View Full Version : My first CW QSO
KC9ECI
10-30-2004, 11:32 PM
Three cheers and a tigers tail for me, I've done it!
From 2300Z to approx 2334Z, I had my first CW QSO on 50.150 with a local ham, KF0Q. Things were bumpy, but he showed incredible patience and we both got through it alive.
I think I'll go walk on water next. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Grats to you!
I know the feeling, just had my first a couple weeks ago. Had an all out ragchew on CW last week, lasted nearly an hour. It was the most fun I have had being stressed out in awhile. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
CW is fun!
KB5WX
10-30-2004, 11:54 PM
ECI and RO ,
Congrats to both of you ! I must warn you that CW can be very addictive . When the CW bug bites you , you just might wind up throwing away a perfectly good paperweight , er , microphone . http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Best wishes to you both .
W5MEJ
10-30-2004, 11:57 PM
Congratulations. #I still remember my first CW QSO. #It lasted almost exactly as long as yours, and by the end of it I was shaking so badly I'm surprised I wasn't sending all dits! #I started off pretty calm, but the longer it went, the worse my sending seemed to get. #By the time we said "73", I had sweat puddling in the floor. #The OM I was working was very patient, and I still cherish the QSL card from that contact. #His last line on that card stuck with me for a long time...he said "Best of 73, and good luck pounding the brass. #Suggest you invest in a paddle though, hi hi."
He never said a word about my terrible sending while we were on the air, though. #He just struggled through it. #Thanks, Rich, wherever you are - I use a paddle and keyer now!
ECI, sounds like you are well on your way. #Keep "pounding the brass" and I hope to have the pleasure of working you one day.
73
Chuck
WA5KRP
10-31-2004, 01:14 AM
KEWL BEANS!!!!
I remember when I lost my cherry. On 10/4/64 I had my first Novice QSO with WN5KTV in El Paso on 40M. Probably one of the most awesome moments in my life until 1966 when Sally Davis opened up a whole new world of experience.
SHUDDUP.
WA5KRP
Texas
Dudes, thats awesome! Congrats! I rushed threw learning CW, I wish that I didnt but I have been working on my code speed for a while now and I think that I am at the point that I could have a decent QSO, it takes time. Good job! Catch you on the air guys!
73,
Joe
KC9ECI
10-31-2004, 02:53 AM
You lost yours? I gave mine away.
ECI, first CW QSO....SWEET!
Keep after it man. It won't be long at all before you're an old salt. After a month of at least 1 daily QSO, it got ALOT easier and more fun for me. There are bunches of folks who would love to QSO with you and don't care about your speed. If they're too fast tell 'em to slow down and if they won't then give them a 73, a TNX, and CUL OM!
Check out the FISTS club people on .058 in most bands. They go out of their way to welcome new folks. Congratulations again and I'll be looking for you on the bands!
Yes, those first CW QSOs will be bumpy! 'Tis ever been so! You start by QSOing some locals. Then you have some "busted" QSOs with more distant stations. Then things fall into place eventually.
Won't be long before you'll be taking the test and upgrading.
kg6saj
10-31-2004, 06:53 AM
Congratulations! FB, young man. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
N8CPA
10-31-2004, 11:15 AM
Congrats! Don't be surprised if you start hearing code in the washing machine, the refrigerator, bird songs, etc. I get a case of the "codes" after contests now.
WA2ZDY
10-31-2004, 11:33 AM
Quote[/b] (w3sy @ Oct. 31 2004,01:43)]Yes, those first CW QSOs will be bumpy! 'Tis ever been so! You start by QSOing some locals. Then you have some "busted" QSOs with more distant stations. Then things fall into place eventually.
Won't be long before you'll be taking the test and upgrading.
I have my first logbook here and it's amusing to see all the question marks in there. I missed LOT at first,but it's all part of the game. Nobody is offended and after a while, you will be as proficient as you choose to be.
Everyone here knows my feelings about CW. No need to rehash it here. Just let it be said, I've lost the mic for my one month old TS480 . . .
ae4fa
10-31-2004, 01:19 PM
Fantastic!
6 is a great place to get some on-air CW experience - very quiet, and you're not likely to get QRMed.
We've had a slow-speed CW net going Thursday and Friday evenings on 50.210 for several months now. One of the guys is almost to 13 wpm already, and others are coming along nicely.
KC9ECI
10-31-2004, 01:27 PM
I posted to the local email reflector here asking for a CW buddy (FISTS term, not mine) who could meet me on 6 meters for some on air practice, and I got just about zero reply. The one guy that did answer, has an all mode receiver, so we tried me sending CW on 6 and him holding his 2 meter rig next to his CPO, but the HT overloaded the CPO, so now we're back to looking at other ideas. I was eventually pointed towards KF0Q on air by another local ham, and we were able to set a sked.
Better a CW buddy than a GOOD buddy.
KC9ECI
10-31-2004, 02:10 PM
I knew you wouldn't be able to resist.
Just keep setting me up, and I'll keep knocking 'em home, Tom....
KC9ECI
10-31-2004, 02:55 PM
That was more of a bunt than a home run.
ae4fa
10-31-2004, 07:56 PM
Well, I just had a rare pleasure. #I responded to a pretty slow CQ on 7.039. #Turns out it was the guy's first CW QSO. #What a trooper - he stayed with me for 47 minutes.
That qualified him for the Ragchewers award, and he seemed thrilled when I told him.
ECI, I just looked at your first post. #You qualified also.
The Ragchewers Award is free, and the very fancy certificate comes via a PDF file so you can print it out on the paper of your choice. #Details are at:
http://www.spar-hams.org
n0nwo
10-31-2004, 08:00 PM
Congratulations!!!!
My first cw experience went pretty well, until some one answered my CQ. It kinda went down hill from there.
For about a year, I had a cheat sheet of most common things sent so I would not get lost on where I was at in a word, or forget how to spell my name.
Hope to work ya!!!
Minton -n0nwo
KC9ECI
10-31-2004, 09:47 PM
Bob-
I now have all 3 endorsements for my Ragchewers Club award.
wb6bcn
10-31-2004, 11:17 PM
I will be honest: I have no idea with whom and the exact day of my first CW QSO. So I will say that my most important CW QSO was the text I sent and received at the FCC office in Long Beach, CA.
This was the five minute sending and five minute receiving of CW. When I took my code test you had to go to the FCC field office. There were no such things as VEs back then.
Quote[/b] ]For about a year, I had a cheat sheet of most common things sent so I would not get lost on where I was at in a word, or forget how to spell my name.
I got a sheet like that right above my straight key. Got what I will say all scripted out so I can keep the screw ups to a minimum. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I almost set new personal best for distance the other night. Managed to hear a Chicago station calling CQ on 40. I responded and we started to exchange info. I got his name, QTH, RST, and such and I sent him mine. Lost contact somewhere during my reply, have no idea if he heard any of it or not. 40 shut down on us in the middle of the QSO, dang it!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
Hope I can get back with him and finish up sometime. W9ZN, if you are reading this I copied you fine, hope you could hear me. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
ae4fa
11-01-2004, 03:13 AM
Bill, W9ZN, is a fixture on the lower portions of the HF bands - and a fine CW op. I'm pretty sure you'll run across him again.
Tom
Matt (KF0Q) is a great guy. I have done many contests including UHF / VHF roves in January with him. He is always willing to help. FB on the CW. When I first got my General ticket CW was about all I did so I could get my code speed up to 20 WPM. Once I made Extra and passed the 20 WPM code test I got away from CW. I am stating to do the county hunting thing and I was going thru my old QSL's to see what counties I have confirmed. To my surprise about 70% of my domestic contacts were CW. Maybe it's time to get back into that again.
Maybe we will hear you on 6 during the January contest.
KC9ECI
11-01-2004, 05:49 PM
Quote[/b] (N0WE @ Nov. 01 2004,08:08)]Maybe we will hear you on 6 during the January contest.
Be surprised if you don't. Clare is back in town, I will have to hit him up for some CW practice time soon too.
k6pme
11-01-2004, 06:07 PM
Hey! WAY COOL! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
N8CPA
11-01-2004, 08:08 PM
My wife, a blond NCT, just came up with a good Morse joke.
She asked me if I wanted to go to a play next Sunday, on one of the highest Holy Days of a brasspounder/contester's year. When I responded with "dididit dididit." She said, "Oh, that's right Sweepstakes. You're lucky; for a moment, I thought you were spelling 'blond.'"
Then she added, "Wait! That would be 'duh duh duh,' or however you send it in CW."
I've always known she had a sense of humor, from the day she agreed to marry me.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif