I made mention of the fact earlier that I was
hearing Morse Code that seemed to
be transmitted so fast that it was almost like it was some other form of
communication. So questions.

Are many people out there able to listen and decode that **** on the fly and
understand it or are they going through
software programs to decode the stuff.

AND

(I know this will sound stupid) but is
there actually someone sitting out there
hammering this stuff out by hand, like in the
old westerns or is it machine made?

AND

if machine made why? Why are people still sending info with Morse Code?
Haven't we
sort of moved beyond that, if you know what I mean??

Zaphod "wishing all a good day"

"Zaphon B." wrote in message
.. .
I made mention of the fact earlier that I was
hearing Morse Code that seemed to
be transmitted so fast that it was almost like it was some other form of
communication. So questions.

Are many people out there able to listen and decode that **** on the fly
and
understand it or are they going through
software programs to decode the stuff.

AND

(I know this will sound stupid) but is
there actually someone sitting out there
hammering this stuff out by hand, like in the
old westerns or is it machine made?

AND

if machine made why? Why are people still sending info with Morse Code?
Haven't we
sort of moved beyond that, if you know what I mean??

Zaphod "wishing all a good day"

You're probably hearing RTTY...

Are many people out there able to listen and decode that **** on the fly and
understand it or are they going through
software programs to decode the stuff.

Software decoding is not the best way to use CW ... it miss copies easily due
to imperfect sending, noise, fading, etc. Copying by ear is by far the most
accurate method. There are MANY hams around the world that are proficient over
30 wpm.


AND

(I know this will sound stupid) but is
there actually someone sitting out there
hammering this stuff out by hand, like in the
old westerns or is it machine made?

Pretty safe to say that most use electronic keyers that will make the dits
and dahs, but hand keys and bugs are still being used.


AND

if machine made why?

Sending with a straight key is tiring after a while. Bugs are better, but one
can send all day (or weekend) with a keyer.

Why are people still sending info with Morse Code?
Haven't we
sort of moved beyond that, if you know what I mean??

NEVER ! :^]

I won't start that discussion here, but personally, I enjoy CW. I find it
relaxing, even at brisk speeds.


Zaphod "wishing all a good day"


and to you !

73,

jw
K9RZZ

On Sat, 22 May 2004 11:06:28 -0500, "Zaphon B."
wrote:

I made mention of the fact earlier that I was
hearing Morse Code that seemed to
be transmitted so fast that it was almost like it was some other form of
communication. So questions.

Are many people out there able to listen and decode that **** on the fly and
understand it or are they going through
software programs to decode the stuff.


Both




(I know this will sound stupid) but is
there actually someone sitting out there
hammering this stuff out by hand, like in the
old westerns or is it machine made?


Both



if machine made why? Why are people still sending info with Morse Code?
Haven't we
sort of moved beyond that, if you know what I mean??

Zaphod "wishing all a good day"



Some people will argue that we have. I don't think we have personally.
That is only my opinion. CW is still the most efficient form
communication. If i'm not mistaken, it requires less bandwith than
anything else.

Tracy

Zaphon B. wrote:

I made mention of the fact earlier that I was
hearing Morse Code that seemed to
be transmitted so fast that it was almost like it was some other form of
communication. So questions.

Are many people out there able to listen and decode that **** on the fly and
understand it or are they going through
software programs to decode the stuff.

AND

(I know this will sound stupid) but is
there actually someone sitting out there
hammering this stuff out by hand, like in the
old westerns or is it machine made?

AND

if machine made why? Why are people still sending info with Morse Code?
Haven't we
sort of moved beyond that, if you know what I mean??

Zaphod "wishing all a good day"


Not much Morse code being used now, except for on the ham bands. Some
hams can copy pretty fast, 40-50 wpm or so. I once knew a WWII Navy
radio op who could copy 60+ and hold a conversation with someone at the
same time and never miss a word of either conversation.

"Mike Terry" wrote in message news:...

Its an abbreviation for radio teletypewriter.



And its often pronounced "RIT-ty"

"Zaphon B." wrote:

| Are many people out there able to listen and decode that **** on the fly
and
| understand it or are they going through
| software programs to decode the stuff.

Do a google search for "G4FON." It's software that will
teach you how to decode that ****.

And, yes, Morse code (Or CW, as hams like to call it),
is still extremely popular, primarily with amateur radio
operators, because of its ability to punch through interference.

I have been sharpening my skills, and can now copy
to near - perfection at 25 words per minute (Which is,
I think, considered fairly proficient).

73,

Steve Lawrence
KAØPMD
Burnsville, Minnesota

(NOTE: My email address has only one "dot."
You'll have to edit out the one between the "7"
and the "3" in my email address if you wish to
reply via email)


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I have been sharpening my skills, and can now copy
to near - perfection at 25 words per minute (Which is,
I think, considered fairly proficient).


FAIRLY proficient??? Wowsers. I rag chew at 10-15,
can get the 'QSL details' at 20, and when ya hit 25 all
I can get is CQ and the Callsign, and immediately fire
back with 'PSE QRS 15 WPM' !!

Good work - keep CW alive on the bands. Teach kids.
If we keep it alive, it'll not die with our generation

JOE

CW, besides being a satisfying skill as is any art, is a great backup mode of
communication. After all, when a keyboard or microphone breaks, one can still
communicate, if only by flipping a power switch on and off or striking two
wires together. And those I have done on several occasions to keep
communications going.

To get my Second Class Radiotelegraph license years ago, I had to send 16 coded
groups per minute and 20 words per minute -- using a hand key!

I had to literally slap the key to get the 20 wpm. The FCC examiner didn't even
blink an eye.

When going for Extra Class ham, one could use a bug for the 20 wpm.

By the way, my ex-WU op mom taught me wire Morse about ten years before I
learned the radiotelegraph code (at age 17).

73,
Bill, K5BY
&
T2-GB-040061

"JOE" wrote in message
news.com...
|
| I have been sharpening my skills, and can now copy
| to near - perfection at 25 words per minute (Which is,
| I think, considered fairly proficient).
|
|
| FAIRLY proficient??? Wowsers. I rag chew at 10-15,
| can get the 'QSL details' at 20, and when ya hit 25 all
| I can get is CQ and the Callsign, and immediately fire
| back with 'PSE QRS 15 WPM' !!
|
| Good work - keep CW alive on the bands. Teach kids.
| If we keep it alive, it'll not die with our generation
|
| JOE

It's funny you mention kids, Joe - they seem to be the most
fascinated with CW. Getting to 25 was simple - I spent a half
hour a day, and it took about five weeks. It's funny, getting
over that hump at 15 wpm just sort of happened, and I
started recognizing words instead of just letters.

73,

Steve Lawrence
KA0PMD
Burnsville, Minnesota


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