Great advice Matt. I had my first cw contact today. I was nervous but had a program to translate. I was proud when I was done, but had a patient op. What I learned was I need to learn the proper abbreviations to use. I find I want to try more now. On Mar 13, 2012 6:36 PM, "Matt Maguire" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi David, > > No need to stress about CW contacts -- just realise that the only critical > thing you need to copy is the callsign. Ideally you'll also get a signal > report, name and QTH as well. Of course you can ask for repeats, but > consider if it is a casual contact and you miss those, what's the worst > thing that could happen? No-one will even know except for you. So, just > relax, try and get the basic info if you can, if not, don't worry, and > treat everything else as gravy. And remember, you're free to say "TNX FER > QSO 73" at any time :-) > > Another way to build confidence might be to use a computer program called > "Morse Runner". It simulates contest-style QSOs for you. Contesting may not > be what you ultimately want to do, but the program will get you used to > copying callsigns and signal reports (well, numbers at least). > > As for K3 vs KX3, both are good options. The TS-830S is a nice radio with > plenty of grunt -- do you have any of the optional CW filters for the > TS-830S? If so, you already have a pretty good radio for casual home > operation, and the KX3 will offer you a portability that you don't have > now, plus a chance to play with some fun new things like the I/Q outputs. > On the the hand, if you want a nice modern home base station, the K3-line > is pretty attractive too. > > Good luck, let us know which way you finally decide to jump. > > 73, Matt VK2ACL > > > On 14/03/2012, at 9:44 AM, David Stratton wrote: > > > My radio needs are very modest for I am not a contester, > > > > or DXer, or even one who makes a lot of contacts but I > > > > do listen quite a bit. I do like to have a fine radio and > > > > presently own one - the Kenwood TS-830S. I have no > > > > intention of parting with it. As far as modes go I operate > > > > HF primarily SSB and PSK31. I am trying to improve > > > > my CW ability however I have a problem with CW. Just > > > > like some people have mic fright I have CW contact fright. > > > > I like CW but I just can't do it and enjoy it. The final bit of > > > > information is the fact that my wife hates amateur radio, > > > > which causes me to occasionally put my radio in storage. > > > > > > > > I will digest all the thoughtful comments many of you made > > > > and make my decision. Although I do operate from home, > > > > you can see that for me perhaps getting away to the local > > > > state park or some other place away from home might provide > > > > me with the best operating enjoyment. Doing that would be > > > > best accomplished with the KX3. > > > > > > > > Dave - KO4KL > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
