by Vince (VE6LK)
Firstly, an enormous shout-out and thanks to Thomas K4SWL for letting me hang around right here on QRPer.com and train my artistic writing chops, and to the group at QRPer.com for giving me such wonderful suggestions in my unique article – each of which propelled me into this enjoyable undertaking.
On January twentieth 2024, I posted a easy query to readers of QRPer.com, In case you may inform new CW learners your single finest tip to be taught CW, what would it not be?
I used to be overwhelmed with the response within the feedback and realized I had struck a nerve. At the least one particular person informed me that I ought to have purchased a lotto ticket with that form of luck, however I’ll inform you all that I’m richer with the data I’ve gained and shared with others on account of the interviews I carried out with the who’s who of the English-speaking CW world.
It’s with a combined coronary heart that I’m right here to announce that undertaking has drawn to an in depth. It’s been tremendously useful to so many individuals. Right here’s the ultimate episode and my private tip to all of you aspiring CW learners.
I’m blessed to have met so many fascinating individuals alongside the best way and cast new friendships because of this.
Moreover, further particular due to Tim N7KOM, Alan W2AEW and Adam K6ARK who, together with Thomas, have been my first victims interviewees the place I used to be capable of refine my interviewing and video enhancing course of. And, Adam gave me an excellent concept – refine the movies into YouTube Shorts format. These refined Shorts are referred to as 1CWQ and are the essence of every tip I recorded. The credit score for the Shorts actually belongs with Adam.
I interviewed 53 individuals for the sequence and produced effectively over 100 movies because of this as some gave us (you and I) a couple of tip. In case you missed the sequence, it’s not a ton of hours to binge watch. The unique recordings are 2-3 minutes every and the shorts are all underneath one minute, or else YouTube received’t let me name them a brief. You could find the Unique playlist right here and the Shorts playlist right here.
I hope you get pleasure from these CW ideas not less than half as a lot as I did in recording and enhancing them.
One closing tip, direct from my buddy W5WTH who provides the next wonderful recommendation in phrases higher than I may ever say:
“Don’t let excellent be the enemy of fine. Most CW ops are affected person and might acknowledge a brand new op instantly. They are going to probably be pleased to work you at a sluggish velocity as a result of they recall their private CW journey. SKCC and POTA are the 2 best, stress free methods to make a CW QSO. When you get the numbers and letters discovered then begin making an attempt to get on the air. Don’t fear should you screw up as a result of all of us screw up and attempt to get higher…”
I’ll add right here that CW means by no means having to say SRI (CW shorthand for sorry) <GRIN>. Additionally Pat W5WTH has a superb web site too!
Lastly, that is the story behind the straight key featured in the entire movies and in the primary picture for this text. The important thing was hand crafted by my buddy VE6AB, Jerry Clement, now a silent key. Jerry was a creator, maker, grasp machinist, backcountry hiker and camper, and photographer – an actual true Renaissance Man in each sense of the phrase. His pictures graced the covers of QST Journal typically in recent times.
At a time when CW was required for HF privileges in Canada, Jerry did his CW examination with this key and he informed me as soon as it was an actual attention-getter at that testing session! Upon his passing it was bequeathed to me with directions for me to make use of it and to maintain my [at-that-time struggling] CW abilities up. The one elements he didn’t manufacture have been the ball bearings and the rubber ft – the entire different elements have been crafted in his palms. I shall all the time treasure this lovely key.
Thanks, Jerry, for encouraging me from the nice past. DididiDahDiDah
73 and dit dit,
…Vince
First launched to the magic of radio by a member of the family in 1969, Vince has been energetic within the passion since 2002. He’s an Accredited examiner in Canada and the USA, operates on nearly the entire modes, and is frequently engaged on making his CW proficiency suck much less. He participates in public service occasions round Western Canada and is energetic on the air whereas glamping, cell, at house or doing a POTA activation. You may hear him on the Ham Radio Workbench podcast, observe him on Twitter/X @VE6LK and Mastodon @[email protected], try his YouTube channel, and view the tasks and articles on his web site.
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