How Bob Sees “Pounding Brass”

* We have left some things out because we didn’t remember them * Redundancy is good so you will hear some things twice

* The alphabet and numbers * =dah di di di dah * --double dash frequently used to separate thoughts *.di dah di dah di dah * ---Period *,dah dah di di dah dah * ----Comma * ?di di dah dah di di * --Question mark

* Letter abbreviations for the numbers: * 1A * 2U * 3V * 5E * 7B * 8D * 9N * 0T * You will see the N and T more frequently than the others

* The period of a single di is one unit * The period of a single dah is three units * A period of one unit separates each element, di or dah * A period of three units separates each character within a word. A period of seven units separates each word. * For purposes of specifying code speed, the “PARIS” 50-unit standard is used. From that standard, the following relationship is derived: u=1.2/c where: * U = period of one unit, in seconds * C = speed of transmission, in words per minute

* Traditionally, reducing the speed of Morse code has been done by making everything take longer, i.e. both the sounds and the silent periods between them. * Using Farnsworth timing, characters are sent at the same speed as at higher speeds, while extra spacing is inserted between characters and words to slow the transmission down. The advantage of this is that you get used to recognizing characters at a higher speed, and thus it will be easier to increase the speed later on. * Using Farnsworth timing is optional while learning Morse Code. * The ARRL uses Farnsworth timing for transmissions, practice and test tapes up to 18 WPM (90 CPM). * Farnsworth timing was invented by Donald R. Farnsworth (W6TTB) in the late 1950s.

* At speeds below 18 WPM, characters are sent using 18- WPM timing, but with extra delay added between characters and words to produce an overall lower speed. * Speeds are specified as s/c, where s is the overall transmission speed and c is character speed. For example, a 5-WPM transmission sent with 18-WPM characters is specified as 5/18 speed. * The adjustment to a lower speed is made by adding delay between characters and words. The added delays are constant for a given Farnsworth speed and will maintain the 3/7 ration of character space to word space.

* Learn the sounds of the letters, don’t memorize di’s and dah’s * Eventually you may learn the sound of entire words * Listen to a lot of code practice * Don’t try to send any code until you can maintain solid copy of “well sent” code * If you haven’t learned what “well sent” code sounds like, you can’t send well either. * There is lots of crappy code on the air * Some operators don’t know what good code sounds like * Others are trying to use keyers and can’t get the timing correct * Use a straight key first, leave the fancy stuff for later

* Computer software * Download files * * With a friend * From the air * Random QSO’s * W1AW Schedule

* W1AW Morse Code Transmissions * Frequencies are , , , , , , and MHz. * Slow Code = practice sent at 5, 7-1/2, 10, 13 and 15 words per minute (wpm). * Fast Code = practice sent at 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 13 and 10 wpm.

* Mon, Wed, Fri4:00, 10:00 P.M. ESTFast Code * Tue, Thu4:00, 10:00 P.M. ESTSlow Code * Mon, Wed, Fri7:00 P.M. ESTSlow Code * Tue, Thu7:00 P.M. ESTFast Code

* Operators shorten or abbreviate everything they can * When everyone knows the shorthand communications goes quicker

* QRL * Are you busy? I am busy. Please do not interfere. * QRM * Is my transmission being interfered with? Your transmission is being interfered with. * QRN * Are you troubled by static? I am troubled by static. * QRP * Low power, no more than 5 watts. Sometimes less than one watt.

* QRS * Shall I send more slowly? Send more slowly. * QRT * Shall I stop sending? Stop sending. * QRX * When will you call me again? I will call you again at ____ hours (on ____ KHz). Also means standby a moment. * QRZ * Who is calling me? You are being called by ____.

* QSB * Is my signal fading? Your signal is fading.

* QRL ? * Typically means: Is this frequency in use? * dah di di di dah, the = (double dash) symbol * I’m thinking about what to say next... * DE means “From”

* Signal reports on CW are given as three digits, or with a digit and two substitute letters * Readability * Strength * Tone * Example: ur rst is 599 5NN * The meaning of each value is given on the next slide

* Readability * 1--Unreadable * 2--Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable. * 3--Readable with considerable difficulty. * 4--Readable with practically no difficulty. * 5--Perfectly readable. * * Signal Strength * 1--Faint signals, barely perceptible. * 2--Very weak signals. * 3--Weak signals. * 4--Fair signals * 5--Fairly good signals. * 6--Good signals. * 7--Moderately strong signals. * 8--Strong signals. * 9--Extremely strong signals. * Tone * 1--Sixty cycle AC or less, very rough and broad. * 2--Very rough AC., very harsh and broad. * 3--Rough AC. tone, rectified but not filtered. * 4--Rough note, some trace of filtering. * 5--Filtered rectified AC. but strongly ripple-modulated. * 6--Filtered tone, definite trace of ripple modulation. * 7--Near pure tone, trace of ripple modulation. * 8--Near perfect tone, slight trace of modulation. * 9--Perfect tone, no trace of ripple or modulation of any kind.

* RR K8EAC DE WA9ZQV RR ES GA UR RST 5NN 599 QTH IS MILFORD, IN MILFORD, IN NAME IS PAT PAT SO BK TO U K8EAC DE WA9Z * Translation: Roger K8EAC this is WA9ZQV Roger and good afternoon Your RST 599. Location is Milford, Indiana. My name is Pat. Back to you. K8EAC this is WA9ZQV

* RR K8EAC DE WA9ZQV OK BOB FB = GREAT SIG HR IN IND = AGE HR IS ES WRK IN FIRE SR HI = RIG IS ICOM 72TT ANT IS DIPOLE ES PWR 1TT WATTS = WX IS VRY COOL ES CLOUDY SO BK TO U BOB K8EAC DE WA9Z * Translation: Roger K8EAC this is WA9ZQV Ok Bob Fine Business = Great signal here in Indiana = Age here is 63 and work in fire service HI = Radio equipment is ICOM 7200 Antenna is a dipole and power 100 watts = Weather is very cool and cloudy so back to you Bob K8EAC this is WA9ZQV

* RR K8EAC DE WA9ZQV OK ES SOLID CPY BOB = BOB ARE U RETIRED OR STILL WRKING? IM STILL FIRE FIGHTING = BK BK * Translation: Roger K8EAC this is WA9ZQV OK and solid copy Bob = Bob are you retired or still working? I’m still fire fighting = Break Break

* BK OK ES OK ON WRKING FOR DOD = = ILL SAY 73 FER NOW ES TNX FER NICE CHAT BOB = HVE A GREAT DAY BOB 73 SK K8EAC DE WA9Z * Translation: Break OK and OK on working for DoD = = I’ll say best wishes for now and thanks for nice chat Bob = Have a great day Bob Best wishes Signing clear K8EAC this is WA9ZQV

* GM BOB UR 579 QSB IN ALLENTOWN PA NAME RICK * Translation: Good Morning Bob your 579 RST is fading in Allentown, PA. My name is Rick. * K8EAC DE W3BI R UR HALF WAT DOING OK I HAVE CUPLA QRP RIGS = AGE 75 HAM 53 YEARS * Translation: K8EAC this is W3BI. Roger your half watt signal is doing OK. I have a couple of low power rigs. My age is 75 and I have been a ham for 53 years.

* CQ is a general call to all amateurs. * Recommended calling form * Bob likes the 3 X 2 Form * CQ CQ CQ de K8EAC K8EAC CQ CQ CQ de K8EAC K8EAC k * That’s enough - give the other guy a break and quit sending. No one wants to hear this over and over if they are waiting to reply. * I actually “move on” if someone keeps sending CQ * If no answer, then repeat

* See you on the CW segments * Especially 40 meters QRP