[UK-CONTEST] CW Sending speed

[Dave Sergeant]

On 26 Nov 2009 at 21:33, Ken Eastty wrote:

> I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the problem of typing speed (or
> even writing speed). I believe that unless you are a touch typist (& how
> many of us are?) it's difficult to type with two fingers at much more
> than 20 w.p.m? 

Well I put my hand up as someone who does touch type - I taught myself 
in my teens and it is probably the most useful thing I ever did. Not 
actually having to look at the keyboard but just type the right keys 
helps a lot (just as I am doing typing this).

OK in contests I mainly do search and pounce, as on QRP CQing normally 
gets me nowhere. I work truly multi hand - when entering callsigns and 
QSO details both hands are above the keyboard. When tuning, my left 
hand is on the tuning knob of the rig, when calling and working the 
right hand is on the key. Occasionally I move over and pick up the 
tea/coffee cup or grab a quick bite of a sandwich in between overs. 
Yes, you can do it - and I am also one of those who NEVER uses the F1 
key or whatever, everything is hand sent, it is much easier to stay in 
control that way.

As to whether you can do it at 40wpm, I suspect that is a bit quick 
even for the professional typists. But you can most definitely do it at 
30-35wpm.

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com