Code Practice Ideas

[KC9ECI]

I was sitting here the other night listening to some code via the PC. I was playing with G4FON's trainer. I got to thinking about its capability to generate an audio file. After talking with a couple of the local fellows, I decided, that each night at 9 PM, I'd play one of these files on 2 meter simplex. There seems to be a fair bit of enthusiasm from some of the guys working on upgrading over this. At the end of the session, I post the text sent at http://www.livejournal.com/users/kc9eci/ so those who listened in can check their copy. So far I've been sending NTS training messages.

I'd be interested in comments or suggestions. I'd also be interested in entertaining ideas for text to send other than the NTS messages to help keep it interesting. I'm sending at 20 WPM with 7 WPM spacing and am trying to keep it in the range of 9 to 12 minutes.

I realize that I'm duplicating the ARRL's efforts to a point here, but my logic being, almost all new Tech level hams have 2 meter rigs, but not all are as fortunate as I to have an HF receiver to listen to the ARRL's CW practice on.

[N8CPA]

I've always thought it would be interesting to use a daily crossword puzzle for code practice, for numbers and letters, at least. Just key [number] [across, down] [answer].

Numbers would not necessarily be consecutive and the words would not be uniform length, for a touch of randomness. The stumbling block would be that whoever keys the answers would have to be good at crossword puzzles to solve it earlier in the day in order to have all the words to send.

[KC9ECI]

That wouldn't be me. I suck at crossword puzzles.

[ae4fa]

Good job, Tom!

I've done similar things over the years in conjuction with classroom instruction, and just as practice - using my log as a source for unfamiliar call configurations, sample QSO exchanges, short newspaper stories, etc.

Lately, we've begun an informal slow-speed CW net for all comers on 6 meters. It provides on-air practice of both sending and receiving, but with zero pressure. With the proliferation of rigs like the 706, 817, 100D, and others, this has proven to be quite popular.

[KC9ECI]

Quote[/b] (ae4fa @ Aug. 22 2004,07:45)]Lately, we've begun an informal slow-speed CW net for all comers on 6 meters. #It provides on-air practice of both sending and receiving, but with zero pressure. #With the proliferation of rigs like the 706, 817, 100D, and others, this has proven to be quite popular.
A few members of the local club here have been discussing something similar. Sort of a 'Sloppy Fist Night' on the local repeater. Building code practice oscillator's and holding them near the mic and sending.

[ae4fa]

Quote[/b] ]Building code practice oscillator's and holding them near the mic and sending.
No need for that. Take a look at:
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/tis/info/pdf/9707053.pdf

Or, drop me a line & I can e-mail you a circuit.

[KC9ECI]

I'm not a member...yet. #Go ahead and email me. #melrosewi at aol dot com

[ae4fa]

Done

[KC9ECI]

ty

[WA5KRP]

ECI,

I've sent code practice over the Alamo Area Radio Organization repeater three nights a week since last October. I limit the sessions to thirty minutes to avoid burnout. It's easy for folks to get frustrated if the sessions are too long. I never call on an individual to tell me what they copied. That can lead to folks feeling pressured and embarassed. I simply ask for somebody to tell me what they copied out of a five word set. For some, just getting a few letters is a sign of good progress and I make darn sure they know that.

I use an MFJ-401D keyer with a mic held up to the speaker. I send the practice live - mistakes included, just like when I'm really operating CW. I go through a repeater because AARO authorized its use and it allows me to cover virtually all of Bexar county.

The first fifteen minutes are nice and slow. I then inch up the speed through the remaining minutes. I've found a lot of people like to be challenged by increasing speed to see where they bounce off the wagon. In the final minute, I send a mystery word or phrase at 20+ wpm - it's probably the most popular part of the session. Yesterday's:

Mystery Boox: 2005 ARRL Handbook

Yep, I blew the k in book. Still fit. Sorta. Anyway, I'm just saying you can have a lot of fun and I heartily congratulate you on your code practice efforts. You'll reach more folks than you imagine. As a matter of fact, your largest audience will be sandbaggers: guys that are listening but don't check in. I make a special point of acknowledging them each session becasue the only one that knows they're trying is themselves, and that clearly shows determination to improve their skills. Over the past year I've been pleasantly surprised time and again when somebody with an unfamiliar call sign calls me on the repeater during an afternoon commute and thanks me for the practice.

One last comment: These sessions started shortly after I made the transition to send with my left hand so I could log with might right hand. In a selfish sense, they were just as much for me as for anybody else. And they have helped me tremendously.

Good luck!



WA5KRP
Texas

[KC9ECI]

Good ideas all! #I think tonight, I will go with Quote[/b] ]2M0NBR DE UB5JND
UR WK SIG OM RST 349 ^BK HR NAME IS GERRY QTH ROSTOV ^BK THINK WE QSO LAST
WEEK ON 7 ^BK WX COLD ES CLEAR ^BK RIG IC730 ANT LONG WIRE ^BK PSE AGN RST ES
QTH ^BK ^AR
2M0NBR DE UB5JND ^KN

2E1SGH DE SP3IJC
GE OM MNI TKS FER CALL ^BK UR RST IS 359 ^BK NAME HR IS HISEEN QTH IS
ARAGARCAS ^BK WX COLD DRY ES CLEAR TEMP 5C ^BK RIG IS TS530 ANT 5 EL YAGI
PWR 10W ^BK OK ? ^AR
2E1SGH DE SP3IJC ^KN
and poll the 2 Sunday nets that I check into to see what those that are practicing would like to hear as well.

Thanks fellas.