Simple, really - Heathkit and the step-by-step, well-illustrated manuals. That and doing some study on radio-electronics.
Interesting video, but watching him hit that dit paddle multiple times to get multiple dits just didn't compute
Easy - the QCX is CW only. The market for the training tools is chock full of people who want to be CW Ops but are unwilling to get on the air. They still cling to that mic and are loathe to purchase a rig that lacks a mic jack. It's actually very sad. I know someone who has been learning CW for years but has yet to secure his first QSO. I taught two CW Ops beginner classes and none of my students are using their skills on the air. I am not pursuing CW Ops at this time, as it seems to be a breeding ground for 25+ WPM keyboard ops that focus almost entirely on contesting. I'll take a ten-minute QSO with a 15 WPM straight-key guy with a shaky fist any day of the week. Tank, if you're reading this: Ping me. I will privately tutor you at no cost. Join the "haves" and experience the heart of Ham Radio.
Learn to take things at face value and enjoy the positive efforts of others. Sometimes you can WATCH and don't always have to DO.
Yeah, but that would actually require reading books and studying stuff…. That would be asking for too much these days.
Same here! W2NSD/1 Cassette tape, pencil and paper. Wayne Green's first nine characters: EISH TMO AN..... "Doesn't the "L" have a nice ring to it?" Good stuff. 73,Eric
Nice work Frank.. You might get some use out of this handy, inexpensive gadget- an adjustable circuit board holder>>
Are you going to build an HF antenna now and forget you didn't have an HF radio? What a joke. We all wanted to see the thing work. We know what it looks like to build.
Here are the thoughts of Hans Summers of QRP Labs: One thing I do believe though is that as soon as you can send and receive all the characters, however slowly.... then it is worth getting on air and making some real QSOs. Have confidence... everyone was a beginner once! The best way, in my opinion, to build up speed and confidence is to actually USE it. Try NOT to rely on a CW decoder such as the built-in CW decoder on the QCX kit. They are never as good as the human ear. They don't succeed so well when there is interference, fading, or variations in timing that you hear so often on air. CW is supposed to be a gentlemanly activity. If you send a call (CQ), at a certain speed, people should answer you at the same speed. Or, if you answer someone else's CQ, they should answer you at the same speed you use. This is gentlemanly behaviour. People should be patient and gentle with newcomers. I have met many real gentlemen on air and they have graciously slowed down to match my speed (which is still below average!). On the other hand - there are many, MANY non-gentlemen; those who won't slow down; who have forgotten the days when they were beginners; who are always in a hurry, or just collecting points; even if they are not rare DX, not a special event station, and not in a contest. Well, just don't worry about this. You can't change them, don't try. Just don't get upset or deterred, just continue regardless. Ignore morons.
Morserino is a much more capable learning tool, and can be used for Internet QSOs as well as a keyer for older radios without one built in. $9 more than this one.
I certainly appreciate those who have CW skills and admire them for it, however i just don’t care for it, W6FRD
