CW Message Relayed to ERIN DIGITAL NET Tonight

[Sir John Honeybucket]

Tonight may have been a FIRST of it's kind for us.

Cooter and I met in Morse code before the ERIN NET and he passed his ERIN report to me via handsent Morse code (CW). It was easily copied on the first pass, FROM 800 MILES AWAY.  I poked his message into my laptop and forwarded his report along with my own to the ERIN Digital net within the hour.

Why this use of CW (Morse code) matters:

1.  Morse code absolutely outperforms voice in weak signal conditions, consuming far less battery power. Most strikingly,  unlike the excellent digital modes we gratefully use, the only computer you need for Morse code is between your ears.

2.  Cooter passed his report to me using his tiny, ULTRA-portable, LNR Precision MTR 4b "QRP" rig. It can easily fit in a shirt pocket, runs on small batteries and draws very little power. His power output was five Watts.

3.  This CW message relay capability, allowed him to report his area SITREP in Morse code to me, then I typed in to my laptop, and transmitted it to ERIN Digital net. Imagine just how HANDY this would be if he were having to backpack around TEOTWAWKI.

Something to consider: Many Unchained Prepper radio operators are communicating quite reliably at least once per week, to share 'local' information from many different regions, helping us to get 'the big picture'.  Thats is VALUABLE!

QUESTION: On 10 minutes notice, Can we all RIGHT NOW >ADD<  enough equipment to a BOB/backpack and then walk someplace, even somplace NEARBY, set-up the radio then reliably communicate with each other?  Probably not. However, with small QRP Morse (CW) transceivers, this is quite normal. 

So - congratulations Cooter! 


- Sir John Honeybucket

Ps. Maybe we should have a 'Spy's Night Out' , a CW net from remote locations away from home, to sharpen the skills amd confidence.

It's been done before WITH coffee too!
https://youtu.be/dI6mMPPN4J4

[JohnyMac]

I am game. I have a Yaesu 817 which I would use for CW out in the field.

May I propose we set a time/date for folks who are getting up to speed on CW to interact. I will play.

I am using an old straight key poorly that I picked up sometime down the road. Sir John or anybody else who would like to throw a suggestion out. What key should I use for my arthritic hands? Paddle? Bug? Other?

Thx -.-. --.- / -.-. --.- / -.-. --.-

[Sir John Honeybucket]

JM,

You mentioned using 'an old straight key' and THAT is exactly what we're using to send/receive hand-sent radio messages.  Paper and pencil copy is at speeds that match the straight key, so it really does keep things simple, robust and effective.

ONLY YOU know what works with your hands, but if you can use a straight key, so much the better. I'd be happy to help you to practice your Morse.  The -817 is a good radio. PA to VA should be good on forty day and eighty meters nightime.  PM me the time during the day/night you would be available to practice regularly. I'm retired, so I am all about time. 



Let me think a few days about times/freqs for new Morse operators to listen and possibly be officially put into the SOI.


-SJH

[cooter]

Jump on in JM.  You can't do much worse than me.  I was messing up left and right last night.
Maybe I'll fire up my FT 818 on CW and give that a try.

I'm working on a completely portable set-up to put in a rucksack.  That includes rig, power, rechargeable batteries, small solar panel and charger, antenna w/coax.

My current key is an MFJ 566P.  It is a small plastic (I think injection molded rather that 3D) straight key.  It works pretty good, when I can get my hand to cooperate .

Oh, and Sir John is great to work with.  Very patient and encouraging.

Mike

[FeedingFreedom]

I've successfully avoided using a straight key, every radio that I own has a built-in keyer, so paddles work to make the most out of my QLF sending. I have the Scheunemann Dirigent paddles, which are far above the quality I need, kind of like giving a Stradivarius violin to a monkey. 

For portable use, I printed these paddles and assembled them. As soon as I get some more OD green filament, I'll be printing several more sets. They work pretty well for what they cost, I am going to add some features like magnets on the base, then they could be mounted more easily to keep them still.

[Sir John Honeybucket]

Those look VERY GOOD, FF!  That would be excellent , especially for portable opns.

-SJH

Ps.  'Someday' I should get into 3D printing.

[pkveazey]

I've successfully avoided using a straight key, every radio that I own has a built-in keyer, so paddles work to make the most out of my QLF sending. I have the Scheunemann Dirigent paddles, which are far above the quality I need, kind of like giving a Stradivarius violin to a monkey. 

For portable use, I printed these paddles and assembled them. As soon as I get some more OD green filament, I'll be printing several more sets. They work pretty well for what they cost, I am going to add some features like magnets on the base, then they could be mounted more easily to keep them still.

Oh, Crap..... I knew it. Somebody would eventually come up with a homebrew key that would rival mine. OK, OK, I'll take a picture of mine and post it. I took a CB antenna magnet mount and then used a double sided circuit board to fashion a paddle that's about the size of a toungue depressor. The circuit board has the pefect amount of flex. That magnet is a bitch to remove from whatever Iron or Steel you attach it to. Don't you just hate it when you have to chase the damn key all over the desk. OK, I'm off to take a picture of my home brew paddle key.

[cooter]

FeedingFreedom and PKVeazy;  nice looking paddles, both of them.  Especially since they were made by the user.

[FeedingFreedom]

Nice sideswiper pk! I have a box of key and paddle "experiments", some work great, others, well, they fill up the box. If you're ever in the field and your key is slippy, put a damp paper towel under it, it won't slide as much. I keep a silicone mat in the case under my paddles just in case, but you'd need grease to get the Dirigent to slide. 

I usually print everything in my favorite color (OD), but I couldn't get it for a while so I did these in black and red. I need to add small counterbores to the bottom so I can glue neodymium magnets on. You can buy these and other designs already printed and assembled, price runs from $30-$60. The cool thing about the STL file is that if you have access to a CNC mill, you can convert and load them up and machine them out of metal. One of my goals is to try lost PLA casting of aluminum and brass. And I still want to hollow out a big rock and grind the bottom flat, then install a decent paddle mechanism inside. Inside the mind of a madman... 

For the paddle slapper/coffee fan in your life, we offer the "Paddle on a Tile" option. They don't sell these paddles at CW Guys anymore, shame because they were around $15, worked pretty well, and weighed a couple grams. Well, a couple grams before I glued them to a rock.

[JohnyMac]

Okay, as mentioned before my CW issue is rhythm. I ain't got no rhythm! LOL.

I tried to play guitar and piano in my youth when finally my guitar teacher, after three years told me, "tell your mom that I can not accept your money anymore. Your son does not have any rhythm."

So my first and second attempt at using CW was using a straight key. My dits sounded like dahs and my dahs were way to long. So thanks to Sir John and his passion for CW I have decided to jump back in and am trying to figure out if I should buy a paddle, dual-paddle, a Bug or something else.

Looking for suggestions and comments for a man with no rhythm. 

[Sir John Honeybucket]

JM -

Based on what you mentioned about 'no rythm' , I suggest 'no bugs'.  Likely a straight key and paddle(s) as you feel best.  I do use dual paddle when necessary, but I use the two paddles like one single paddle because I used a bug for a very long time and never saw the need for 'Iambic' paddles use.  The paddle(s) I have are superb and were a very thoughtful retirement gift, otherwise I'd still be slapping around the old McElroy bug.

73 de Sir John Honeybucket

[FeedingFreedom]

I think the solution is paddles and the keyer in the radio. There should be a way to practice with the keyer without transmitting. Searching online is the easiest way to find specific info for your radio. I'd buy a decent used set of Vibroplex Iambic Deluxe, or if you like the paddles closer together, DX Engineering sells Hi-Mound now, the MK-706 was my favorite until I bought the Dirigent. Probably work out to be about the same price. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of "cheap" paddles that actually work well, and a janky paddle will frustrate you beyond belief. A straight key requires you to form good code totally manually, a bug will frustrate you and everyone you contact for a good long while since it also requires more timing than a set of iambic paddles with a keyer. Your code will be more readable from the start. Although for what half-decent straight keys cost, you could try one without much risk. I can even loan you a WWII training key if you want to give it a shot.

If you want to practice, LCWO.net is a good place, if you have an account, it keeps track of your progress and tailors the lessons to you.

I'm still a rank beginner, but every CW op that I've come across will slow down and work with you. If you need inspiration, read The Art and Skill of Radio Telephony at: http://zerobeat.net/tasrt/

Looking forward to more CW this winter, hopefully a few "snowshoe portable" contacts too.

[pkveazey]

I think the solution is paddles and the keyer in the radio. There should be a way to practice with the keyer without transmitting. Searching online is the easiest way to find specific info for your radio. I'd buy a decent used set of Vibroplex Iambic Deluxe, or if you like the paddles closer together, DX Engineering sells Hi-Mound now, the MK-706 was my favorite until I bought the Dirigent. Probably work out to be about the same price. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of "cheap" paddles that actually work well, and a janky paddle will frustrate you beyond belief. A straight key requires you to form good code totally manually, a bug will frustrate you and everyone you contact for a good long while since it also requires more timing than a set of iambic paddles with a keyer. Your code will be more readable from the start. Although for what half-decent straight keys cost, you could try one without much risk. I can even loan you a WWII training key if you want to give it a shot.

If you want to practice, LCWO.net is a good place, if you have an account, it keeps track of your progress and tailors the lessons to you.

I'm still a rank beginner, but every CW op that I've come across will slow down and work with you. If you need inspiration, read The Art and Skill of Radio Telephony at: http://zerobeat.net/tasrt/

Looking forward to more CW this winter, hopefully a few "snowshoe portable" contacts too.

I'm only going to comment on the code practice part of your post. There was supposed to be a way to do Code practice on my old IC 718 and I used it but I forgot how to do it. Then I just said, "Screw it, I'll just turn the TX power down to zero". Now that I have the IC 7300, I haven't looked in the manual for how to do Code practice but I just turn the TX power all the way down to zero. You can also just turn the power down to zero and use a Dummy load just in case some RF gets out. I always start my practice with my call sign and the words Code Practice.

[pkveazey]

Okay, as mentioned before my CW issue is rhythm. I ain't got no rhythm! LOL.

I tried to play guitar and piano in my youth when finally my guitar teacher, after three years told me, "tell your mom that I can not accept your money anymore. Your son does not have any rhythm."

So my first and second attempt at using CW was using a straight key. My dits sounded like dahs and my dahs were way to long. So thanks to Sir John and his passion for CW I have decided to jump back in and am trying to figure out if I should buy a paddle, dual-paddle, a Bug or something else.

Looking for suggestions and comments for a man with no rhythm. 

I'm also going to suggest that you DO NOT BUY A BUG. Some folks swear by them and others swear at them. I've played around with a bug and found that the BUG runs you instead of you running the BUG. I don't do much CW anymore even though I like it. It makes me sleepy so I tend to not use it. However, when all is lost, that CW Mode will still be there. I'm going to suggest something to do while riding in the car. Only do this when somebody else is driving..... Say the Dits and Dahs that spell out the roadsigns. No, not the great big billboards. Just the STOP, YIELD, CAUTION, CURVE AHEAD, NO PARKING, etc. After a while, the sounds of the characters will start to SWING like music phrases and you actually will get pretty good at it. Sorry but here comes the cold hard truth......... You will never copy faster than you can send. That's because you know what you are sending but you don't know what's coming.

[JohnyMac]

Thank you for all the suggestions.

At last nights club mtg, an old CW-er from Brackney and a former Frogman (You know him FF) is going to lend me a paddle and a dual-paddle to try out. He has seen me dance so he understands the rhythm thing.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsl3IBAsEH4

I just love the folks here on UP. Everyone is so helpful. 

[Sir John Honeybucket]

Just a topic BUMP!
// Any other Morse ops out there, whether old season brass pounders or aspiring ops and those in between, please post here. //

Cooter is still passing his weekly ERIN reports to me, from roughly 800 miles away via handsent Morse (CW) at roughly five Watts , using a QRP rig that he can slip into a pocket and a wire antenna.



Simple, very low power consumption, extremely portable, and a fraction of the cost of what most people think that tham radio must cost. His wee signal wends it's way to my pointy ears through static, voice intereference, Cuban government jammers &etc.  no computer needed (or, in my case, wanted    )


73 de Sir John Honeybucket ..._  ._

[Sir John Honeybucket]

When you KNOW which way the wind is blowing (in current history)

No computer 'baggage' required, excellent in low signal/high noise, very power efficient, highly mobile equipment is common, easy to keep operating from a rucksack for a long time without resupply.  IMPRESS The Missus (or candidates for such).

Sir John Honeybucket

[JohnyMac]

LOVE IT!

And to a large degree, it is "code".