[SECC] CW Contests

[Bill Coleman]

On Nov 4, 2010, at 9:11 PM, Bill Wilson wrote:
 
> Having teethed on CW as a Crystal Controlled, 75 watt novice Op, back when, I still have a passion for CW.

Not quite that old. By the time I was a novice, we could use VFOs.

> However, when it comes to CW contests, I'm left in the dust.  I can run around 20WPM, but many contest stations run faster than that. Memory Keyers, CW Programs, etc., for many I expect, and I realize many hands on stations too.
>  
> As much as I love CW, I just can't see running free-handed CW contests.  Hints, Secrets, ideas, freeware, shareware (that works), and I may one day hope to join you in the CW contests.

Bill, is it that you can't receive fast enough, or can't send fast enough? I was in the same boat as you about 15 years ago. I could send / receive about 20 wpm, but that was about it, and I was writing as fast as I could. I was encouraged by W4AN (SK) to throw away my pencil and try to copy everything in my head. I operated at least a few hours in every CW contest I could find. Bill encouraged me to try and operate CW every day if I could. If I had taken his advice, it would't have taken me so long, but I eventually got to the point where I could copy contest CW at around 25-30 wpm. At that point, I found I could start running, which brought on a whole new set of skills to learn.

The main thing is to keep at it. My first NAQP CW I operated 10 hours and made 120 QSOs. Now, I can do much better. Keep practicing and you'll improve.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901