As reported during class, everyone should now know more than enough information to get on the air and start making contacts. The primary thing each of you needs to now do is build up your accuracy and speed to where you feel comfortable and confident enough to take the courageous step and get on the air and make that first contact.
If you feel up to it and want to venture out on your own, go for it.
If you would rather have an Elmer working with you for the first contact, that is fine too. I'm willing to help if that is your wish. The choice is yours.
While listening to live ham conversations over the air using your own radio continues to be the BEST way to practice because it allows you to copy the real thing. It also helps you gauge your abilities and have a better idea when you are ready to start making contacts.
We discussed W1AW tonight.
Their over the air W1AW schedule is a good second choice to practice your code at ever increasing code speeds. The fact that it happens over the air is a good thing. Over the air practice is far superior to recordings.
http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-operating-schedule
Remember, you can use a websdr to listen to live over the air from any device with internet access if you find yourself away from your own hf radio.
http://www.sdrutah.org/websdr1.html
Recommend you select '40cw' and 'CW-med'
http://www.sdrutah.org/websdr2.html
During daylight hours, I recommend you select '20cw' and 'CW-med'. Sadly, during nighttime hours, this receiver will be mostly dead. Such is the nature of our current position in the 11 year sunspot cycle.
More websdr sites can be found at:
http://websdr.org/
Sometimes that page is slow to load. Be patient. Sometimes you'll need to refresh your browser a time or two to get it to come up. Once you find a particular websdr receiver site you like, I recommend you bookmark that particular site and go directly there rather than going through websdr.org every time.
If you wish to resort to recordings, that's okay too. It's not as good as copying live conversations over the air, but it's better than skipping practice time. It does have the advantage that recordings can be downloaded so that they will be available even if the internet is unavailable.
ARRL has plenty of good CW practice files available for download.
http://www.arrl.org/code-practice-files
There are a multitude of other great morse code resources out there. If you want me to check something out and offer an opinion on one, send me a link and I'll be happy to.
None of the above should mislead you into thinking that I'm casting you to the static to sink or swim all by yourself. Our classes will continue, but you should now consider our VHF get togethers as one part of a spectrum of resources at your disposal to help you gain speed, accuracy, and confidence to get on the air. You have a full buffet of practicing options at your fingertips. Exploit them. Every chance you get.
As you are practicing, you may come up with questions. Jot them down and bring them to the next class. Feel free to see if you can befuddle the instructor.
Session 21, August 14 Recording
See you for Friday Fun Night.
We may have a special Mystery Guest!
Morse Code Bingo may make its triumphant return due to popular demand.
Mark,
NRØR
No comments:
Post a Comment