I’m hearing some new ops on the CW bands these days, and I think it’s very cool. I’m not sure what’s motivating them, but whatever it is, I’m all for it.
Here’s one email I got from a fellow after our QSO:
Dan,
I’m a new CW operator and I heard your call tonight and recognized it from podcast fame, so I answered. I appreciated that you slowed down right away, but I immediately regretted my decision when you sent more than RST and state 😉. I could tell you were asking questions, but I was lost. Then my fingers panicked and stopped working 🙂. I bet I’m the only guy that’s ever happened to.
I’m using the Morse Code Ninja podcasts which are great (only a few characters left). I try to hunt a few POTA activators here and there for the simple/predictable exchange, and listen far more than I send.
Anyway, I got you in the log and hopefully our paths will cross again once I’ve got some more QSOs under my belt. Thanks for trying.
73,
Todd
Here’s another:
Dan,
It was good making contact. I hope someday to be able to copy. :-) I probably got about 60% of what you sent. I think I got the gist of what you were saying. Thanks for your patience.
This is the class I’m taking https://cwinnovations.net/ Glen put it together and this is the second time he/they’ve taught it. It is ten weeks long. We started on the 6th. I’ve read tons of stuff on learning CW and have taken the beginning and intermediate CWops classes. It will be interesting to see what innovations he has in this course.
I’ve been using a paddle until this point and have decided to try a straight key in this course to see if the tactile motion improves copying. It might be helping some, but who knows as I’m doing other stuff and getting experience every day.
I know one thing that holds me back is when I do stuff like POTA, WES or SST, I search and pounce assisted. If I know what is coming, copying is easy. :-) That’s why I need to do more rag chews.
Thanks again. I look forward to seeing you in Dayton.
Robert
A third fellow sent me a QSL card after struggling through a QSO, and after I sent him an electronic version of my book, CW Geek’s Guide to Having Fun with Morse Code. He wrote:
I didn’t realize until after our QSO that I have the No Nonsense Extra Class License Study Guide on my Kindle. Thanks again for the CW advice!
These weren’t the smoothest contacts I’ve made lately, but I give them a lot of credit for trying. I hope that if you find yourself in the same situation, and hear me calling CQ, that you’ll give me a call.
And, if any of you more experienced operators hear these new ops, be slow and patient with them. They’re making the effort, so you should, too.