This is more of a CW question than a Ten Tec question, but since the two
are so closely related, why not?
I've been operating a lot of PSK31 in the last few months, to the detriment
of my CW. I must also confess that most of my CW operation is DXing or
jumping into a contest to work a new country here and there. So I haven't
done a lot of "conversational" CW in quite a while.
Recently, I've again felt the pull of CW. I've done a bit of listening and
some CW QSOs, and observed the following:
- I can do quick DX-style contacts at 25-30 wpm, but only in short bursts
before my mind fogs.
- I can lope along at about 18 wpm reasonably comfortably, writing down
only the important words. Much above 20 wpm, I can't write that fast. I
could probably copy by typing on the PC, but that's a separate skill.
Besides, one of the nice things about working CW is that you can turn the
dammned computer off :-)
- I can copy in my head up to a point. I'm fine with words and
abbreviations of up to 3 letters, but I have trouble with longer words.
I've been closing my eyes and trying to visualize the words in my mind,
with some limited success.
- I find it impossible to act like a dumb modem. My mind wants to
recognize the word after the first couple of letters, and it wants to get
the meaning of the words as they go by. Also, I'm the kind of person who
is always thinking about several things at once. All this seems to get in
the way of copy.
- At higher speeds, the letter "e" gives me fits. My mind recognizes it a
bit too late, which often screws up the whole word.
- I'm in my mid-forties, and I think that QRN bothers me more than it used
to. And that I am just a shade less good at picking a very weak signal out
of the mud than I was in my twenties. Thank goodness for non-ringy Ten Tec
filters and quiet Ten Tec receivers. (see, now I'm on topic!)
So, all you CW mavens, any tips? Passing tests isn't an issue--I've had my
Extra for years. I'm interested in getting to the point where I can read
CW in my head with pleasure. Apart from just getting on the air and
working people, are there any special techniques that would help?
73 from KD7MW
--- Peter
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