CQrp

Digital Communications Page

A wealth of information on CW, Keys, and Kitbuilding

What do you think of when you think of Digital Communications?

Packet? Hah! Gotcha! I'll bet most operators do think of packet. Digital communications, however, has been around for as long as Ham Radio has been around.

Case and Point:

CW - Morse Code! The only form of Digital Communication that you can comprehend with nothing more than your mind. Yes, some of us have heard of the rare operator who claims that he can decipher RTTY in his head, but CW is really the only digital mode that thousands of hams can actually do without the aid of a computer! Think about that.

The members of CQrp share a deep appreciation for the code. Morse is, after all, a very reliable form of communication. It is universally accepted by hams throughout the world as a recognised mode of HF communications. The members of CQrp will not debate weather the code should or should not be part of the modern HF world. Instead, we would like to share our love of CW with visitors to the web site.

If you have dabbled in RTTY, Pactor, G-tor, Clover, or Amtor, good for you! They are certainly very exciting modes of operation, and represent a very bright future for amateur radio. But, if you have thrown your key into a drawer to gather some dust- please read on!

Morse code is still a viable mode of communication. Here's why!

Have you ever had the pleasure of taking a box of parts, assembling them, testing them, and putting them on the air? If so, you already understand the pleasure of kitbuilding. There are many fine quality kits availble for the QRP enthusiast! Links to these sites can be found through this QRP KIT LINK that will take you to the CQrp Hot Links Page. Companies like TenTec, Wilderness Radio, Oak Hills Research, and S&S Engineering (just to name a few!) offer superior kits at a reasonable price. The beauty of this is that by utilizing MORSE CODE as THE ONLY MODE that most of the kits were designed for, you have a kit that is fairly easy to assemble, and VERY RELIABLE, STURDY, and EFFICIENT!

The Oak Hills 400 Multiband QRP Rig

CW is a very reliable mode when QRN is present, or when the bands seem to be in poor shape. CW also lends itself well to field day operations, backpacking, camping, traveling, and other light luggage applications. Many CQrp members take their rigs with them on trips (business or pleasure), and operate from hotels, parks, and other areas. It is amazing what can be done with some random wire, a power supply (battery or other), your rig and a key.

If you have never had the pleasure of "homebrewing" your own equipment, CW kits are a fantastic place to start. Imagine the pride you will feel when you make that first contact (DX or otherwise!) and tell the other operator, "RIG HR IS HOMEBREW".

The members of CQrp encourage you to discover kitbuilding for yourself - or re-discover it if you have built before. It is a great part of our hobby.

-.-. The Love of Morse Code . - -

As a second language to many hams, morse is more than a form of communication. It is a passion. An art form. A masterpiece!

So intense is the love affair with CW, that many hams actually brag "I do not even own a microphone!". Wow, that is a love affair. Why is this? Simple really. Morse is special. It is a way of communicating that links you to a world of digital dits and dahs that magically form words, sentences, thoughts, and expressions in your head. Those that truly love morse understand this. CW ties you to a family of other hams that share your passion for CW. You laugh with this family. Are sad with this family. Live and learn with this family of fellow CW enthusiasts. Morse crosses all language barriers and cultures. It is unique.

There was a story in one of the Amateur Radio Magazines regarding a QSO tht an operator had in CW with another ham. The author stated that "he could tell by the urgency in the CQ that something was wrong with the sender". As the QSO progressed, the author found out that the sender was transmitting on a mobile rig from outside a hospital where a family member was undergoing a serious operation, and just needed someone to "talk to". Wow, that is powerful.

KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS KEYS

What can we say! Keys are important to CW operators! Weather you are just starting our, or have been poinding brass for decades, keys are usually the heart of the passion for CW operators.

Straight Keys-

Wow, pounding brass! The straight key really brings this thought to fruision. The ARRL sponsers an event called Straight Key Night on January 1st. Hundereds of novice and veteran operators bring out their best and brightest straight keys for this event. Hundreds more simply put a straight key on the air! What a beautiful sound it is to hear brass pounding. Wow, you can really hear the difference in fists with a straight key. Timing is everything. There is also something purist about the straight key thing. Many musically inclined operators say they actually like a straight key, because it reminds them of keeping tempo on a musical instrument. Whatever the reason, a straight key is certainly a great addition to any CW enthusiast's shack. Keys from Kent Morse, Bencher, Nye Viking, and many maany others are still pounding away - brass to brass - daily. Why not try your fist tonight? The slower tempo (by force really, I mean, can anyone actually send coherantly at 35 words per minute on a straight key?), distinct fists, and varied rhythm will probably enchant you!

Bugs-

Oh Boy! Here come the grisstled operators, hard core, rattling away with 50 WPM dots, and 10 WPM dashes! That is a stereotype that really should be broken. Sure, there are operators that have "challenging fists" on bugs. But, when you hear a skilled operator working the "swing" of his bug, the CW can become absolutely beautiful. Almost enchanting. Bugs are capable of beautiful morse, and in the hands of the skilled, bugs are a very sweet sounding cw instrument. Practice makes perfect with bugs. There are many books regarding the collection of keys, and Bugs always have a prominent place in these books. For the Iambic Operator, a bug can seem archaic. To a CW enthusiast, a bug is a challenge to "PLAY". Yep - Play! Like a musical instrument. Work the swing, get the tempo right, and you have it! You have a very fine instrument that is producing outstanding CW. Vibroplex still manufactures both the original "vibrating arm" bug and the newer Vibrokeyer (to be used with a modern keyer). If your interest is in bugs, we thank you for keeping the "swing" alive. If you are becomming interested in bugs, give them a try. You may like what you hear (smile).

Iambic Paddles-

Isn't modern technology wonderful?

The same technology that brought us Pactor, Amtor, and the like also brought us a way to make precise morse code by use of the computer. The microchip has made CW a breeze. Iambic keys and keyers are arguably the most efficient "key method" of producing morse.

With two seperate levers, and a keyer to link the two, an operator can really let the sparks fly at speeds that rival computer generated morse (assuming you can not type faster than 70 wpm - hi hi).

The operator uses one paddle to key dits, and another to key dahs. By squeezing both paddles together at the same time, you get alternating dits and dahs. Depending on which paddle was "touched" first depends on where the alternation started. This really comes in handy when you are keying what Iambic operators refer to as "the Iambic seven". The letters C Q F L K R and Y. These letters really lend themselves well to Iambic keying because of the alternating dits and dahs in their morse identity. For example, if you were to key the letter C on an Iambic paddle, and assuming you are using the thumb for dits, and the index finger for dahs (most do), then you would begin as such. Start the letter by hitting the index finger paddle slightly before you close the thumb paddle. this starts the alternate progression of dits and dahs with a DAH. You simply keep both paddles squeezed until you hear the final dit and then quickly release both paddles. YOU HAVE A "C" in morse code! How you end the alternate progression is a matter of practice, and a matter of weather you are using mode "A" keying, or mode "B".

There are two distinct types of keying on Iambic paddles.

Mode A (Curtis Mode A)-

This mode is what some refer to as the "you get what you asked for" mode.

Let's look at it this way.

This mode requires a full hang on the paddles to get the final alternate in a series of alternating dits and dahs. For example, in that "C" progression that we just spoke about, if you let go of the key before the keyer started the FINAL DIT, you would not get the final dit. You would end up with a "K" instead of a "C". You need to hang in there with your thumb until you hear that final dit start, and then rapidly let go fo both keys. As we said, it is a "you get what you asked for" mode of Iambic keying.

Mode B (Curtis Mode B)-

This mode is what some refer to as the "add the alternate" mode.

Let's look at it this way.

This mode adds the alternate dit or dah to your alternate progression. For example, when you are making that "C", with Mode B keying, you can let go of the paddles as the keyer is finishing up on the final DAH, and the keyer will automatically ADD THE ALTERNATE DIT for you automatically. This comes in very handy when true speed is necessary, and many feel this is the more "automatic" of the two modes. It can cause problems though if you are trained on one form of keying, and you switch to another.

One CQrp member is trained on Iambic mode B. When he visits the shack of another member who prefers mode A, the mode B operator has great difficulty keying with the mode A paddle. Instead of a K, he gets an N. Instead of an R, he gets an A. Why? Because he is expecting the keyer to add the alternate dit or dah for him automatically, and it does not in Mode A. Whew, what a mess! Instead of CQ, he gets KG.

Which mode is for you? Tough question. Try them both. Most keyers have provisions for both modes. Pick one that is most comfortable to you , and stick with it! Iambic can be one of the most enjoyable CW keying experiences!

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