[TenTec] CW Proficiency, Contesting, etc.

[Tony Martin W4FOA]

Hi Ronnie,
This is NOT the answer you are looking for.  Please take this as an attempt to help, and not a condescending attitude.

What you want to do is commendable!  However, there is not a quick and easy way to get where you want to go, it is as simple as that.

The ONLY way you will become proficient in CW and Contesting is through practice....there is no other way, period.  As for a place to ragchew, I suggest 40 meters CW from 7040 up to 7060 or so....you will find QRP'ers and FISTS members, most of whom are more than willing to slow down or speed up as you wish.  Throw away your pencil and paper, except to make one or two word notes to tickle your memory when you are responding to the station you are QSO'ing. If you are trying to write down everything you are hearing (copying letter for letter), you are headed for major disappointment....head copying is the ONLY way.

As for contesting....I suggest you find a club and participate in this upcoming Field Day.....hopefully the club will have a GOTA (Get On The Air) station, exactly what you are looking for and need to begin contesting.  Field Day is a wonderful place to learn contest exchanges, logging, etc.....you can find slow as well as VERY fast stations....suggest any contest you participate in for the near future, you use the "S&P" (search and pounce) method....that is, you do not call CQ contest, but rather you reply to others only.  To boost your confidence, I suggest before you call a station, you already have his info down on a piece of paper and as he sends a reply to you, you simply confirm what you have written down.  Try to participate in as many contests as your schedule will permit...even if you make only a half dozen contests QSOs, you will begin to build up your confidence.  At this point, QUALITY is far more important than QUANTITY....the latter will come with practice.  Another suggestion, if you want to be a successful contester, you CANNOT be timid!  You must be somewhat aggressive, almost to the point of being rude...many highly successful contesters are indeed aggressive and rude, hi.

As I said in the first paragraph, I know this is not what you want to hear but trust me, there are no shortcuts to achieving what you wish to achieve.  Patience, perseverance, dedication, concentration, determination, and last but not least, practice will get you where you want to go....not this month, not this year and maybe not even next year BUT you will get there!

My 2 cents. Others may agree or disagree, but I am sure all responses are intended to be encouraging and helpful.

Good luck Ronnie...and if I hear you on the bands I will certainly give you a call.

73
Tony, W4FOA
Chickamauga, GA