[UK-CONTEST] FW: 80m CC CW G3SJJ

[johndunnington]

Lee suggested I forward our private exchange to the reflector so with
shotgun at the ready to repel boarders here goes...

-----Original Message-----
From: johndunnington [mailto:johndunnington at johndunnington.karoo.co.uk]
Sent: 25 February 2006 14:48
To: Lee Volante
Subject: RE: [UK-CONTEST] 80m CC CW G3SJJ

I read em and say now't but think a  lot!
If 50+ yrs of cw private and pro are worthwhile then a word or two as
observation and comment..those in the know appologies those that don't you
might learn something.

Most software you don't HAVE TO WAIT until you get your RST and EXCHANGE if
you are in SP Mode for sloow typists send his 599# then finish off your
typing if you can still remember what he sent you!

Same goes for running mode start your reply to the selected caller and
continue entering his call and so long as you get it into the call field it
will pick it up.

Operating manuals of any sort (software or hardware) are often not best when
written by the designer as with respect they assume the reader is at a
standard higher than idiot level which in my case is totally the wrong
assumption. At the end of the day there is no substitute for practical on
line operating. My early CT experience was gained using the PED Simulator
perhaps one of the software wizards could do similar for the beginners on
Wintest or SD. I sometimes wonder exactly how many of the facilities
available are used by operators of the current contest logging software
given the multiple keystrrokes needed in some cases.and the Phd needed to
set up Wlog Messages.

Now the big one..we used to get fingers rattled if we committed PENCIL TO
PAPER prior to receiving at least 3-Characters. I suspect quite a lot of
initial anticipation (nervous reaction) goes on so hitting the keyboard
early soothes the brain but when faced with "M/" a sort of wow whats that
reaction occurs and confuses both brain and fingers. This is quickly
followed by panic stations for the inexperienced and perhaps some
experienced who have anticipated early.

Like most I have several keyboards and the more recent versions are too
narrow for my fat fingers so I use the biggest keyboard I can find for two
main reasons I can find the "Insert Key" blindfolded, and don't hit dual
keys by mistake.

Finally I perhaps am one of few who use multiple software packages according
to my needs..in the last 3-CC Sessions I used

SSB Win Test
DATA Writelog seemed best for the job and no place could I find if WinTest
supported Datamodes.
CW N1MM great 2-VFO Band maps and for SJJ benefit send on Enter Mode great
for both SP and Run Modes. (Once mastered)

An unexpected landline with Mr SD he pointed out that although I love SD for
many RSGB contests SD grows and does things you have to read the manual to
appreciate fully. For SO operation the multiplier displays and general
information shown often are far better than the USA based software. Take a
look at SDC for the upcoming Commonwealth Contest. Not found anything that
shows 3-Bonus QSO's per Call Area per Band in real time as you enter the
callsign. OK so the function keys as delivered might be non -industry
standard change them to suit yourself no big deal..

As I recall I sent  GE name to about 3-or-4 only to avoid the shock of
hearing me in a contest but generally as Clive commented no it is short
sharp 599# as I am not really interested in nice chatty exchanges in a
contest. Pretty sure a few fell off their respective perches when I called
them on RTTY as this was a real first for me and only the weekend prior had
I got going on the mode. Prefer brain decoding to machine decoding but
slowly getting to the age when I might need machine assistance sooner than
later.

 End of sermon back to operating

John G3LZQ