[CQ-Contest] CW pitch

[Tom Frenaye]

Good comments from KI6X and WC1M about choosing your CW offset...

I did an informal poll of about 30 serious contesters a few months ago on 
this topic.   Most of them favored a CW sidetone set in the 350-700 hz 
range.  Several were lower, and only a couple were higher.    The reason 
for the lower pitch is probably because:

1) it is easier to separate CW stations in the QRM at lower tones
2) good contesters can't hear higher tones so well anymore
3) we're all getting older
4) all of the above

Since most radios seem to default to an 800 hz offset this means that it 
may be very useful to experiment with your favorite radio - and most of 
those manufactured in the last 10 years allow for easy adjustment.

One question that has bugged me is that most groups that make CW training 
materials (including ARRL) record the tapes with tones higher than I'd 
choose.   The newly revised testing standards set by the Volunteer 
Examiners organization (all VECs) suggests 700-1000 hz.   The ARRL VEC 
suggests 720-750 hz.     That seems out of synch with how many (most?) 
experienced CW operators operate.  Is there something about being a 
newcomer that makes the higher tones easier to learn and copy?

Anyhow, food for thought.  And I suppose there's some study somewhere that 
might help shed light on things.

                         73 Tom

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e-mail: frenaye at pcnet.com    YCCC --> http://www.yccc.org/
Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box 386, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444


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