I can't be the only CW person in here.

It was a good time this past week with the Special Event and making
it a Ham Radio focused vacation for once. Something I did find though
was that while I was stalking my prey station for the event I came
across loads of other operators calling CQ. By this time I had swapped
by cootie (double speed) key over to the keyer so that I might stand a chance with K2E who refused for most of the week to operate at less than 35WPM and wasn't making much in the way of replies to slower stations.
I can copy at 35-40, anyone who practices can, but it's work, and
this is my hobby.

I haven't got on the air much due to other incidences in real life, yet
once I saw schematics for a CW QRP transceiver (based on a pixie) , powered by potatoes, I fell in love to the point that I'm forming a digital punk
band called

M C R

My CW Romance

High power rigs are neat yet .. I am SLOW, yet I love being able to
have a transeeiver whhich can fit in a tuna fish can.

That being said I dialed in my keyer and kept hunting but I was sort n2> of put off not being able to answer several SKCC calls for the change in n2> set up. Now combine that with a long smoldering desire for a crack at n2> this I've decided I'm getting a bug. n2> There are loads of contrivances to slow the roll of a semi-automatic n2> keyer such as the Vibroplex so I can work in that sweet spot of 15-20 n2> WPM where I like to hang out, but I can also answer the SKCC calls of my n2> fellow looking for numbers and chasing that next appended letter. So, n2> back to school for me I think, I'll have to relearn my key! n2> Currently I'm using a Vibrokeyer that I've got wired as double speed n2> key and it's been really great. I'm comfortable with the hardware but I n2> hope I'm able to convince my brain after a decade of this that I have to n2> pick a direction now! n2>

Any other Vibroplex operators out there? I'm thinking I'll use my set
up to practice sending to something like my FLDigi of PK-232 to make
sure I'm sending quality code. I've read one should vary the speed regularly too to keep sharp.

Any pointers for a new bug operator?

best 73

I could use some pointers myself :D s

... Even The Dead pay taxes (and they aren't Grateful).

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I can't be the only CW person in here.

It was a good time this past week with the Special Event and making it a Ham Radio focused vacation for once. Something I did find though was that while I was stalking my prey station for the event I came across loads of other operators calling CQ. By this time I had swapped by cootie (double speed) key over to the keyer so that I might stand a chance with K2E who refused for most of the week to operate at less than 35WPM and wasn't making much in the way of replies to slower stations.
I can copy at 35-40, anyone who practices can, but it's work, and this is my hobby.
That being said I dialed in my keyer and kept hunting but I was sort of put off not being able to answer several SKCC calls for the change in set up. Now combine that with a long smoldering desire for a crack at this I've decided I'm getting a bug.
There are loads of contrivances to slow the roll of a semi-automatic keyer such as the Vibroplex so I can work in that sweet spot of 15-20 WPM where I like to hang out, but I can also answer the SKCC calls of my fellow looking for numbers and chasing that next appended letter. So, back to school for me I think, I'll have to relearn my key!
Currently I'm using a Vibrokeyer that I've got wired as double speed key and it's been really great. I'm comfortable with the hardware but I hope I'm able to convince my brain after a decade of this that I have to pick a direction now!

Any other Vibroplex operators out there? I'm thinking I'll use my set up to practice sending to something like my FLDigi of PK-232 to make sure I'm sending quality code. I've read one should vary the speed regularly too to keep sharp.

Any pointers for a new bug operator?

best 73

N2QFD{Queen City BBS}:// "Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me right now?" - Craig Ferguson

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I haven't been on the airwaves for years.
Still have a HF rig but not used it.
I ought to turn the RX on just to see if there is any use in the CW portions most Hams can't use unless they got the top license.
Hope so.
I own a Vibroplex Bug and a J-38 Key.
Bought the Bug with a Case back in the early 1960's.

When in the Navy, the Base Ham Shack got a Central Electronics 100V .
I loved that rig, but when my Ship came back to the USA another officer was in charge of the Shack and traded off the 100V (and 600L) and replaced them with Collins S-Line (version -1).

I tried to send CQ but never had a answer.
I mentioned it to the Officer-in-charge of the station and he came to the shack and showed me the J-38 key was plugged in the PTT jack.

He was a SSB'er and told me I could plug the key in the Key Jack but to be sure I moved the plug back into the PTT Jack when I left the shack.

I finally was able to operate CW there again.

While reading the 32S-1 manual I noticed that rig keyed an Audio Oscillator in Single Side Band Mode.
My thoughts were that I was using A2 emission on that rig, and A2 mode was illegal on 20 Meters.

I guess The Friendly Country Cousins thinks it's O.K. because Collins put it in their 32S-1 TX .

73 Ed W9ODR
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I haven't been on the airwaves for years.
Still have a HF rig but not used it.
I ought to turn the RX on just to see if there is any use in the CW portions most Hams can't use unless they got the top license.
Hope so.

They seem to Ed, that's where the DX is still happening. I'm a general so not permitted but I do sweep past and see what's doing not that I can keep up!
I never have had the chance to use a Collins, not yet. When I worked for Corning Inc we had a club and there was Drake gear all matched up station and a short tower on the roof of what was then the Baron Stuben Hotel in down town Corning, NY. You got into the shack through a little half door in the hall it was like a sort of un used partial room that had to happen from combining buildings at some point. By then and this was the year 2000 there were no more hams at Corning Inc, I think I was the last one locally to be involved. A VP coming through who was also licensed opened up the club for me.
Don't think I've been miss connected quite like you were but just recently I was trying to use my code oscillator to practice with this bug and could not get the computer to hear me.. well that's because I was plugged in direct and not with the splitter that breaks the line out between the headphones and the computer in. I like to use FLDigi to see if I'm making good letters. If the machine gets me a human will get me!

Best 73 and thanks for the story,


Malachi//N2QFD

N2QFD{Queen City BBS}:// "Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me right now?" - Craig Ferguson

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They seem to Ed, that's where the DX is still happening. I'm a general so not permitted but I do sweep past and see what's doing not that I can keep up!
I never have had the chance to use a Collins, not yet. When I worked for Corning Inc we had a club and there was Drake gear all matched up station and a short tower on the roof of what was then the Baron Stuben Hotel in down town Corning, NY. You got into the shack through a little half door in the hall it was like a sort of un used partial room that had to happen from combining buildings at some point. By then and this was the year 2000 there were no more hams at Corning Inc, I think I was the last one locally to be involved. A VP coming through who was also licensed opened up the club for me.
Don't think I've been miss connected quite like you were but just recently I was trying to use my code oscillator to practice with this bug and could not get the computer to hear me.. well that's because I was plugged in direct and not with the splitter that breaks the line out between the headphones and the computer in. I like to use FLDigi to see if I'm making good letters. If the machine gets me a human will get me!

Best 73 and thanks for the story,

Malachi//N2QFD

N2QFD{Queen City BBS}:// "Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me right now?" - Craig Ferguson

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FLDigi ???
I don't subscribe to any Amateur Radio publications or catalogs, so I am unaware of what a FLDigi is.

Haven't used a Code Practice Oscillator in a L O N G. time.
The only practice I do is when I see letters on auto license plates I will think of them in CW.

How about this for a Tagline:
ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA is how I say the Alphabet.
I can send it in CW too.

Another story: when in Navy Radiomans School I was listening to mixed words when I heard TENNESSEE
On the air I had heard TENN but not the whole word sent.
The sound of it jarred me.
It has a nice rhythm, try sounding it out
73 es be a good LID.
I try to be one.
Ed
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FLDigi ???
I don't subscribe to any Amateur Radio publications or catalogs, so I am unaware of what a FLDigi is.

FLDigi is a bit of software that came about as the sound card's got better in PC's and you could use them to make/decode digital signals for HF. It has a CW decoder in it but like most machines it really can't get a great copy on human made CW. This is where we'll always beat the machine! The human hand and brain trumps the machine sent/received CW.

How about this for a Tagline:
ZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA is how I say the Alphabet.
I can send it in CW too.

Another story: when in Navy Radiomans School I was listening to mixed words when I heard TENNESSEE
On the air I had heard TENN but not the whole word sent.
The sound of it jarred me.
It has a nice rhythm, try sounding it out

Now this is something to try doing, and great advice. I often would send alphabet as taught then numbers and prosigns, but reversing it would be good good practice.

I think sending Japan is a strange word in CW too, at least for my brain. And I play that car game too, thinking of the letters I'm seeing. It's been years and years since I've had a 73 via horn on the highway as well. I think to do it myself when I see a callsign plate but then I also think, well... don't want to scare him + probably doesn't know code...

Milliwatt sprint last night with NAQCC was difficult. I was tired, and this is a poor starting point. Working for the utility NYSEG we've been cleaning up from storm damage thru NY this week. Then conditions were not super. Lots of lightning crashes, fade and interference. Signal reports were 229 339 some 459's but not much better and I was using 4 watts unlike some of them really squeezing the electrons and sending 72 at the end of the QSO!
We go to the radio with the conditions we have eh? There were a few dozen working the sprint and we made it happen so can't beat that.

I'll work on good lid, haven't had anyone send QLF in a while... probably deserve it after that sprint!

Best 73 to you too.

Mal

N2QFD{Queen City BBS}:// "Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me right now?" - Craig Ferguson

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Queen City BBS (21:1/154)

FLDigi is a bit of software that came about as the sound card's got better in PC's and you could use them to make/decode digital signals for HF. It has a CW decoder in it but like most machines it really can't get a great copy on human made CW. This is where we'll always beat the machine! The human hand and brain trumps the machine sent/received CW.

Now this is something to try doing, and great advice. I often would send alphabet as taught then numbers and prosigns, but reversing it would be good good practice.

I think sending Japan is a strange word in CW too, at least for my brain. And I play that car game too, thinking of the letters I'm seeing. It's been years and years since I've had a 73 via horn on the highway as well. I think to do it myself when I see a callsign plate but then I also think, well... don't want to scare him + probably doesn't know code...

Milliwatt sprint last night with NAQCC was difficult. I was tired, and this is a poor starting point. Working for the utility NYSEG we've been cleaning up from storm damage thru NY this week. Then conditions were not super. Lots of lightning crashes, fade and interference. Signal reports were 229 339 some 459's but not much better and I was using 4 watts unlike some of them really squeezing the electrons and sending 72 at the end of the QSO!
We go to the radio with the conditions we have eh? There were a few dozen working the sprint and we made it happen so can't beat that.

I'll work on good lid, haven't had anyone send QLF in a while... probably deserve it after that sprint!

Best 73 to you too.

Mal

N2QFD{Queen City BBS}:// "Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me right now?" - Craig Ferguson

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Mal, When I saw QLF , I once put a J-38 key on the floor and used my Left Foot to send CQ and began a QSO using the foot for a bit.
BTW, I am Left-Handed.

When I use my Bug, I make Dashes with my thumb, but prefer the Straight Key.

You mentioned sending CW by Hand.
Seeing that reminded me of a movie I saw on TV long ago in which a Telegrapher aboard a ship was killed while sending. A message and then the murderer sent the end of the message.
During the Investigation the operator at the land base station told the law that he heard a different FIST sending the end of the message.

TKS about explaining FLDigi to me.
It not recognizing hand sent CW made me think about the Farnsworth(sp?) tape machines that were used when I was in Radioman School.
FLDigi must want that style of code, to IT any other code would have be slurred.

I have seen some nice keyer projects, but never built one.
One Ham I knew had a CW Keyboard, those are nice, but EXPENSIVE!!!

Back in 1984 I got a C=64 program that sent CW as I typed it.
Later on used that PC with Digicom for packet.

You wrote about tapping 73 on the car horn, some time ago I saw a car license plate with a Amateur Radio Calling and tapped . . . . . .
and the driver acted like he got disturbed with 'that guy in the car behind him'.

Seeing Japan in your reply had me think of a book the Library had called
"A Nmemonic Device for Memorizing The International Morse Code", a Army manual I found in the Library.
In the book, for the letter P it said to think of the word PAN,
P=A+N.
. - - .
Together equals . - - .

Those low RST's You gave during the QRP Contest to those stations, was it because of Band conditions or because of the very low power the rigs had?

In a earlier post You said you never had Collins Gear, the Navy Ham Shack was where I used the Collins S-Line.
Before the Central Electronics gear arrive at the station the rig was a (iicr) T-350 XM .
That beast had two 813s putting out 700 watts AM or CW.

I saved a page showing it - www.isquare.com/personal_pages/t350.htm

That address is one I got in 2017, hope it is still good. I don't know how to be logged on the BBS typing a reply and being able to use another session of Firefox to check the URL out.
Hope it works.
When that thing was keyed up on AM IT created a gap for ITSELF in the Band.

The only Drake here is a 2-B with 2-BQ .
73 de Ed . .
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Mal, I just looked at the Reply I entered and noticed this Android phone edited the post a bit adding or deleting Spaces or Periods.

I can send better CW than this thing can let me type with it.
Sometimes I just haft to Praise The Lord anyhow.
73 Ed
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Mal, When I saw QLF , I once put a J-38 key on the floor and used my
Left Foot to send CQ and began a QSO using the foot for a bit.
BTW, I am Left-Handed.

Left handed people are in their right minds! This is what my mom always said anyhow. Dad always said she set the table backwards, but it never bothered me.

During the Investigation the operator at the land base station told the law that he heard a different FIST sending the end of the message.

I love this and it goes so under appreciated. I can tell who's sending on a straight key too. My dad's fist for example is so regular to me I know when he's thinking about something he's trying to send. But I can sometimes tell a CQ before the call sign on 40m where I've hung out for so long by the fist too.
I think people get the impression that CW is cold and that's just not true. It's such a mind to mind conversation with an individual and that hand on the sending device very much comes though which is why I like the straight keys too. I think the keyers steal away the personality.

Those low RST's You gave during the QRP Contest to those stations, was it because of Band conditions or because of the very low power the rigs had?

Both, band was down plus we were all on the electronic kazoos of the amateur world with just enough electrons to vibrate a xtal.

That beast had two 813s putting out 700 watts AM or CW.

I saved a page showing it - www.isquare.com/personal_pages/t350.htm

That address is one I got in 2017, hope it is still good. I don't know
how to be logged on the BBS typing a reply and being able to use another session of Firefox to check the URL out.
Hope it works.

GOOD LORD that thing could make you a grilled cheese sandwich while you were sending too. People talk about how much cooling is needed for todays computers, I don't think they appreciate the hum and the glow of tube life!

Did some Slow Speed Contests this weekend. CQ SST from K3USN the idea is it should be casual and 20WPM max which suits me. Friday the bands were unsettled, but it was only 4-5 PM east coast so makes sense on 40m to be a lot of fade at that hour in the summer. Last night Sunday it was 8-9PM and the bands were stable but everyone knew it too! I worked 2 stations calling SST but then kept hitting CQ FP and it turned out the Flying Pigs QRP club was doing something called the Bacon Run so I looked them up and figured out non-club exchange and got a few of them some points. Then I hit a guy calling CQ WWFF and had to look that up... World Wide Flora and Fauna... whatever, did a quick QSO with him too, then it was time to get ready for bed.

Another week of being a NYSEG draftsman is ahead of me and if the world can not have any major computer outages again that would be nice!

Best 73

Mal

N2QFD{Queen City BBS}:// "Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me right now?" - Craig Ferguson

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Left handed people are in their right minds! This is what my mom always said anyhow. Dad always said she set the table backwards, but it never bothered me.

Mal, Your Mom is correct.
I can remember in 7th Grade Health class learning about the Mudula Oblagotta (I think that I am close to how it is spelled).
And the Right side of the brain controls the Left side of the body.

I love this and it goes so under appreciated. I can tell who's sending on a straight key too. My dad's fist for example is so regular to me I know when he's thinking about something he's trying to send. But I can sometimes tell a CQ before the call sign on 40m where I've hung out for so long by the fist too.
I think people get the impression that CW is cold and that's just not true. It's such a mind to mind conversation with an individual and that hand on the sending device very much comes though which is why I like the straight keys too. I think the keyers steal away the personality.

Both, band was down plus we were all on the electronic kazoos of the amateur world with just enough electrons to vibrate a xtal.

GOOD LORD that thing could make you a grilled cheese sandwich while you were sending too. People talk about how much cooling is needed for todays computers, I don't think they appreciate the hum and the glow of tube life!

How far down did Your Jaw Drop when looking at that Monster.
Down as far as the keyboard.
Keying up that thing on AM made a THUMP!!!!!
73 de Ed

Did some Slow Speed Contests this weekend. CQ SST from K3USN the idea is it should be casual and 20WPM max which suits me. Friday the bands were unsettled, but it was only 4-5 PM east coast so makes sense on 40m to be a lot of fade at that hour in the summer. Last night Sunday it was 8-9PM and the bands were stable but everyone knew it too! I worked 2 stations calling SST but then kept hitting CQ FP and it turned out the Flying Pigs QRP club was doing something called the Bacon Run so I looked them up and figured out non-club exchange and got a few of them some points. Then I hit a guy calling CQ WWFF and had to look that up... World Wide Flora and Fauna... whatever, did a quick QSO with him too, then it was time to get ready for bed.

Another week of being a NYSEG draftsman is ahead of me and if the world can not have any major computer outages again that would be nice!

I took Drafting in High School.

Best 73

Mal

N2QFD{Queen City BBS}:// "Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me right now?" - Craig Ferguson

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