QSO Today Ep 58 - Chuck Adams - K7QO - CW at 145 WPM

Chuck Adams, K7QO, is working the world with his single channel 20 meter transceiver just to show that he can. CW is Chuck’s mode of choice because of its efficiency and as a gateway to making ham radio affordable to anyone. Chuck shares his ham radio life, his Manhattan Muppet board construction method, and how to copy call signs at 140 words a minute, with Eric, 4Z1UG, on this episode of QSO Today.

Show Notes: http://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/k7qo
Podcast Link: http://goo.gl/Q69QoL
iTunes Store: http://goo.gl/CvLNmV
Stitcher: http://goo.gl/uhf1XZ

 

Chuck is tha MAN!

Excelsior!

73
Chip W1YW

 

I love how your code speed is judged on copying a callsign then call it a QSO. I hear guys/gals say all the time, "I can only copy 10 WPM." Morse Code is not a speed contest, it's about communicating. Folks, this is a hobby, so get on the air with your 10 WPM and have fun. Chuck can talk to himself

 

I think so... CW is just another Hobbie . 25wpm I think is good to have QSO with your
Friend and DX. 145wpm I think is crazy. No need this 145wpm crap.

 

Congratulations Chuck ! The wimps come crying and whining out of the woodwork and
since they do not like it, you should stop doing it. It's the Liberal way !

Jim / W1FMR

 

What a sad state of affairs - he is proud of the fact that he can copy @ 140wpm and so is denigrated by others because they "don't see the need". He expressed clearly the reason why he sees it as desirable, but I guess that was too hard to grasp. Besides that, he shared his philosophy on learning CW, it seems everybody missed that entirely.

Congrats Chuck. I'm in CW Academy right now (4 lesson), starting to properly hear the letters and even a few words. I don't use visual aids and though it's slow going, I'm getting there.

Hope to QSO with you some day soon!

73 de K5KDT
Kevin

 

My thoughts exactly. Code is a very genteel manner of speaking; it's more considered, more thoughtful than voice. Too fast and you lose that charm.

 

I think all CW regardless of the speed should be supported. I can only do 5 WPM, sometimes 10 to 15 or even 20, it depends on the fist sending. I tend to think that one day, I may very well end up operating nothing but CW.

I am grateful for every ham who knows CW and cared enough to learn it. If there is ever a global disaster such as the Carrington event it will probably be solar powered QRP CW that gets through. Now I wish I still had my FT-817, so now I may end up buying a third one... would have thought I would have learned by now and kept the last one I had.. lol.

 

Wow.. I can't believe the negative people out there. Is this what amateur radio has come to? Chuck is proud of his CW abilities, and rightfully so. I imagine the people behind the negative posts may not know CW at all or are insecure with their own abilities.

Great accomplishment Chuck.

 

I think that it is great that he is having a blast working a single channel, one watt, 20 meter transceiver, that he built for less than $50.00. And of course, he is such a gentleman, that he is quite content slowing down his CW to QSO with anyone at any speed.

 

145 WPM is fantastic if you can converse. The best in conversation CW I've evern done was in the mid 70's WPM, although I can catch a thing or two at higher speeds. I'm afraid there won;'t be many QSO's around at 145. It's hard enough to find much over 40 . . . My hat's off to you Chuck! de K2YWE

 

The best I can do in a QSO is around 25, and that is only after going through CWAcademy levels 1 & 2. But I'm happy for him because he is happy about it. It ion no way challenges or threatens me. I still enjoy what I do

 

Me I have trouble at 5 wpm, to copy at 140 wpm is an incredible talent to have. You Go Chuck and congrats on the ability to copy at 140 wpm.
73
KA0ZLG

 

What's the very best morse there is? Solid copy that's what...

 

I think it is important to distinguish conversational speed and burst copy. I can copy 20 WPM conversationally but I can burst copy callsigns up to 40 WPM

When working contests or dxpeditions, you only need to copy short, fast exchanges. I don't see what the issue is. 145 WPM is very impressive even if it only a burst copy speed.

Amateur radio is something different for everybody. Similarly, CW is something different for everybody. Personally, I primarily use CW for 6 meter DXing and would prefer
to ragchew in voice. I think CW use should be supported no matter how or why you are using.