[UK-CONTEST] CW speed - my thoughts

[Clive GM3POI]

I entirely agree Bob, having gone down a similar road myself. What you 
saying is effectively NO low speed part of the band is needed if others do 
what you and I did before the days of computers. Overall I think cw contest 
speeds are higher than 30-40 years ago however they are not that much higher 
in smaller domestic contests and we now have Morse Runner etc. 73 Clive 
GM3POI
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Henderson" <bob at 5b4agn.net>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 6:19 AM
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] CW speed - my thoughts


>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.
>
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