Session 17, August Ø5 with Recording

New Characters Introduced:
26


Comprehensive list of all characters introduced so far:
E T A O N R I S D K Q W H C V Y U B L M 7 P X F G J Z
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9              ?



Featured this session was our first time spent listening to live HF CW conversations together.   This is now the new best way to practice.  There will never be a substitute to listening to the real thing under actual on air conditions.  Real static.  Real QRM.  Real hams.  Some sending too fast.  Some with lazy fists.  All of it adds to the challenge.

Remember.  Getting angry or frustrated is pointless.

You cannot expect the world to change its behavior simply because you wish for it to be easier for you to copy.   This attitude will guarantee you a miserable experience, don't allow yourself to fall into that trap.

It is up to YOU to become so skilled at your craft that you can copy anyone, no matter whether their signal is an exhausted last place marathon runner that stumbles from your receiver, or an angel that floats out of the speaker with grace.  Believe me when I tell you that both signals can be magnificent in their own way.  One ever so humble and ugly, but yet inspiring in dedication, sheer effort, and raw perseverance.   The other lovely and so uplifting that the code sings a melody to your ears.

Every snap of QRN, every different tone of QRM, every fist that wavers, every ham that doesn't want to slow down.  It all adds to the gloriously delicious cacophony that is CW Ham Radio.  Immerse yourself in it.  Rejoice in the complexity, but yet appreciate the subtle sense of order within the chaos.  It is this rich environment which you are training to call your home.  

You are now starting to see within yourself some of the skills required to participate in this captivating free form finger dance ham operators perform to express themselves to each other.  With each passing day and with each successive practice session, your skills will converge a touch futher. Nobody ever learns all the skills, but that too gives each of us something further to strive toward.

You are on the cusp of beginning a magnificent odyssey.  Where it may take you is unknown, but the wondrous journey will be something to behold.

Taste it.  Embrace it.  Luxuriate in the challenges almost met as much as the ones overcome.  Both make great stories to share with fellow travelers on this CW path.

Part of me envies each of you.  You're just at the beginning.  The whole world is in front of you to grasp.

Keep listening on.


Session 17, August Ø5 Recording


Mark,
NRØR