element 1
 

Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

On 30 Sep 2003 23:17:41 GMT, ojunk (G. Doughty)
wrote:

Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

Hi OM,

The answer is found by taking only questions from the question pool.
In your case, the questions would be a CW pool (there are only so many
tapes to do the job, unless it is computerized now - in that regard it
becomes a matter of a QSO content pool). Unless your opportunity for
testing is only occasional, re-testing will motivate and get you
through the process as quickly as any other. After all, there is the
clean copy part (if that hasn't changed) where you may never hear
anything but straight text.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

47 CFR97.503

The alphabet, the numerals, the period, the comma, the fraction bar, the
question mark; and the prosigns: AR, SK and BT.

If you can handle these at 10 wpm you are home free!!!! Go upgrade at
next session.

Deacon Dave, W1MCE
Registered Instructor, ARRL
----------------
G. Doughty wrote:

Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

G.,
It also helps if you know the TTY characters, Baudot
code, and the 'Star Spangled Banner'... but not much.
'Doc

I took my test back in July and here's my advice to you;

All alpha characters will be in the test. Most if not all numerals will be
in the test. Prosigns are there but are not required to pass the test.
Q-codes are there but, of course, they are already covered with the "all
alpha characters" mentioned previously.

The test itself consisted a simple QSO starting with a series of V's. They
don't count but copy them anyway. It will put you into the right frame of
mind.

VVV VVV KL1J DE K2UGO/4 TKS FR YR CALL VINCE. = UR RST 548 THE WX SUNNY RIG
IS COLLINS KWM380 AT 476 WATTS, QTH IS BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA. NAME ZOLA = ANT
IS MONOBANDER UP 29 FEET. HW COPY? KL1J DE K2UGO + *

You will be asked the following questions (typically)

What is the receiving station call sign?
What is the transmitting station call?
What is the receiving operators name?
What was the signal report?
What is the weather?
What equipment is used by the transmitting station?
What was the transmitting station RF power in watts?
What city is the transmitting station in?
What is the transmitting operators name?
What antenna was used by the transmitting station?
What is the antenna height?

It helps to be familiar with different antenna types and rig manufacturer
names. When you hear RST being sent, pay close attention to the report. When
you hear RIG or RADIO (whatever), pay close attention to what it is and the
power level. Once you hear QTH, pay close attention to where the operator
lives. You will be sent both calls twice - one at the beginning, again at
the end. The slash will be in the QSO and you should know it. Everyone I
talked to said it was part of one of the calls (as above). Sometimes the
calls don't follow conventional formats. Don't worry about it! Don't worry
about punctuation or prosigns.

Try and copy as much as you can. If you have problems answering the
questions, the VE will then look for 25 (?) consecutive characters copied
correctly (numbers count for 2).

Good Luck!

Tom - AC9TS


You would need to know
"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

It is the letters of the alphabet, numerals, period, comma, question mark,
/, and the following prosigns: BT (written as =), K, KN, and AR. The test
is sent in the form of a simulated QSO (conversation or contact) between two
stations. It runs for 5 minutes and you copy as much as you can. Then you
will either need to answer 7 out of 10 questions correctly on the content of
the QSO or have 1 minute of solid copy (i.e. no errors) to pass. At 5wpm,
one minute is 25 characters, however the numerals, punctuation and prosigns
count as if they were two characters due to their length.

The Q-codes are composed of individual letters so there is no problem there.
Even so, probably the only ones that will occur is QTH (location), QSO
(conversation or contact), and QSL (acknowledge receipt of transmission).

As far as Q-codes (and abbreviations) copy exactly what you hear not what
you think they might be sending and you should be all right.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

YES!!
each letter , prosign , and number is possible . including puncuation

"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

Then toss it all out and use phone for the rest of your Ham days
Lushy
"dwayne" wrote in message
ink.net...
YES!!
each letter , prosign , and number is possible . including puncuation

"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book
or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

Here is the catch . . . I don't want to use phone. I was very apprehensive at
first about cw but now that I have been doing it, I can't wait to use it. I
didn't study in college to not use it and I am not wasting my time now studying
for element one. I just can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to use cw.
LOL

Thanks for all the help folks, I am much more comfortable now!!
73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

"dwayne" wrote in message
ink.net...
YES!!
each letter , prosign , and number is possible . including puncuation


Incorrect. There are many prosigns, such as AS, that will NOT be on the
test. There are many of the punctuation marks, such as apostrophe, quotes,
and parenthesis, that will not be on the test.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE


"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book
or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

On Wed, 01 Oct 2003 21:22:46 GMT, "Dee D. Flint"
wrote:


"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

It is the letters of the alphabet, numerals, period, comma, question mark,
/, and the following prosigns: BT (written as =), K, KN, and AR. The test

BT should be the double dash "- - " At least I've never seen it as
anything else.


is sent in the form of a simulated QSO (conversation or contact) between two
stations. It runs for 5 minutes and you copy as much as you can. Then you
will either need to answer 7 out of 10 questions correctly on the content of
the QSO or have 1 minute of solid copy (i.e. no errors) to pass. At 5wpm,

Did they drop the requirement from two minutes to one minute?

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)


one minute is 25 characters, however the numerals, punctuation and prosigns
count as if they were two characters due to their length.

The Q-codes are composed of individual letters so there is no problem there.
Even so, probably the only ones that will occur is QTH (location), QSO
(conversation or contact), and QSL (acknowledge receipt of transmission).

As far as Q-codes (and abbreviations) copy exactly what you hear not what
you think they might be sending and you should be all right.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"Roger Halstead" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 01 Oct 2003 21:22:46 GMT, "Dee D. Flint"
wrote:


"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a
majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book
or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

It is the letters of the alphabet, numerals, period, comma, question
mark,
/, and the following prosigns: BT (written as =), K, KN, and AR. The
test

BT should be the double dash "- - " At least I've never seen it as
anything else.


Double dash is also "=". And is the only way I've seen it written in the
books on code such as "Morse Code: The Essential Language". It is also
written "=" on the check sheet that the VEs use to check copy. The sequence
for BT is the same as the sequence for the equals sign. For example if you
wanted to send 1 + 1 = 2, it would be

di-dah-dah-dah-dah di-dah-di-dah-dit di-dah-dah-dah-dah dah-di-di-di-dah
di-di-dah-dah-dah

Note that the prosign AR is the same as the "+" sign.


is sent in the form of a simulated QSO (conversation or contact) between
two
stations. It runs for 5 minutes and you copy as much as you can. Then
you
will either need to answer 7 out of 10 questions correctly on the content
of
the QSO or have 1 minute of solid copy (i.e. no errors) to pass. At
5wpm,

Did they drop the requirement from two minutes to one minute?


It has been one minute solid copy since I got into amateur radio in 1992.
Before that, I couldn't say.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE
(VE for ARRL & W5YI)

Dear Neighbor Roger:
It has been one minute of perfect copy (out of five) since at least
the early 50s. That was the only receiving standard. One also had to
demonstrate that one could send CW - you were allowed to bring your own
key.
73 Mac N8TT
--
J. Mc Laughlin - Michigan USA
Home:

"Roger Halstead" wrote in message
snip

Did they drop the requirement from two minutes to one minute?

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)

On Thu, 02 Oct 2003 11:47:29 GMT, "Dee D. Flint"
wrote:


"Roger Halstead" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 01 Oct 2003 21:22:46 GMT, "Dee D. Flint"
wrote:


"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a
majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book
or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

It is the letters of the alphabet, numerals, period, comma, question
mark,
/, and the following prosigns: BT (written as =), K, KN, and AR. The
test

BT should be the double dash "- - " At least I've never seen it as
anything else.


Double dash is also "=". And is the only way I've seen it written in the
books on code such as "Morse Code: The Essential Language". It is also
written "=" on the check sheet that the VEs use to check copy. The sequence
for BT is the same as the sequence for the equals sign. For example if you
wanted to send 1 + 1 = 2, it would be

di-dah-dah-dah-dah di-dah-di-dah-dit di-dah-dah-dah-dah dah-di-di-di-dah
di-di-dah-dah-dah

Note that the prosign AR is the same as the "+" sign.

I've never seen either written that way, but I learned the code in
1961:-)) I use it, but haven't looked at a book on it since.

We never bothered to write out KN, or AR as they had a significance to
the transmission. If you heard KN you did not break in. As with SK
it means this is the last transmission and we didn't write that out
either. Non of those were on the test, but again that was in 61. The
only prosigns were the comma, period, slash bar, and double dash which
was nothing more than adding space. I didn't get any more than that
on the extra and I took that at the FCC Detroit office. Actually I
don't think there was a double dash on the extra.

Times sure change....



is sent in the form of a simulated QSO (conversation or contact) between
two
stations. It runs for 5 minutes and you copy as much as you can. Then
you
will either need to answer 7 out of 10 questions correctly on the content
of
the QSO or have 1 minute of solid copy (i.e. no errors) to pass. At
5wpm,

Did they drop the requirement from two minutes to one minute?


It has been one minute solid copy since I got into amateur radio in 1992.
Before that, I couldn't say.

It was 2 minutes solid when I took the Novice, General, and Extra.
(61, 62, and 73??.. I think it was 73 or at least there abouts.)

At least we didn't have essay questions:-)) which I believe they
phased out in the 50s.
And...I haven't seen any math that couldn't be worked out in the
applicant's head (if they know the material and "rules of thumb"). db
being the easiest of all which a lot of students find difficult.

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE
(VE for ARRL & W5YI)

On Fri, 3 Oct 2003 22:25:04 -0400, "J. McLaughlin"
wrote:

Dear Neighbor Roger:
It has been one minute of perfect copy (out of five) since at least
the early 50s. That was the only receiving standard. One also had to
demonstrate that one could send CW - you were allowed to bring your own
key.

Well, my memory ain't what it used to be and that was a long time
back, but I'll swear it was a total of 2 minutes when I took the
Novice, General, and Extra...but I do remember being able to bring
your own key down to Detroit.

Sending may sound simple, but trying to do so when really nervous was
a true challenge. LOL I remember one guy at out session who failed
on the transmitt...although it "seems like" they let him redo the
sending test. which wasn't typical. It seems like I remember a couple
of dropped keys too.

I do remember that "for me" the Advanced was the easiest and took
about 10 minutes. The Extra took about 15 to 20 minutes. BUT I worked
in the field and knew the stuff forward and backwards by then. I
hasten to add that it didn't cover a lot of the stuff now covered. It
had about two questions on any phase of Amateur Radio...Now I'd think
it would be impossible to get one question on every phase.

73

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)


73 Mac N8TT

Why not call your VE and ask what is sent on the test.
Here in San Diego, a pre-test info sheet it available -- see URL:
http://ac6v.com/morseaids.htm#CWPASS

A snip from the San Diego pre-test info sheet
-------------------------------------
"You will want to know in what manner to study, note that in the example,
code characters are sent at 13 wpm, with the spacing adjusted for overall 5
wpm speed – study accordingly is recommended. The VEC’s in your particular
area can be found at URL: http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/veclist.html
You will note that the sample QSO contains all of the alphabet letters,
numbers 1 thru 0, punctuation such as the period, comma, question mark,
slant bar, and the prosigns BT, AR, and SK. All of these are required by the
FCC to demonstrate your knowledge of the Morse Code."

--------------------------------------------

End Snip

Note callsigns with "de" is in the sample message.

I don't think Q-Signals are sent in the test. At least the sample does not
have any.

It may vary in your area, so call your VEC
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/veclist.html

Good Luck
73 From the Spurious Noise ';';;';x":.,";"'

--------------------------------------------------

"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Is this test open game? Basically, are all characters, q-codes, and
prosigns
fair game on this test. I have studied relentlessly and know a majority
of
them and can receive at 10wpm but everytime I look at a different book or
website I find more stuff.

Thanks for the input

73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

"Spurious Noise" wrote in message
news:7XAfb.50587$Ms2.14819@fed1read03...
Why not call your VE and ask what is sent on the test.
Here in San Diego, a pre-test info sheet it available -- see URL:
http://ac6v.com/morseaids.htm#CWPASS

A snip from the San Diego pre-test info sheet
-------------------------------------
"You will want to know in what manner to study, note that in the example,
code characters are sent at 13 wpm, with the spacing adjusted for overall
5
wpm speed - study accordingly is recommended. The VEC's in your particular
area can be found at URL: http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/veclist.html
You will note that the sample QSO contains all of the alphabet letters,
numbers 1 thru 0, punctuation such as the period, comma, question mark,
slant bar, and the prosigns BT, AR, and SK. All of these are required by
the
FCC to demonstrate your knowledge of the Morse Code."

--------------------------------------------

End Snip

Note callsigns with "de" is in the sample message.

I don't think Q-Signals are sent in the test. At least the sample does not
have any.

It may vary in your area, so call your VEC
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/veclist.html

Good Luck
73 From the Spurious Noise ';';;';x":.,";"'

From what I remember (and admittedly, it's been awhile), they may include
QTH in the simulated transmission since it is supposed to be representative
of an actual QSO but the question on the written might be phrased "What is
the location?" It's an easy way to include Q. However they will not ask
"What does QTH mean?"

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"Spurious Noise" wrote in message
news:7XAfb.50587$Ms2.14819@fed1read03...
Why not call your VE and ask what is sent on the test.
Here in San Diego, a pre-test info sheet it available -- see URL:
http://ac6v.com/morseaids.htm#CWPASS

A snip from the San Diego pre-test info sheet
-------------------------------------
"You will want to know in what manner to study, note that in the example,
code characters are sent at 13 wpm, with the spacing adjusted for overall
5
wpm speed - study accordingly is recommended. The VEC's in your particular
area can be found at URL: http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/veclist.html
You will note that the sample QSO contains all of the alphabet letters,
numbers 1 thru 0, punctuation such as the period, comma, question mark,
slant bar, and the prosigns BT, AR, and SK. All of these are required by
the
FCC to demonstrate your knowledge of the Morse Code."

--------------------------------------------

End Snip

Note callsigns with "de" is in the sample message.

I don't think Q-Signals are sent in the test. At least the sample does not
have any.

It may vary in your area, so call your VEC
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/veclist.html

Good Luck
73 From the Spurious Noise ';';;';x":.,";"'

Also since Q codes are sent as three separate letters with spaces between,
they count as just plain text and each letter is one character. This is
different from prosigns where the two letters are run together with no space
and thus make an extended character and are counted as if they were two
characters.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dear Neighbor: I too took all of the tests, including commercial, at
FCC Detroit. I too remember one fellow who failed the sending test. I
also remember at least one question on transistors where none of the
provided "answers" were correct! One just had to get into the mind of
the person who wrote the exam and guess what that person was thinking.

I sure remember the pass requirement being 20 times 5 characters (100)
correct in a row (with punctuation and numbers counting as two
characters). The paper you wrote down the code on was collected
immediately after the code stopped.

Perhaps others have a different recollection.
73 Mac N8TT

--
J. Mc Laughlin - Michigan USA
Home:

"Roger Halstead" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 3 Oct 2003 22:25:04 -0400, "J. McLaughlin"
wrote:

Dear Neighbor Roger:
It has been one minute of perfect copy (out of five) since at
least
the early 50s. That was the only receiving standard. One also had
to
demonstrate that one could send CW - you were allowed to bring your
own
key.

Well, my memory ain't what it used to be and that was a long time
back, but I'll swear it was a total of 2 minutes when I took the
Novice, General, and Extra...but I do remember being able to bring
your own key down to Detroit.

Sending may sound simple, but trying to do so when really nervous was
a true challenge. LOL I remember one guy at out session who failed
on the transmitt...although it "seems like" they let him redo the
sending test. which wasn't typical. It seems like I remember a couple
of dropped keys too.

I do remember that "for me" the Advanced was the easiest and took
about 10 minutes. The Extra took about 15 to 20 minutes. BUT I worked
in the field and knew the stuff forward and backwards by then. I
hasten to add that it didn't cover a lot of the stuff now covered. It
had about two questions on any phase of Amateur Radio...Now I'd think
it would be impossible to get one question on every phase.

73

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)

Ok, well, blew the test! I got a case of the nerves. I didn't know it well
enough. I think that if you really know the code then it can naturally be
copied faster than 5wpm. I need to be at the point where I here the
transmission and it is the letter.

I'll try again soon. Thanks for all the help.


73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Ok, well, blew the test! I got a case of the nerves. I didn't know it
well
enough. I think that if you really know the code then it can naturally be
copied faster than 5wpm. I need to be at the point where I here the
transmission and it is the letter.

I'll try again soon. Thanks for all the help.


73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL

Keep at it and you'll get it. We've all been there. Someday you'll look
back and it will be amazing how slow 5wpm seems.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Has happened to many of us -- persevere.

Hope you are studying Farnsworth -- characters are sent at 13 wpm and
spacing is 5 wpm.
This tends to have you hear the character and not count dits and dahs.
Did they send Farnsworth on the test you took ??

Successful formula is FOR MANY -- studying EVERY day for 15 to 30 minutes is
successful. Leaving long periods between study sessions is usually
counter-productive. Studying for long periods at a session - frazzles many a
brain.
One long time code instructor advises; "Most people's problems with the code
stem from trying to learn it too fast without sufficient drilling before
they move on to each new letter. The average person needs about 30 hours of
study and practice on the code to hit 5 wpm. Now this is an average. Some
will take longer and some will take less." So a half hour in the morning, a
half hour in the evening and in a month -- you should have it."

Another advises: Whatever method you use, try to *hear* the code directly as
a letter. IOW, don't try to translate the sound into dot-dash and translate
that into A, just hear the dot-dash and think A. Easier said than done, but
when you master it your receiving speed will increase dramatically."


--
73 From the Spurious Noise ';';;';x":.,";"'
----------------------------------------
"G. Doughty" wrote in message
...
Ok, well, blew the test! I got a case of the nerves. I didn't know it
well
enough. I think that if you really know the code then it can naturally be
copied faster than 5wpm. I need to be at the point where I here the
transmission and it is the letter.

I'll try again soon. Thanks for all the help.


73
G. Doughty
KI4BBL