CW Speed on Field Day

[wu3u]

I've posted this in past years but now that the code has been dropped as a testing requirement, I wonder if the answer has changed:

How fast do you set your keyers or computers to send CW on Field Day?

I am always wondering if I am going too fast...some years I have set my computer to send at 26 WPM....last year, 24 WPM....with features to toggle down to 20 or so, but that's a pain and usually I end up leaving it at the primary speed.

BUT now with the code not required, I wonder if it is even slower?

Maybe I should have a slow CW period? 18 WPM?

Maybe less overall CW this year?

Is your FD group going to have CW operators? Finding it hard to recruit them?

How fast you reckon they are? LOL.

I can run contest exchanges at 40 WPM so I gotta hold myself back a little or I won't get any takers!

Looking forward to working as many of you as possible - 73!

Tim
N8LXR

[KA3QLF]

Tim

Long time no hear...As far as CW speed, I am sure there will be plenty of a variance. When I am operating at K3CSG, I will prolly be cruising around 20-25 comfortable speed. Other ops may be faster, others will be slower. Of course, I only us epaddles, so control how I send by how fast I use my fingers. Hope to come across you, been a while--Scott, KA3QLF

[wu3u]

Hi Scott,

Nice to hear from you too OM.

I have paddles set up to key the computer's interface so I can send that way if I want to but most of the time I use the F keys to send the automated exchanges.

Using NA contesting software, I can toggle down to a preset lower (or higher) speed with two simultaneous key strokes....but I hate doing it! #LOL.

So I keep it at 24 WPM ..or some years 26 WPM but to my ear speeds in the mid-20s are sounding fast for the newcomer's to CW since they dropped the code for testing.

On the bands, I am hearing much slower code in the general portions (kind of like what it sounded like in the Novice bands years ago, at least to some degree) ...and I wonder if it will be these ops coming to the bands on FD...

30 WPM is just too darn fast for FD since most of the participants are not hardcore contesters.

Anyhow, 73!

Tim
N8LXR

[W4INF]

Quote[/b] (N8LXR @ June 02 2007,08:31)]some years I have set my computer to send at 26 WPM....last year, 24 WPM....
Ill be helping field day, but Ill be sending about 13-15, but Ill be using Iambic. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I can only decode about 10 with long spacing between letters, so Ill use a computer to DECODE CW.

Maybe we can work each other...

Cheers

[NN3W]

Mid to high 20s is fast on FD.

[KD6NIG]

Run the same speed you did last year.

With the pushes I saw to get people licensed around here after the dropping of code, I think you'll be hearing mostly voice at this years Field Days. You'll probably see more participation, but most of those people will be codeless.

Not that they won't perhaps pick it up in the future, but I'm sure they were sold first on the no code, second on the gathering. Not a bash on anyone either, just the way I think its gonna be.

I would expect those interested in code to appear at FD in 2008. It will be interesting to see how much of the people who jumped in when code went are still around then.

[AG3Y]

Its interesting to me that the best operators I heard during last years FD were the Phone operators ! They knew how to get a fill if they missed part of the exchange, used proper phonetics, etc.

CW operators, and especially the newer modes such as PSK31 were a laugh. Stations went to the next caller, even if I asked for a fill, or was sure that the other station did not get my information correctly. And this was a consistant problem. I finally just went back to phone and said "to heck with the other modes"!

My fun was over after I got a station in workable condition. That is the usual case for me, anyway. I am NOT a contester!

73, and have fun. I might try again this year. Jim

[wu3u]

Ok, here is another FD CW question:

How often do you identify?

When I program my keyer for FD, I have the F key for "QRZ" programmed to send "TU FD N8LXR."

Most years, I have just let it run out to send the whole string - every QSO.

I can cut it short (using the ESC key) to send "TU" only and then listen - if no takers manaully send "FD" and then the F key for my call.

Sometimes you get the sense that most of the group calling has your call and sending it again is a waste of time..you eliminate the excess verbiage and go on to the next guy if there is one "in line."

This way you can run them faster....CW contest ops usually identify more often the less the rate of incoming stations and less often the more....reasoning is that the bigger pile up needs to be thinnned out faster or ops will move on to someone else.

I am thinking that this year I may send my call only every 2nd or 3rd QSO if I have a pile up on top of me.

Ah..just musing.....

73

Tim
N8LXR

[ka4pne]

N8LXR - TIM,

I usually operate "Class 1C" #Mobile. #Since I'm ex Navy, I usually am comfortable with 20+ WPM. #But, since I'm in the SUV with the "knee key" KY-116/U (J-37) and most operators like to keep it under 20, and due to the mobile circumstances, I'm comfortable with between 13 and 15 WPM. #If I hear a PSE QRS, I'll always accomodate the operator. #Hope to work you. #73 #KA5PNE # # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ai4ep]

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

personally I think the automated / computer stuff SHOULD definately be illegal, that every one should use MANUALLY operated paddles...with no faster than 5 - 10 words per minute.

Each contact should be worth a lot more than a VOICE contact ( after all, C W is harder and requires more effort from the sender & the listener )

IMHO each C W contact should be worth at least 10 times as much as any kind of VOICE contact....but nothing involving AUTOMATED / COMPUTER systems should be allowed, no matter what your last name is or how many years you have been a C B operator.

In closing, keep it simple and keep it slow, and make each contact worth more for the extra effort it requires.

problem ? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[N8CPA]

Using a paddle for 5~10 is wasteful. Straight key is much better for that slow.

But I try to match speed of answering station, or the station calling CQ if I'm hunting and pouncing.

I use an MorseMachine MM-3. I load MEM1 with CQ FD DE N8CPA (2x2). MEM2 is, simply, N8CPA. MEM3 is the exhange. MEM4 is TU ES GL DE N8CPA. MEM5 is QRZ? MEM0 is DE N8CPA.

I mostly hunt and pounce. So when i encounter a new staion calling CQ, on the first try I send just my call--MEM2. If he/she doesn't catch it on first try--which I suspect is primarily caused by the use of software as opposed to greyware--I'll use DE N8CPA--MEM0.

I use a speed knob control, so if someone needs to go slow, I can crank it left, and use the straight key after a quick change of keyer mode.

[AG3Y]

Quote[/b] (KA5PNE @ June 02 2007,13:36)]N8LXR - TIM,

I usually operate "Class 1C" #Mobile. #Since I'm ex Navy, I usually am comfortable with 20+ WPM. #But, since I'm in the SUV with the "knee key" KY-116/U (J-37) and most operators like to keep it under 20, and due to the mobile circumstances, I'm comfortable with between 13 and 15 WPM. #If I hear a PSE QRS, I'll always accomodate the operator. #Hope to work you. #73 #KA5PNE # # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Man, I hope I don't run into you on the road ! ! ! ( literally ! ) #

As for speed, watch and listen to some of the old War movies where CW was featured in some scenes. #I can think of "A Wing and a Prayer" for one. #

The code was not breakneck speed, but it WAS sent accurately and carefully. #It does no good to go like a buzzsaw if you have to "fill" the other operators reception with repeated exchanges, suffixes, etc. #

"not speed, but accuracy" #I think I've heard that somewhere before!

73, Jim

[wc5cw]

N8LXR, et al...

What I have always found interesting are those stations who come back to you with a straight key or keyer sending at about 10 to 12wpm or so, in answer to my CQ FD at speeds hovering around 30...Most often I don't adjust speed downward and most often those same ops get the exchange just fine!.

>"CW operators, and especially the newer modes such as PSK31 were a laugh. #Stations went to the next caller, even if I asked for a fill, or was sure that the other station did not get my information correctly. And this was a consistant problem. #I finally just went back to phone and said "to heck with the other modes"!"<-- AG3Y

Jim...I have no reason to doubt your observations and I think they may be attributed to folks who volunteer to operate CW on FD for their local club but who may not be especially skilled CW contest ops otherwise, so what you say may be true...Crank-in the attributes of QRM and QRN and missed exchanges in the rapid-fire events of contesting become all the more apparent...But, for the most part, I have no complaints about the CW exchanges that take place during the FD "contest"...I expect that my opinion--based on my experience--is due in part to the "help" these ops get via the call-sign, class and section recognition that is part of most logging programs in use today and the simplicity of the exchange which is nearly always programmed anyway.

>"Sometimes you get the sense that most of the group calling has your call and sending it again is a waste of time..you eliminate the excess verbiage and go on to the next guy if there is one "in line."<-- N8LXR

Tim, I'm not sure just how fine you can cut it but while I have on occasion gone to the "search and pounce" tactic, I prefer to find a spot and sit there calling CQ FD...With that practice, station ID is not a problem for the simple procedure you mention...Maybe I'm too old school and set in my ways, but I almost always finish the exchange with a "TU -pause- QRZ? de callsign" transmission...But with your observation as quoted above you will strike a good balance for those tuning around and capturing your callsign and Q count vs. time efficiency.

Ignoring the potential visit of Murphy, FWIW, that's my FD take as it applies to the comments quoted above.

Bruce
WC5CW

[n0jaa]

I will venture to say that fast is as fast as you can legibly send and receive.

Field Day is a good time for one to brush up on one's CW skills.

[wu3u]

While we are on this subject, let me comment on one other observation.

For FD, only the call sign of the station you worked and his exchange is necessary for a valid QSO.

Don't get me wrong: I love to ragchew....BUT on Field Day:

Please guys...when contacting me for FD credit...there is no need for anything other than the SHORT and SWEET: #Your call, your exchange....I don't need things like:

"TNX OM FER COMING BACK"
"GL IN THE TEST"
"73 ES GL"
"N8LXR DE WB5BBB" #After I gave my exchange!

(I know my call...if you are answering me which I can ascertain by the TIMING of the call...I know it's ME you are calling....and if I answer YOU #with your call, you know I have IT ...no need to send it again, ok OM?)

...and other similar VERBIAGE that just wastes time and reduces rate.

On voice, I don't need things like "Hi there OM, how is FD going? #You're 2 Alpha here in sunny Florida" and other similar verbiage.....

The object of this thing is to make as many contacts as possible.....yeah I know, it's different things to different people, and so on, but the rules DO say the object is make as many Qs as possible in 24 hours....please, I don't need ragchewing on FD! #LOL.

You don't even "DE." #On Field Day my "Long CQ" #(You dont need CQ either!) is #"FD FD N8LXR N8LXR FD"...not even "K" at the end...the silence means I have stopped transmitting. #The "FDs" mean "CQ Field Day-" two little letters.

On CW the exchange should be:

ME: FD FD N8LXR N8LXR FD

YOU: W2CDD (Received call..send it ONCE!)

ME: #W2CDD 1C SNJ

YOU: R 2A NNJ

ME: #TU FD N8LXR

Notice the absense of the usual prosigns like "K" #"AR" "KN" and such much less "73" #"GL" and others like that. #

Contest style operating OMITS this stuff to save time and increase RATE.

On phone:

ME: #"Field Day Hello Field Day November eight Lima X-Ray Romeo Field Day" #

(Even the "Hello" can be dropped but I find myself using it to get attention.)

You: #"Whiskey Two Charlie Charlie Delta"

ME: #"Whiskey Two Charlie Charlie Delta, One Charlie
# # # #Southern New Jersey"

You: #"Thanks. #Two Alpha Northern New Jersey."

ME: #Thanks, November Eight Lima X-Ray Romeo Field Day"

(Notice that I don't say things like #"YOU'RE Two Alpha," or "Thanks for calling" or "Wow what a signal" and all that.)

..........and it flows nice and easy that way....hopefully for at least 1000 QSOs!



LOL.

73,

Tim
N8LXR

[n0jaa]

Quote[/b] (N8LXR @ June 02 2007,14:08)]On voice, I don't need things like "Hi there OM, how is FD going? #You're 2 Alpha here in sunny Florida" and other similar verbiage.....

The object of this thing is to make as many contacts as possible.....yeah I know, it's different things to different people, and so on, but the rules DO day the object is make as many Qs as possible in 24 hours....please, I don't need ragchewing on FD! #LOL.
Why? A short QSO is one way I take a short break from contesting and unwind/regroup a little. I never brush off a contester if he wants to shoot the breeze a little. As long as it isn't TOO long, but such short QSO's give me a chance to take a break and let out a long breath. Of course, so does a brat and a brew!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[ai4ep]

...this IS #? supposed to be simulating EMERGENCY communications, arent it ?

so we would be using the SIMPLIEST of equipment, virtually no amplifiers, wires strung between 2 trees , etc.

None of this " 60 foot tall multi - band beam atennas #/ 2 kw amplifiers / computer generated CW system / in air conditioned comfort in a travel trailer ~ motor home / delivered pizza right to your door #stuff " ??

Come on kids, rough it for a while, then let some one else handle it for a couple of hours.
It wont hurt you to sit outside , tap C W on an old j-38 into a Kenwood ts - 520 ( or something non-digital readout ) , sitting in a folding chair by a fold out table , drinking plain old water ( with some ice ), with NO amplifier . ...or would it just bruise your frail ego to have to use equipment like that ?

Heck, you might as well just stay at home ( your home station is fancier than that, with internal plumbing #( dern, I forgot all about mentioning the portable toilet earlier ) , and a wife / partner to bring you food & drink at the snap of a finger .

We dont need to ever forget that YOU are ( insert fcc call sign here ) , super duper great all - mighty ham radio operator, and that you will ONLY talk on the best equipment that your credit card #( that expires on 06/30/07 )can allow. !! #...even though the tires are bald on the #2 vehicle, the kids are barefoot, but YOU have the best station that a credit card can buy !!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[wc5cw]

Wow, Tim!

You ARE serious!...And nothing wrong with that, I might add...I've heard of "hardened criminals" but I think you could be viewed as a "hardened contester" <grin>...Anyway, I'll be listening for you on the air and later looking for you at the top of your class-Xx operation in the pages of QST!

For a wee bit of humor,

Bruce
WC5CW

[K9STH]

Under present FCC regulations you have to identify at the end of each series of transmissions with an individual station (and every 10 minutes within the time frame of the exchange). Technically that means you should send the exchange and then your call sign. Then when you go to the next station you are completely legal.

As for the 10 minute rule: Any Field Day exchange that takes that long is REALLY SLOOOOOOOOW!

Glen, K9STH

[ne3r]

So far, all two of my field day volunteer 80 meter operators want to work CW, if I get enougho operators, I hope to run two 80 meter stations, one on CW and one on SSB 75.

My club likes a big field day, each person is assigned a band, and that person is in charge of finding equipment and getting it setup, getting operators to man it, and of course, taking everything down. I was going to run 10 this year, but nobody took 80, and with the current sunspot activity, 80 will be more productive than 10.

Last year, they didn't run CW on 80 at all, actually, only one band was really setup for CW, 40. Although, they made one CW on 160, and I made a few on 2 & 70cm.

As for speed, I can only do about 10wpm, but I hope to listen in a good bit and work on improving my copy speed, maybe by Sunday afternoon I'll be able to drive a bit.

73
Joe
NE3R

[ka4pne]

AG3Y - Jim,

Quote[/b] ]Man, I hope I don't run into you on the road ! ! ! ( literally ! ) #

I hope you don't run into me! #Especially if you have a small vehicle. #You'd be up against a 2006 Dodge Durango SXT, with a 4.7 Magnum (engine). #@ approximately 6,500 LBS.

But! #Because Highway A1A is a very heavily traveled tourist road, I spend most of the time traveling out on the beach...where permited. #When I participate in Field Day as Class 1C Mobile, I'm usually spending most of the time traveling out on the beach. #Besides, the propagation out on the beach seems to be better. #I usually lock the 706MKIIG on a frequency and just answer CQ FD. #I'll scribble the particulars on my clip board and copy it in the mobile log at the next stop. #I wouldn't let a little thing like a mobile HF rig distract me would I? #It's what's on the beach that is the real distraction!!! And, [it's] not enough to wad a .22. # #

I agree...when it comes to CW, I pride myself in "accuracy". #When I was on a Destroyer we copied Fleet Broadcast in encrypted code groups and you HAD to get it right the first time. #Teletype wasn't always reliable, so we copied CW as a back up. #When I was in Vietnam as a Platoon Radio Operator with the Seabees on deployment, I usually operated the PRC-47 with the J-37 knee key. #Accuracy meant life or death. #Need I be reminded. #73 # # KA5PNE # # #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K8YZK]

How fast? As Fast as you can copy, because if you send faster then you receive, then how do you know if someone is calling you if you can't copy that fast.

[AG3Y]

PNE, I stated what I said about the mobile, half in jest, and half, seriously. As you might know, I was permanently sidelined by a young lady that was distracted by her radio for just a few seconds. Those few seconds were enough for her to swerve her car into the rear end of mine, and I ended up rolling my car over and over! If it hadn't been for seat belts, air bags, and the combined efforts of about 20 doctors over 5 months time, I would not be here today!

Play with your mobile rig on the beach, if you want to, but as for me, I believe I will sit in my comfortable chair in my comfortable front room to operate my ham station. Thank you very much !

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif 73, Jim

[N2RJ]

Robert, did you have too much to drink today?

[W5IEI]

Quote[/b] (N2RJ @ June 02 2007,21:34)]Robert, did you have too much to drink today?
Really!
He sure seems to have a cob lodged http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[WA2ZDY]

Quote[/b] (W4INF @ June 02 2007,12:08)]I can only decode about 10 with long spacing between letters, so Ill use a computer to DECODE CW.
You will not be successful using a computer to copy CW under Field Day conditions OM.

[WA3KYY]

Back to the original question I suspect 24 or 26 wpm are adequate. #It will be fast enough to give you a good rate but not so fast that some of the slower ops will skip over your CQ. #Most of them will likely be doing S&P and will listen through several QSOs to be sure they have your info correct before answering your CQ. #Still, it pays to have a pre-set slower speed about 15 wpm. #If they need a second repeat hit the slower speed. #Depending upon your logging software, you can even program one of the function keys to auto change to the slower speed, send the exchange and auto change back to your original speed. #I find I don't need all 12 F keys so dedicating one to a slow speed exchange is doable.

As for the end of QSO sign off, using TU FD N8LXR is probably better in the long run than TU QRZ or TU FD with no callsign.

73,
Mike WA3KYY

[k0cmh]

In many true emergency communication situation, the field station is as complex, or more, than someone's home shack.

Often times, large and high antennas are required to assure reliable communications outside the disaster area. Usually, multiple frequencies must be worked. Large coverage 2 meter repeaters are set up at the site to feed/receive HF traffic. Digital, voice and CW modes are used at the same time.

During Kitrnia, emergency stations were often part of EOCs where sleeping arrangements and food were provided. Ditto at Red Cross locations.

Not all emergency operations are a single operator, outdoors with his one battery, a mobile HF rig and a dipole in the trees. Emcomm can be big and complex.

So to set up a large and complex field station, with mulitple frequencies, multiple modes, etc. is a good test of field equipment.

[W4HAY]

After factoring in the other stations' requests for fills, etc. I've had the highest QSOs/hour by setting the keyer at 18-20 WPM and keeping a straight key next to it for those that come back slower.

It's all done pencil & paper with a (sometimes) logger buddy.

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (N8LXR @ June 02 2007,11:31)]I've posted this in past years but now that the code has been dropped as a testing requirement, I wonder if the answer has changed:

How fast do you set your keyers or computers to send CW on Field Day?

I am always wondering if I am going too fast...some years I have set my computer to send at 26 WPM....last year, 24 WPM....with features to toggle down to 20 or so, but that's a pain and usually I end up leaving it at the primary speed.

BUT now with the code not required, I wonder if it is even slower?

Maybe I should have a slow CW period? #18 WPM?

Maybe less overall CW this year?

Is your FD group going to have CW operators? #Finding it hard to recruit them?

How fast you reckon they are? #LOL.

I can run contest exchanges at 40 WPM so I gotta hold myself back a little or I won't get any takers!

Looking forward to working as many of you as possible - 73!

Tim
N8LXR
If the person who you're sending too asks for too many fills or asks you to QRS?, then you're sending too fast.

Some stations cruise between 20 - 25 WPM, some 25 - 30, some 30 -35. The better ops will slow down when asked. The best ops won't wait to be asked.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (N8LXR @ June 02 2007,09:31)]Ok, here is another FD CW question:

How often do you identify?

When I program my keyer for FD, I have the F key for "QRZ" programmed to send "TU FD N8LXR."

Most years, I have just let it run out to send the whole string - every QSO.

I can cut it short (using the ESC key) to send "TU" only and then listen - if no takers manaully send "FD" and then the F key for my call.

Sometimes you get the sense that most of the group calling has your call and sending it again is a waste of time..you eliminate the excess verbiage and go on to the next guy if there is one "in line."

This way you can run them faster....CW contest ops usually identify more often the less the rate of incoming stations and less often the more....reasoning is that the bigger pile up needs to be thinnned out faster or ops will move on to someone else.

I am thinking that this year I may send my call only every 2nd or 3rd QSO if I have a pile up on top of me.

Ah..just musing.....

73

Tim
N8LXR
Two comments:

1. Doesn't a valid FD contact consist of the exchange of callsign and ARRL section? If so, then I'd think you would have to ID with each contact. After all, FD isn't a DX pile-up, and you should be following the rules.

2. If you are making back-to-back CW contacts as fast as you yourself can handle, then use that speed, such as 25 WPM. If you find you are getting no replies, but still hear other stations, slow down until you DO make contacts, even if it'a 13 WPM. It would seem better to make points at 13 WPM than none @ 26 WPM.

[k0cmh]

My comfortable CW copy speed is 12-15, and on a really good day I can push 20.

During FD or contesting, if I am tuning around, I will listen to a faster CW until I get his exchange, then I answer his call and can verify the exchange, since I already know what to expect. I send at my comfortable speed of 15 or so. I don't get asked for fills when the signal path is good.

When I decide to camp on a feq and make calls, I send at my comfortable copy speed for that day. 95% of the replies come back to me close enough to my speed that I don't need fills. The other 5%, I may have to ask for a fill and if they just keep blasting at 30 or 35, then I send "TU de k0cmh, FD CQ K". They don't get put into my log. It is their problem if the QSO gets bumped from their log when a comparision of logs is made.

[KE5FRF]

I'm going to be one of two or three guys working our club station K5ARC 3A LA for field day.

One of the other CW ops has voiced complaints that field day is too slow in recent years. I've tried to communicate to him that we should be tolerant of slow ops and at least be glad that people are using CW. I'll QSO at any speed!

I'll probably set my keyer at 30 WPM. That is my comfortable QSO speed. Exchanges are NP at higher speeds, but I want to work everyone. I'll be bringing my straight key too. I'll QRQ or QRS to work anyone who answers my call.

I will try to use my keyer memories as much as possible, to save time and give CLEAR and precise exchanges. In the heat of a contest I do sometimes fumble with the key.

A pet peeve. LOL. Why do so many contestors send their call at a normal speed, then for some reason crank the keyer up to 50 WPM to send "599"? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif Are these guys really sitting there with their hand on the knob, changing the speed to send the signal report? Seems complicates to me.

d e K e 5 f r f T U 599 599 7 3 dit dit http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ky5u]

Quote[/b] (w3wn @ June 04 2007,12:57)]If the person who you're sending too asks for too many fills or asks you to QRS?, then you're sending too fast.
Or they're trying to use a "Computer Crutch".

[K3STX]

Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ June 05 2007,13:33)]Why do so many contestors send their call at a normal speed, then for some reason crank the keyer up to 50 WPM to send "599"? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif Are these guys really sitting there with their hand on the knob, changing the speed to send the signal report? Seems complicated to me.

d e K e 5 f r f T U 599 599 7 3 dit dit http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
The computer does the sending, not a keyer. It is easy to configure it to send ANYTHING faster or slower at any speed. I have mine configured to send "CQ TEST" about 6 wpm faster and any repeats 6 wpm slower.

paul

[ai4ep]

After more thought & consideration about the topic --- maybe every one should just be ABLE to slow down for the next contact, and be nice about each & every contact. After all, at one time or another we ALL were slow operators, and would like it when others WOULD WILLINGLY slow down to communicate with us.

In simple terms, be nice.

If that is too rough, stay on another part of whatever band you happen to be on, and try for contacts there.

Maybe now folks will be happier towards their fellow amateur radio operators.

==================
As an idea, this FIELD DAY may be in a unique situation...able to promote the mode / use of C W without it being a requirement, just an option for use. This (to my knowledge ) will be very unique / different than ever in the history of amateur radio.; on a positive note for us all.

AI4EP (Robert)

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (K3STX @ June 05 2007,17:49)]Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ June 05 2007,13:33)]Why do so many contestors send their call at a normal speed, then for some reason crank the keyer up to 50 WPM to send "599"? #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif Are these guys really sitting there with their hand on the knob, changing the speed to send the signal report? Seems complicated to me.

d e # K e 5 f r f # T U #599 599 #7 3 dit dit #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
The computer does the sending, not a keyer. It is easy to configure it to send ANYTHING faster or slower at any speed. I have mine configured to send "CQ TEST" about 6 wpm faster and any repeats 6 wpm slower.

paul
Some outboard keyers can be programmed to insert a speed change; mine--a MorseMachine--certainly can. #Typically, the least changing portion of the exchange--e.g, 5NN and the closing ID--will be the part sent fastest. And the reason they do that--is to increase Q rate per hour. The less time spent on a single contact, the more Q's you can cram into an hour.
If you can shave several hundred miliseconds by blurring 5NN, it may get you an extra 10 or so Q/hr. And Q/hr = PTS.

[kx8c]

I haven't had much luck getting contest QSL's at my slow 7-8wpm speeds. Seems like ops can complete the entire exchange just in time for me to finish sending my call. For FD I'll probably see what I can do on 20m or 40m for 15 minutes at my speed. We'll see what happens.

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (N8LXR @ June 02 2007,11:08)]While we are on this subject, let me comment on one other observation.

For FD, only the call sign of the station you worked and his exchange is necessary for a valid QSO.
Actually, LXR, if you want real fast QSOs, you don't even have to say thanks.

NN3W: CQ Field Day Norway Norway Three Whiskey
N8LXR: November Eight Lima Xray Radio
NN3W: N8LXR, Four Alpha Virginia
N8LXR: Thanks, One Charlie Eastern Pennsylvania
NN3W: Norway Norway Three Whiskey

Thats something N6TJ always taught us.

[wu3u]

NN3W:

Quote[/b] ]Actually, LXR, if you want real fast QSOs, you don't even have to say thanks.

NN3W: CQ Field Day Norway Norway Three Whiskey
N8LXR: November Eight Lima Xray Radio
NN3W: N8LXR, Four Alpha Virginia
N8LXR: Thanks, One Charlie Eastern Pennsylvania
NN3W: Norway Norway Three Whiskey

Thats something N6TJ always taught us.


Yeah I know....I just always felt it was kind of rude not to say "Thanks."

On CW, it's a quick "TU" sent at high speed.

73,

Tim
N8LXR

[k0ews]

For field day, one of my Elmers taught me to use a resonant, HIGH antenna; one cut for each band.
Set the keyer at 22 WPM and really no faster.
The theory was that if you sit on a frequency, call CQ, at about 20-22 WPM, and it's a good strong signal, one will not need to ask for repeats, and they will get in line to work you. It worked too, as those guys and their little 1A station would get around 1000 qsos every year doing this.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (N8LXR @ June 07 2007,18:19)]NN3W:

Quote[/b] ]Actually, LXR, if you want real fast QSOs, you don't even have to say thanks.

NN3W: CQ Field Day Norway Norway Three Whiskey
N8LXR: November Eight Lima Xray Radio
NN3W: N8LXR, Four Alpha Virginia
N8LXR: Thanks, One Charlie Eastern Pennsylvania
NN3W: Norway Norway Three Whiskey

Thats something N6TJ always taught us.


Yeah I know....I just always felt it was kind of rude not to say "Thanks."

On CW, it's a quick "TU" sent at high speed.

73,

Tim
N8LXR
Same here. TU is minimal courtesy. But, the two dit salute can be taken as TU.

[w3wn]

Quote[/b] (N8LXR @ June 02 2007,14:08)]On voice, I don't need things like "Hi there OM, how is FD going? You're 2 Alpha here in sunny Florida" and other similar verbiage.....

The object of this thing is to make as many contacts as possible.....yeah I know, it's different things to different people, and so on, but the rules DO day the object is make as many Qs as possible in 24 hours....please, I don't need ragchewing on FD! LOL. Not everyone on the air on Field Day weekend is participating in the operating event... it's not a contest... and that includes some ops who like to ragchew.

Just tell politely them Quote[/b] ]Sri OM I'm not RCC today -- QRZ FD and move on. Most will be understanding.

73

[kr9d]

Quote[/b] (k0cmh @ June 04 2007,12:32)]In many true emergency communication situation, the field station is as complex, or more, than someone's home shack.
Yup.

The original question was what clubs are doing now that code is no longer required. The answer for our club is: Nothing they weren't doing before. Most of the guys involved in Field Day were licensed long before the rules changed (and that includes several sets of rules changes).

Our club will be operating six stations, and the most experienced FD operators will be working the CW stations. We'll have CW on 80/15/10, 40, and 20. For the new kids, we have 75/40, 20, and VHF/UHF on phone. Frankly, it has been easier for the CW stations to sign up operators, based on the schedule we have now.

I'm helping set up our 20m phone station, and I think it's fully within the Field Day concept. We'll have a Kenwood TS-430S with a headset and foot switch, into a 20M monoband hex beam (which I am presently constructing for the event), mounted atop 36 feet of military masting held in place with rope guys. We will use battery power, but will charge the off-line batteries using the generator in my motorhome. My motorhome is small and mobile (23' long GMC) and we'll sit under the awning. The interior will be a refuge from the weather if needed. I can easily visualize using exactly the same setup in an emergency situation. It's simple, but it's certainly not a dipole thrown over a bush.

We will run an extension cord for the logging computer, but we won't be keying the radio with the computer so that's allowed. Of course, in an emergency situation, we wouldn't be using a logging computer to keep track of repeats and multipliers!

Rick "a not-yet-know-coder who belongs to a FISTS club" Denney

[wu3u]

This has turned out to be a good thread, lots of interesting comments.

Here are some observations for those who may be newcomers to Field Day or are planning a more competitive effort over other years:

One thing I find on Field Day is that for some reason, when you call CQ, run a bunch of stations, and then it goes dry on you, that if you QSY maybe 5 KHZ up or down and resume calling, you often get a new crop of stations to work...even though you are calling very near the frequency you just left.

Seems odd that just a few KCs would make that much of a difference but it often does.

Anyone else notice this?

So my strategy is to call CQ on CW where I can as often as I can...once it goes dry I move a few KCs and try calling again.

If that does not work, or things are just too slow to justify the time being spent, then I go into Search and Pounce mode looking for stations who were calling CQ while I was calling CQ, that is, if all you do is CQ you won't work other stations dedicating most of thier on-air time to calling CQ....likewise, if you S and P all the time, you won't work the stations who are too weak to call CQ or for whatever reason choose not to, or at least they don't CQ most of the time (sometimes it's just that they are casual participants and are not calling CQ, they are inexperienced, or too weak to call CQ).

I use my contest logging software to determine if I have worked a station before on a given band and mode with its "autocheck" feature, that is, the program visually tells me if I have worked a station once I type it in the callsign field on that band/mode.

Basically, experienced FD ops know that you have to cover the bands by both CQing and S and P-ing.

If you are using only one transmitter, then you fall into a kind of band hopping pattern depending on what time of day it is: Daytime I cycle the lowest propagating CW band (both CQing and S and P-ing) to the highest propagating CW band.

(If you are are multi-transmitter operation, then you organize your band coverage by each tranmitter- again trying to cover as much spectrum as possible by both calling CQ and S and P-ing to give the the highest liklihood of working everyone in the contest...er ah, Field Day.)

So at the beginning of FD, and since I am single transmitter, I start usually on 40 meter CW by calling CQ, run a bunch of stations and when it goes dry (presumably because most of the stations on that part of the band in that time segment have already worked me) then I shift 5 to 10 KCs away from my original calling frequency and try to get things rolling again by calling CQ again.

If that is not producing or its too slow, I S and P that band once up the band and once down the band...then I QSY to next highest band and start the pattern again: Call CQ, QSY, S and P up and down the band, QSY to the next highest CW band, start the patten all over again.

Along the way I make note of the activity. How high up in frequency can I go and still find reasonable activity?

This will determine if I bother to check certain bands (say 15 and 10 meters) for the next few hours.

After I have run the gamut of bands, I then QSY to the lowest propagating SSB band but for the most part, I S and P since I am in the mobile class.

Sometimes I can call CQ on the higher SSB bands but I try not to spend too much time on SSB in favor of CW because I usally CAN hold a frequency on CW but it's iffy on SSB (and I get more points for CW anyhow) even with a great RF location (right on salt water, wide open takeoffs to the major population centers all over water) and well installed screwdriver antenna on a pickup truck).

For night time operation, I do the reverse, that is I cycle the highest to the lowest band...usually this is 20, 40, and 80.....never have tried 160 and hear that it is usually lousy given the time of year (QRN) and the fact that so few FD stations bother erecting the monster antenna that it needs.

Over the years, I have tried 6 and 2 meter SSB and CW....for me anyhow, the extra antennas needed and time spent QSYing to those bands have never be justifiable in terms of the Qs I made there....

Have not tried PSK 31, hear that it is not much of a producer compared to SSB and CW.

The best I have done is Second Place in the mobile class (2005) with just shy of 1000 Qs, about 80 percent CW and 20 percent SSB.

I did the most contacts of any mobile station that year but I was beaten on points by a QRP mobile station of some sort (probably a sailboat with full sized antennas) - drats, lol!

Anyway, those are a few musings....anyone else have any FD war stories to tell?

73,

Tim
N8LXR

[N8CPA]

LXR, I have noticed that 5kc effect. In fact, I've done that in some contests--park on a frequency and just listen, like a reverse CQ TEST. I do that when I'm trying to do something in addition to radio. When a new callsign calls CQ, I answer, give the exchange. Some time later, he'll move on. Then there's a QRL, VVV, or some other transmission, followed by a new CQ.