Joshua -- I would encourage you to do so. W1AW practice runs are great (are they still running? I haven't listened for quite some time . . . ); and when you feel up to it try to work in or even just listen in to a contest. Some of it will blaze by but over time it'll sink in. Best advice I had long ago was to not try to translate from dots and dashes to letters - rather, learn the way a character sounds, by constant repetition and listening, listening, listening.
Maybe easier said than done, but you might find it worthwhile. The advantage is particularly noticeable with a QRP or even just a modest station. A good CW op can make up with skill for a lot of DBs forgone. And really good ops will ALWAYS go QRS to match a station calling them. Since being licensed in 1957 I can remember only two periods of two years each when I used phone (AM, at the time). Before and since it has been exclusively CW. In fact, before getting the K3 I had and still have a FT-847 and a FT-950 which may or may not even work on data or SSB - I've never tried them in those modes. (They are both for sale, in case anyone reading this is interested.) It's all a matter of taste, of course; but CW is mine. Best of luck . . . Ted, KN1CBR > >Message: 21 >Date: Tue, 27 May 2014 08:25:07 -0400 >From: Joshua Gould <[email protected]> >To: Lee Trout <[email protected]>, Elecraft List > <[email protected]> >Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Activity in ancient 15-meter novice band (21.1 > MHz) >Message-ID: > <CAHk01bC4by-YLjo6dLDmEb1HCHA+LBsLHW2UM=nmrvgqpv3...@mail.gmail.com> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > >I keep throwing around the idea of trying to learn code again. When I got >licensed as a no code tech, I stayed there for the first ten years because >every time that I would try to learn code to upgrade, my brain was having >none of it. Now that I've upgraded to General and I have access to more >bands (where CW is still used) the idea is growing on me again. I am >planning to purchase a KX3 in early July, and would love to know code so >that I can play around on CW while QRP. Between attending college and >other work related responsibilities, I'm not sure that is going to happen >before I get my KX3. I would hope that if I learn the code, someone will >slow down and have a QSO with a newbie... > >Joshua Gould >K8WXA > > ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [email protected]
