Issue 13: Behind the Curtain of a Secret Language

Ya... the dream of talking to people all over the world using weak signal CW back when I was 10 or 11 years old is what got me into ham radio back in the 1970s.

I like both straight keys and paddles. Not all straight keys are good. Kent makes a great feeling straight key. Love it. Begali makes a really good feeling key... solid block of steel, super precision bearings and something about those magnets make it a one of a kind straight key that is either ON or OFF. And my Navy "flame-proof" key, something about the precision of its bearings also makes it a great feeling key.

My Bencher BY-3 is as good as any paddles I've ever used.

Back when there were professions of copying and sending code for 8 hour/day shifts produced CW ops who could do what seemed like magic in the ham bands. Since those professions have gone away and people are "aging out," you can probably count the number of (edit: "good") "high speed" CW operators left in the world on two hands. Sending 50 WPM is not the same as copying 50 WPM.

I've been CW my whole life and have only approached 30 WPM. But I wasn't doing it 8 hours per day, either. I've kind of dropped out of it recently for at least a couple of reasons. One of them being not many people left on the air even trying to maintain any level of conversational CW. (They *think* they're sending good code...)

 

Hi Guy, nice comments, thanks. I agree with you on the fact that just because you can send fast doesn't mean that you can be in QSO's at that speed. In my fastest, I'm working "formula" QSOs such as a contest, with name, QTH and RST. Once you stray off that path and into some conversation about something else, I can get lost. Dave

 

Very interesting but I wonder why not just use a keyboard. You will have perfect code at any speed at which you can type. You will not have to worry about correct timing of the keying as the electronics will handle it. Many people can or can learn to type much faster tha any human can copy. The price will be far lower.

 

Sounds like cheating to me, but what the heck, I'd try it . . . Dave

 

Another great article. I got back into the hobby a few months ago and am having a lot of fun exploring new digital modes. But I am mostly running CW and enjoying it much more than SSB or the soundcard modes. I too struggled with head copy and what to write down, and independently came on the technique of writing down a few things and head copying the rest. I started this when I ran CW mobile from my 1972 VW van and FT-101E. I'd write the callsign down on the inside of the windshield with a grease pen. Maybe a few other things. Never ran off the road.

Anyway fast forward to today and I had Mike March, K4QU fabricate a custom paddle for me.
It's a joy to use and a work of art. Kind of a steampunk vibe, which is exactly what I was looking for.
I guess I'll keep it forever since I had my call engraved on the base.

 

Hey great Comments Tom. Thanks. I love the photo! That key is awesome looking, nice design. You're right -- you own it forever now that it is engraved. But heck, it was custom made for you so why not! Dave

 

I had this license plate on my RV in CA years ago but that's gone.

I just applied for the same tag number in FL, don't know if it will be issued but I'm hoping. The plate reads,

CW4 EVR

Licensed 57 years now and have used every legal mode there is so far, but always come back to 80-90% CW. It's not just fun, it's peaceful and quiet (so are the modern digital modes, but on CW I have long rag chews). Headphones. Nobody can hear the almost silent tapping of the paddle key. By far the best mode for portable/camping operations if other people are around. Nothing needed but the rig, a battery, headphones and paddle. 99% of my "camping"/RV activity was always CW, just for the peacefulness of it and no need for a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.

 

Thanks Steve. Agree on CW. Great license plate. Hope you get it.

 

I finally got around to reading your article on the “secret language”, Dave, and I have to say it brought back some warm memories. My best friend, Chris, and I learned the code in 4th grade for that very reason!

As for your comments about Begali keys …

I share your observations about Piero and Bruna and Begali keys. I met them both at Dayton—I think it was 2005. Very shortly after that wonderfully pleasant meeting my son gifted me a Begali Simplex. It was and is a wonderful key.

I have been a CW operator since getting my Novice ticket in 1962, and have owned and used any number of keys before getting my first Begali. The Simplex was a revelation—not just for its wonderful feel, appearance and quality, but for the fact that for the first time I could connect my key to wonderful people I’d actually met.

Since then, I’ve acquired and I use daily two more Begali keys, a Pearl magnetic return force paddle and a Spark straight key. Every time I use them I can almost feel Bruna and Piero’s presence.

Their persons, their company and their keys are very special and I feel blessed both to have a few of their keys and to have had the pleasure of meeting them at Dayton.

My Simplex …



My Pearl …



All three of my Begali keys …

 

Good read. I got licensed back when CW was required. Admittedly, it did limit me to Advanced class at the time. However, since then I've gotten Extra and the CW interest has come back.

Starry-eyed at the reviews I saw, I purchased a Begali Simplex. I could not get it to hold the contact spacing. Since then, I've sold it and purchased a couple of keys from Yury, UR5CDX, that I enjoy.

So, at least, I'm getting better than I was at listening to CW but still have a ways to go 'til I'll be satisfied. Using the near standard POTA exchanges has helped me practice and be active.

 

Conosco Piero da quasi 20 anni. Il mio primo "Begali" lo acquistai dalle sue mani nel 2006 e da allora lo uso quotidianamente.
I tasti Begali sono delle opere d'arte, si possono paragonare agli Stradivari dei tasti telegrafici.
Piero è una persona eccezionale, umile, semplice e sempre disponibile a fare "quattro chiacchere".
Un saluto a tutti coloro che hanno tradotto dall'italiano.
Massimo, IW3ILM

 

Yury makes a great paddle and I've been in touch with him to get a review sample. The issue is sending it back and forth to the Ukraine. He's a nice man. I may end up buying one to review. Thanks, Dave

 

Translation: I have known Piero for almost 20 years. I bought my first "Begali" from his hands in 2006 and I have been using it daily ever since. The Begali keys are works of art, they can be compared to the Stradivarius.

 

Great article!
I started radio in the late 90s. Then I didn't think about the CW, but I knew there was such a connection.
I was absorbed in SSB at the time at the club station. When I visited the city radio club, its main focus was the radio direction finding "fox hunting".
Returning to the hobby at the end of 2014, I started with SSB again. Restored his call sign and received a second class license. This opened up to me all ranges with a power of no more than 100W.
Since 2015, I started learning and trying digimode.
I didn't have anyone to study cw with, but I woke up with a desire to know it and be able to use it. I studied CW reception on my own using computer programs - APAK, LCWO, Morse runner...
After 1.5-2 months I could confidently take CW at a speed of 15wpm in computer programs.
I started conducting my first QSOs in groups 3 months after the start of my studies. At first, the MixW program helped me in admission. Unfortunately, the transmission is only from the keyboard, but I always admire and admire the magnificent CW keys.
I can't conduct a QSO while chatting in the cw, but I have enough for a full exchange of information of a typical QSO and not much more, but not a full conversation.
My receiving speed is about 30-35wpm, but it's not constant and not always error-free.
Here, in order to get a first class license, you still need to take the CW to receive mixed groups of text.
Thank you for your article!

 

Thanks Alex. I hope to bump into y0u someday soon on the air, Dave