[SCCC] CW Mode in contests

[Bill Haddon]

>From N6ZFO  (SCCC member in 2006-9 while at Quest Diagnostics/Nichols
Institute in SJC).

 re use of paddles vs keyboard:

I'm right handed and use WL.
  -- I put paddle on right,
  -- keyboard on left.

When running:
   -- Often I get medium/big pileups and will just recognize a call or part
of a call after a few seconds.
    -- for this situation I have two "F" messages.
               -- one (F5) sends full exchange assuming call has been typed
in
               -- another(F6) sends, for CQP, only the number and my county
(LAKE)

    -- While sending the call with the paddle (goes through a Idiom Press
CMOS Superkeyer III)  I type in the call sign with my left hand, then press
F5. [there's an advantage of sending the call by hand if you have a partial
call or are uncertain, in that a "?" can be added. . that alerts the other
station that you're unsure of the call.  However very often, especialyl for
weak responding stns, I don't start the exchange until the call is nailed.)

For S&P:  Usually type the call in and push F6, but if I just catch the end
of the call, for ex. SRZ for K6SRZ, I just make the assumption it's k6srz
and send it by hand sometimes with a "?" as noted.

I also use the paddle a lot to say hello to friends, for ex "TU Todd" for
WD0T) maybe a special tks for a new multiplier, etc.  Sometimes call CQ by
hand just to relieve boredom.

Now some would argue the time saving is trivial. Say this is done on 50% of
QSO's and saves 2 seconds per use.  Over 1000 cw qso's that's a saving of
1000 seconds total, or about 20 mins of contesting.  At an average rate of
80/hour that's about 25 qso's.  Is that important?  In the LP category my
posted score is just 900 points ahead of KI6RRN for first in CA
non-assisted Low Power category; that score difference is equivalent to ~5
CW QSO's.

73 Bill n6zfo

On Thu, Oct 6, 2016 at 12:51 PM, Dean Jones <k6ddj599 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
>      I was wondering about how many of you run cw in contests using ONLY a
> keyboard, no paddles?  Also, for those who do use both the keyboard AND
> paddles, under what circumstances do you use the paddles and why?   I have
> been using both, and either, and trying to compare my scores and any amount
> of perceived fatigue with one method vs. the other.  So far, I have found
> they are about equal as far as utility but would like to read what others
> think about the subject.  This question is directed mainly at the folks who
> are good typers and not the folks who do not use a keyboard at all because
> they are not proficient at typing fast, therefore only using paddles.
>
> Thanks, and look forward to any replies.
> Dean, K6DDJ
>
> PS:  I hope this question does not open a can-of-worms!
> _______________________________________________
> SCCC mailing list
> SCCC at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/sccc
>