[VHFcontesting] CW

[Crownhaven]

It is hard to learn something if you don't enjoy it.  I would suggest, 
after you have learned the characters audibly, no matter how slow you 
might be able to copy, that you get on the air and do ONE CW QSO every 
day.  Forty and 80 meters are good bands.  Soon you will find it 
exciting to hear your call when someone comes back.  Also, very 
interesting to see where they are.  Send very slow CQs.  Someone else 
trying to learn will answer you.  Your speed will improve rapidly.  It 
is frustrating at first but comes quickly.  My project was to work all 
states on CW as a technician and I did it. 

One of my most memorable QSOs as a new ham was working a long-haul truck 
driver on 40 meters who only operated CW from a key strapped to his knee.

You really need to have some CW skills to adequately utilize the VHF/UHF 
bands.  Otherwise, the tough contacts will elude you.

Steve, N4JQQ, EM55