Homework for Session 20, August 12. SPEED SENDING!

Greetings to the classiest group of CW students of all time!

I will be calling on each of you on Monday to send at your maximum speed that you are able to send ACCURATELY.

IMPORTANT:  No compromises on your ergonomics.  Set up your key or paddles on the desk/table the right way.  Make sure the fleshy part of your arm below the elbow is resting on the table.  Use the correct body position.  Get the details correct.  Practice using the correct techniques.  Show yourself at your best on Monday Night.

Work on sending the following text for class:

W1AW/2 DE {your callsign} FB GE UR RST 569 569, NAME HR IS {your name} {your name}, QTH {your city} {your city}, RIG HR IS {your hf rig make and model*} {rig make and model*},  ANT HR IS {the type of hf antenna you have**} {the type of hf antenna you have**} AT {your hf antenna height**} FT {your hf antenna height**} FT .  NICE MEETING U.  73  AR W1AW/2 DE {your callsign} SK {shave and a haircut without 2 bits}

Note that there are some commas and a periods in the above text.

* If you do not have your own HF rig yet say your rig is "WEB SDR"

** If you do not have an HF antenna up yet, guess at the antenna type you think you might put up once you are able, and guess at the height you think you will be able to put it.

Stay relaxed.

Stay Relaxed.

STAY RELAXED!!!!!!

I guess yelling at you in text form won't relax you, but I do want to stress how important it is to stay relaxed.

If you make an error, don't stop.  Correct the error by sending your string of dits and resending the word you flubbed and continue.  Practice that way.  Correct your errors in practice as well as on Monday Night.

To maximize your speed, focus on reducing the gap between characters compared to the way we have been practicing in class so far.  The ideal gap between characters should be the same as the length of 3 dits.  The ideal gap between words should be the same as the length of 8 dits, but don't assume you must reach that ideal spacing by Monday night.   Only go as fast as you are able to send accurately.  Remember, accuracy is ALWAYS the fastest way to communicate.  Repeats slow communication down by at least half, usually more.

It's okay if you are not able to receive at the speed you will be practicing your sending for this exercise.

This drill is not only intended to improve your ability to send, but it will indirectly improve your brain's ability to associate morse code at the higher WPM speed, which will help your receiving.  This drill will also give you practice sending the key items of information unique to yourself that you are likely to be sending during real QSOs.

Just do your best.  Go only as fast as you are able to send ACCURATELY.  You are only competing with yourself as you work to improve each day.

If you have any questions before class, feel free to email me.

I look forward to hearing each of you Monday Night at 7pm.

Have Fun!  Everything gets better and more fun from here on.

Mark

NRØR