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Re: [CQ-Contest] Learning Morse

To: k8gt@mi.rr.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Learning Morse
From: Steven Hanlon <asciibaron@comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:20:09 +0000 (UTC)
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
I loathed CW and only half heartedly learned it - all I wanted was to pass the 
5wpm for entry to the sizzle of HF operation. Once on HF, I made contacts using 
CW, but could not send worth a darn and could only work stations from packet 
spots - decoding the callsign of the other station was more of a verification 
that the spot was correct. All I had to do was push a button and the computer 
sent my call and the exchange. It wasn't very "fun" for me, but I was logging 
DX that I could not find on phone and that's all that mattered at that point. 
Get them in the log! 

Jump ahead a few years and like many things, with age comes wisdom. At Dayton 
this year I picked up a CMOS-4 keyer to use to practice sending - a real 
stumbling point in my enjoyment of using code. With practice I have improved 
and now I have decided to mainly work stations using CW. I am echoing the days 
of the old Novice ticket I guess - a self imposed limit that should improve my 
CW skills and hopefully result in me being a better operator. There is a huge 
sense of satisfaction that comes after spending time to master a skill - I have 
yet to master it, but looking back at where I started, I feel pretty good about 
my progress and know that I am improving. Each improvement has pushed me to 
improve even more. CW is fun now. 

The key (no pun intended) is practice - both sending and receiving. I look at 
my key and see it as a musical instrument - I know the notes, now I have to 
create the music. Just like a piano, I can't expect to know the notes and sit 
down and play Mozart with it sounding natural and beautiful. Why would I expect 
a different result with my code key? 

-Steve, WM3O 
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