the keys on the keyboard,
from hitting the keys so hard!! <G>
Daryl, WX4QZ
... BAR CODE: Electronic device to help locate bars.
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