[MiQP-Mail] CW

[Dirk Esterline]

You are right in the sense that you probably don't want to head off to the
CW portion and start calling CQ. However, it is quite common to make an
SSB contact and have that person ask if you are on CW. If you are a new
county for them, a CW contact would count as another multiplier.

Here is the advantage to that. First, since CW is allowed anywhere on the
band, you don't need to change frequencies and try to find each other.
Just stay right where you are and change the mode switch on your radio to
CW. Also, you have just made a voice contact with that person so you
already know their information. CW is always easier to understand when you
know what the person is sending. The only thing that will change is the
contact number but that will be one higher so you will know what to listen
for there as well.

We still use the honor system of course but it is very easy to copy when
you have the letters right there in front of you. So just follow along
send rrr and then your information. Let them know up front that you can
only send 5 wpm. Nobody will care, they will just be happy for the
multiplier. It can be a lot of fun knowing that you helped someone's score
out a lot and it will give you some confidence.

So, see if you can learn all the letters and numbers before the contest.
Don't worry about the punctuation marks. You won't need them. My bet is
you'll be hooked and your motivation to learn CW will get a shot in the
arm.

Good luck and have fun.

73

KG8JK



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