MrFidget
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Registered: 09-2018
Posts: 107
Karma: 3 (+3/-0)
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For those interested in picking up CW again...
Hey all
I recently decided to get back on the air and part of that was to get my CW skills up to scratch. Prior to my license being officially reinstated, I figured I could get on the air with CW and have much less grief from the other operators as they would have looked up my call and said “oh no, he’s not licensed, but he is usign CW, but he is operating unlicensed, but he is using a straight key...”
Anyway, during part of that journey I discovered the SKCC or Straight Key Century Club. A free to join, collection of licensed (they wouldn’t let me join until I had my official ticket) amateur operators interested in punching out code at all speeds using straight keys, side swipe keys and mechanical bugs. No electronic keyers, no keyboard generated code. All done with your fist and optionally a vibrating weighted bar of you’re into steampunk bug keyers
Plenty of people willingly punch out code to you at 5WPM sent in triplicate as well as those who will push you along at 15-20WPM or faster
While my radio time is limited, the mailing list and other resources have been an absolute education into radio history, technology and the air time has helped my get my code over 10WPM and up to 15-18WPM by a few ops.
Anyway, for those who are over FT8, want the personal touch of a “real QSO” but the bands aren’t quite there yet for voice, and you want to try CW again, google Straight Key Century Club and sign up. It’s FREE !!! Mention my name for a 10% discount and a “who sent you ???”
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8/Aug/2020, 9:18 am
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MrFidget
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Registered: 09-2018
Posts: 107
Karma: 3 (+3/-0)
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Re: For those interested in picking up CW again...
I’m shilling for them off my own bat. I just got a lot of value from the community both on air and off air
I also forgot to tag the post to notify me of any replies to the post :-)
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8/Aug/2020, 9:20 am
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2FB059
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Registered: 11-2019
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 35
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Re: For those interested in picking up CW again...
SKCC member here too; I do enjoy the various on-air events (they're NOT contests!) and advocating for CW. Gives me an excuse to use my steampunk bug key
Now, if I could just find the time to get on the air again...
--- I see many sunspots in your future.
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11/Aug/2020, 1:22 am
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