[CQ-Contest] CW slow? No problem

[Ria Jairam]

That seemed suspect so I decided to do an analysis.

Speeds are taken from RBN, scores are from 3830. These are the top
world scores in competitive categories.

M/2 - CR3W  ~30M points - average 30WPM
M/M - M6T  ~18M points - average 30WPM
M/S - EF8R ~32M points - average 40WPM
M/S LP - VP5M ~ 6.6M points - average 30WPM
SOAB HP - CR3OO ~15.2M points - average 40WPM
SOAB LP - V26K ~10.3M points - average 33WPM
Assisted HP - DL6FBL ~8.2M points - average 32WPM
Assisted LP - P40W ~7.5M points - average 35WPM
Classic HP - KQ2M ~3.2M points - average 32WPM
Classic LP - KQ2M ~1.5M points - average 31WPM


>From this only two stations went to 40WPM. None of them went over
40WPM and most seemed to hang around 30-35WPM.

Additionally, big multi op US stations like K3LR, KC1XX and W3LPL
never really went to the 40WPM barrier.

I did not do a comprehensive analysis of 2nd, 3rd place or lower, but
a random sample showed that these stations did go to 40WPM and change,
but were still beaten by slower stations.

Therefore it would seem as though ultra high speed is not necessary to
produce a winning score or even 30WPM.

Anecdotally I saw people on social media saying they turned off the
contest because it's too fast for them.

BTW RBN is awesome. I am learning so much just by analyzing the data.

73
Ria, N2RJ

On Thu, Nov 30, 2017 at 7:49 AM, Gerry Hull <gerry at yccc.org> wrote:
> While 45 might seem a bit excessive, guys like ZF2MJ and TI7W, known
> World-class contesters, were using speeds like that.  As a run op at an M/2,
> I spent 95 percent of my CQ time at 40 WPM and backed down to 38 at times.
> I did not feel it was non productive.
>
> Fast CW is impearitive to make 20 to 30 million point scores.  Also,
> To make those scores, the operators on the other end of the pile must
> Be able to copy.
>
> So. if your CW speed does not cut it, listen to QSOs until you copy.
> Fast CW can and will be a part of these contests.  Attempting to  claim it
> is non productive is disproven by the facts.
>
> 73, Gerry W1VE
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 28, 2017 at 1:34 PM K9MA <k9ma at sdellington.us> wrote:
>
>> I completely fail to understand why so many operators insist on calling
>> CQ at 45 wpm, when no one is coming back.  (There were lots of them last
>> weekend, especially from zone 33.)  This seem entirely
>> counterproductive.  Not only does it discourage operators who aren't
>> comfortable at that speed, but it also makes the call impossible to copy
>> under some conditions for even the best operators.  Isn't a slow QSO
>> better than no QSO?
>>
>> 73,
>> Scott K9MA
>>
>>
>> On 11/28/2017 10:10, Ria Jairam wrote:
>> > I received comments from some of my friends that they didn't want to
>> > wade in because it would be like driving a unicycle on an interstate.
>> > There were some doing 40-50WPM... not that there is anything wrong
>> > with speed, but sometimes who want to casually participate and "give
>> > out points" get scared away.
>> >
>> > I did a steady 30WPM and QRS as necessary.
>> >
>> > Something to keep in mind.
>> >
>> > That said I worked several straight keys, tons of bugs, and a good bit
>> > of QLF. All in the fun.
>> >
>> > 73
>> > Ria, N2RJ
>> >
>> > On Sat, Nov 25, 2017 at 10:11 PM, Charles Harpole <hs0zcw at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> >> You have slow CW?  My solution:
>> >>
>> >> K3 set at 400 bandwidth.  P3 panadapter and large monitor.  Start at
>> bottom
>> >> of band and tune center of slim visual pip.  K3, spots, and your head
>> >> confirm callers' letters.
>> >> Push programmed send..... send your call sign.
>> >> Learned my own call at high speed, so I read mine.
>> >> Read screen to confirm his info, even with cut numbers, including an E
>> for
>> >> 5 in 5NN, moan.
>> >> Push button to send ur info.
>> >> Log 'em.
>> >> Tune 500cycles up and work next loud sig.
>> >> A killer solution to slow copying speed.  S&P produces about 1 to 2 per
>> >> minute, so dive in and enjoy 30+ wpm!
>> >> 73,
>> >> Charly, HS0ZCW
>> >>
>> >> <
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>> --
>> Scott  K9MA
>>
>> k9ma at sdellington.us
>>
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