Mandatory reading

[n0iu]

In another thread, I was telling the story of how I would keep my "official" ARRL logbook (the paper and pencil kind) open to the inside of the back cover in my early days of CW. I did this because it had all of the "Q" codes along with an explanation of the elements of the RST system and other useful information.

I am sure that very few people keep paper logbooks anymore and those that do keep a log, do it electronically.

To the actual point of this post, I think that this site should be mandatory reading:
http://www.ac6v.com/morseaids.htm
There is a ton of extremely useful information on this page. In addition to the Q codes, there is a fairly comprehensive list of common abbreviations and much, much more.

Happy reading and hope to hear you on the air on my favorite mode!

Scott NØIU

[KI4QFY]

HEY! Thanks MUCH! That page is bookmarked, some of the best CW info Ive seen, thanks again!

Andrew

[KI4PEQ]

What Andrew said. Many thanks from this soon to be General.

[ab9lz]

I keep a paper log (I use bound accountants record books) I like handwriting notes about the contacts.

73 Mark.

[nm5tf]

- -. -..- .-.. . .-. --. .-. . .- - .-.. .. -. -.- ... -.-. --- - -

--... ...-- . ... .... .--. . -.-. ..- --- -. ....- ----- --

[W4HAY]

Here's (http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2003/10/30/1/) a simple code oscillator to help the newbies along. Might as well get 'em to home-brewing too!

[ky5u]

Thanks Scott. I have used that site from Day 1 and in the years since. You can't go wrong. Read what is said about QSOs and how to do them. You can even make a cheat sheet you can run off with a QSO script to follow. Got me through the first dozen QSOs without nerves sending.

You hear alot of individualism on the CW bands today. Most of it is goofy. CW is something that should follow the traditional forms and simply be done well. Whether that is the traditional QSO form or freestyle ragchewing.

Alot of the individual styles are like the endzone dancing in Pro Football. It's cute but it is not part of the game and doesn't move the score. I hope new CW operators will read the site and decide they will want to do it right and not be one of the misunderstood free spirits of CW.

Note:

The one mistake (?) the site has (IMHO) is the prosign AR at the end of calling someone. This historically means "end of text" or the body of the message. When you call someone you aren't sending a message body, just the call. Calling someone should simply end in "K". Example:

Wrong: DX11DX DE WZ9UUU WA9UUU AR
Right: DX11DX DE WZ9UUU WA9UUU K

Some might disagree but I believe the use of AR above is just another endzone dance.

[KI6ADA]

Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Jan. 24 2007,23:49)]To the actual point of this post, I think that this site should be mandatory reading:
http://www.ac6v.com/morseaids.htm
There is a ton of extremely useful information on this page. In addition to the Q codes, there is a fairly comprehensive list of common abbreviations and much, much more.

Happy reading and hope to hear you on the air on my favorite mode!

Scott NØIU
Hi Scott

Thank you for the great link. I have been quietly listening to 40 meters. I hear allot of DX and wonder how many people are actually getting confirmed.

Have a great day and look forward to working you. Please remember I might ask for QRS.

Steve http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[w2nsf]

Yep!
The AC6V web site should be bookmarked on every ham's web browser.
I've been using it for years, now, even used the practice exams to help me pass my license exams.
Highly recommended, not just for the CW info, but for all the stuff.
73

[al7n]

Got to the ARRL website and download yourself a copy of FSD-218. Lots of good info on there too....it's
the old "Pink Card"....Handy to keep around for quick
reference.

[K0RGR]

The ARRL Operating Manual is still a really good source of basic 'how to' info, and everybody contemplating CW operation should probably read the chapter on it there.

This manual also covers things that you will probably only do on occasion, like meteor scatter procedures.