[CQ-Contest] Very Special CWops Tests Tuesday/Wednesday

[Hank Garretson]

Another group of eager CW Academy students graduated at the end of May. Our
task is to help them take the next step to becoming on-the-air CW
operators. Let's help the tentative make the jump to full-fledged CW
aficionados.

We will have Very Special CWops Tests on 11/12 June to celebrate the
completion of CW Academy's latest semester. We are inviting and encouraging
graduates to participate. Our goal is to hook them by providing a
welcoming, friendly opportunity to use their new CW skills.

Very Special CWops Tests this Wednesday at 1300Z and 1900Z and Thursday at
0300Z. You don't have to be a CWops member or CW Academy graduate--everyone
welcome.

http://www.cwops.org/cwt.html

Exchange is NAME and CWops Number. Or, if not (yet) a CWops member, your
STATE/PROVINCE/DX PREFIX. CW Academy graduates, both new and old, are
invited to send NAME CWA.

CWops Test suggested frequencies are 28 to 38 kHz up from band edges, plus
or minus as activity dictates. As always, please be particularly
considerate of ongoing QSOs, DXpeditions, and W1AW portable operations.

Guidelines for Very Special CWTs.

1. Everyone limit speed to 20 WPM maximum. Even when you are working
someone you normally work at 30 WPM, please send no faster than 20 WPM.
When you answer someone CQing at less than 20 WPM, answer at his speed.
When someone answers your 20 WPM CQ at a slower speed, match his speed.

2. Thank stations by name.

3. If appropriate, help stations by explaining CWT exchange.

5. If someone wants to rag chew, rag chew for a bit.

6. Send lots of FBs and other encouragement.

7. Us working us--we do that all the time. Please make a special effort to
work the new guys.

8. Send a welcoming QSL card or email to each new station worked.

Mark your calendars. Very Special CWops Tests 11/12 June. The graduates are
our new blood. They are the hams who will carry on the CW tradition. Let's
make a very special effort to get on and make the graduates feel welcome.
Let's infect them with the CW bug.



*The first rule of CW is to have fun and to share the fun.*
CW Exuberantly,

Hank, W6SX

CWops Tests Manager