[CQ-Contest] How do you get better?

[kr2q at optimum.net]

Well, isn't this cool.  Here was have (so far) guys like K5ZD, CT1BOH, and K4BAI telling
us that they PRACTICE.  Does that say anything to you?

For a week or more before a CW test, I like to listen to morse callsigns at very high speed.
It helps to reset my clock at a higher level.  You don't have to COPY at QRQ, just get used
to listening to code at those speeds.  Then I find it easier to copy when things slow down
to 40wpm as compared to not listening to QRQ ahead of time.  Maybe it's just me, but give
it a try.  

The other thing that I would urge everyone to practice is accuracy.  It's easy to put
"something" down, but is it right?  Quality trumps Rate 100% of the time.  Resist the urge
to log it, "no matter what."  Asking for repeats is not something to be embarrassed about.
Logging a busted call or exchange is.  If you're not sure you got it right and you've asked
for repeats but get no cooperation, then don't log it.  Equally, if you're asked for a repeat,
take the time to repeat it!  And if the guy asking for a repeat is going 10wpm or more
slower than you are, SLOW DOWN when you give the repeat.  There is nothing more sad
(to me) than to hear an attempted exchange where one guy is sending at 40wpm to a guy
who is going at 25wpm and who keeps asking for repeats but the other guy continues to
send at 40wpm.  DUH!  SLOW DOWN!!

I do QRP a lot.  Lots of guys immediately get my callsign, but that's cuz they recognize it
or figure it out.  I am always very happy when I send an exchange that isn't copied (I'm 
too weak) and they say, "Sri."  At least I know to NOT log it! 

de Doug KR2Q