[UK-CONTEST] CW speed - my thoughts

[Bob Henderson]

I agree with Graham that the confidence to have a go is essential.

I remember when I first became interested in CW contesting.  I was 
overwhelmed by it.  What a fantastic buzz.  It was Field day (NFD as it was 
then) about 1967.  I stood in awe as I listened to contesting gods in 
action.  It was magic.  It was indecipherable.  I didn't know the code.  I 
would have to learn it.

Once I became licensed I engaged contesting immediately.  Even then folks 
were sending at 25-30wpm, which was a whole lot faster than I could reliably 
read.  There were no computer trainers in those days.  There were no 
computers;-)

I had to adopt a different strategy.  Running was not a good way to go and 
for two reasons.  My signals were weak, so I couldn't hold a frequency but 
more importantly I didn't have the skill to run a pile because I couldn't 
read the code reliably enough at speed.  The answer was to S&P.  This gave 
me the advantage that I had time to work out who a station was before I 
tried to qso. I could also work out what the exchange he would send would 
be.  Even if it included a serial number.

Using S&P only and without the ability to read the code reliably, I was 
never going to win a contest.  I knew that.  Don't get me wrong; I certainly 
aspired to winning but I realised I had a whole lot to learn before that 
would become a possibility.

The key to motivation is the setting of realistic objectives.  Realising my 
limitations and understanding that winning was not an option forced me to 
focus on defining different objectives.  When it's a struggle to read the 
code, a 24 hour contest is impossible.  It's just too fatiguing.  Instead, I 
would divide the contest up into 1 hour segments or in the early days even 
half hour.  I would commit myself for a segment and go for it, aiming to 
work as many stations as I could.  At the end of the segment I would retire 
for a rest.  Later I would return for another.  Who was I competing against? 
ME, of course.

In each subsequent session I would focus on improving my S&P rate.  I didn't 
just try to work stations who sent slowly.  I would set out to work folks 
sending at all speeds.  In the case of the faster ones, I'd have to listen 
to three or four of their qsos before I figured out their call and what my 
exchange was going to be.

Adopting the above technique ensured I always pushed myself.  As a 
consequence, I found my copy speed rapidly increased.  So did my sending 
speed.  First on a pump handle then on a mechanical bug.  Of course there's 
little need to worry about sending competently these days, as a computer 
with any number of logging programs will do that for us.  One just needs to 
learn to read the stuff correctly.

My advice to aspiring contesters......

Get your sleeves rolled up and get involved.
Don't expect to compete on equal terms with those more experienced or better 
equipped than yourself.
Set personal objectives consistent with self improvement and with enjoyment 
of your participation in the event.
Push yourself.
Have fun.

Get on and do it !

Bob, 5B4AGN, P3F

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "G4FNL" <g4fnl at bubloz.demon.co.uk>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:52 PM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] CW speed - my thoughts


> Guys
>
> I don't usually pass comment - but reading the thread that's been 
> forming -
> I have a feeling that what is lacking is a lack confidence in one's own
> ability. As Bob and others have been stating - don't be afraid to have a
> go - and don't worry (too much) about the consequences.