Revised address:

http://mewcomm.typepad.com/photos/kenwood_tm0d710_aprs_radi/index.html

Link repaired.
http://www.wa4d.net
Thanks

http://mewcomm.typepad.com/wa4dnet/2008/04/lets-try-this-a.html

Bruce.....

Relax.  I didn't say "Elmers are no longer qualified to Elmer"  

What I did say is that,  "It's time to set qualifications for being an elmer since there are none."

Yes, I recognize that there are many hams who go out of their way to assist others. Noted.

Are "Elmers" so fragile that to consider a change to the model is a threat?

There is a generational shift taking place in amateur radio. At the same time the telecommunications industry and the net are moving at a blistering pace. Yet amateur radio by and large, remains tradition bound. To question tradition is met with immediate opposition.

Ham radio is like a lazy river on a hot summer afternoon in the deep south. Unperturbed and unchanging.

To me, all facets of ham radio should be questioned and indeed challenged for relevance.  Lest the hobby accelerate it's descent into insignificance.

mike
wa4d.net

Thank You Bob W7ETA.....you're correct! A question is in order and indeed the purpose of this area.

New Hams!  

Were you a rock climbing enthusiast would you not require some credentials and background review of your teacher before taking their advice?

Would you not want to learn sailing from a qualified instructor?

Would you waste money on a hobby by taking information from anyone who declared they were a subject matter authority yet had no verifiable documentation to support such claims?

Ham radio is not a place where you will find people who know your music or culture. I have never heard a discussion of  X-Box, film, pop-culture or the net based technology that your generation is drenched with. Hams are usually your Dad's age or older and will often treat you in a paternal manner.

New hams or those interested should be aware of a generational change taking place in ham radio. The old guard is being rolled over by the blistering pace of technological change and the new generation (YOU)  are said to be indifferent to the technological past. (As you know the dropping of CW still rankles old timers.)

The "Elmer" concept was created many decades ago. This Norman Rockwell  image was an old man and a radio helping the youngster. It is an obsolete model.  Further, there are no standards necessary to become an Elmer. No certifications. No oversight. Just anyone can declare themselves a ham mentor.

New hams should be wary of wasting their time with these would be experts. And make sure your parents check out these men that want to "help" you.

A Blog posting here calls for Abolishing the Elmer Concept.  See it before you use an Elmer
http://mewcomm.typepad.com/wa4dnet/2008/01/end-the-elmer-c.html

Ham radio loves the Norman Rockwell image of an old man helping the youngster. It is a tired myth promoted by the old guard. In the digital era it is not applicable.

A blog entry calling for abolishing the old elmer concept and a proposal for a new concept here.

http://mewcomm.typepad.com/wa4dnet/2008/01/end-the-elmer-c.html

It's time to set qualifications for being an elmer since there are none. Anyone can just claim to be an elmer. It's time to retire this quaint relic.

Kenwood has made Echolink integration near "plug n play" with the 2007 release of the TM-V71A and TM-D710.  Further their inclusion of Echolink Control codes with their own distinct memory assignments is a big plus. (At first you say so what? Then after you use it, the utility becomes very clear!)

If you want to use Echolink often and seamlessly these rigs make it easy---- No 3rd party integration needed. The radio, a couple of cables and a PC connected to the net. You're good to go.

That said, it's not an entirely smoothe ride to set-up. My configuration is Radio to PC with NO PC mic or PC PTT capability. It took some experimenting and deviation from the Echolink suggested set up.

Some info below.

Have fun.

 
TM-V71 Echolink CONFIG HERE
http://mewcomm.typepad.com/wa4dnet/tmv71-echolinksoundcard-c.html

WA4D Echolink Set up HERE
http://mewcomm.typepad.com/wa4dnet/2007/12/echolink-node.html

Click ENTER Gallery at the bottom of the Link Page

http://mewcomm.typepad.com/photos/wa4d_aprs_echolink_rigs/index.html

Curt...

You're going to be barraged with all sorts of suggestions. Use this program or that method or no method. All kinds of learning models will rain down upon your query. Some valid. Some not.

Your desire for a "reliable and quick method" of getting to 25WPM+ is the same desire I have. I'm copying random characters (22wpm) at 90% accuracy and normal text (25 wpm) with 80% accuracy.


I'm using "Just Learn Morse" which will spit out a statistical analysis of your copy on completion.
The program does not lie. It does not cut you slack. It does not allow for  exceptions. It will tell you exactly how many words per minute you copy and what percentage of the text you copied correctly and exactly what letters/numbers/signs you erred on and how many times.  It is  brutal in it's reality. Yet rewarding as you advance.

Give it a look.
http://justlearnmorsecode.com/

I'll testify to this method being "reliable" as for "quick"?.....depends on how you define it. I'm giving it 15-20 minutes a day, 5-6 days a week. (Yes, sometimes 3-4 days a week and then I notice the drop)....so the "quick" part is really up to you and your consistency.

Either way, it's fun.

Cheers,
mike
wa4d

Recently 3 “new” hams have begun threads stating a curiosity about CW.

KI4RHC  Sept. 11, KE7NDD Oct. 15, KE7LGD  Oct. 27.

They ask all the questions that often pop up when pursuing a new mode. What is the “BEST” way to learn?  Enthusiastic CW veterans put forth their favorite learning vehicle. (Mine is the “Just Learn Morse” program).

But we seldom hear back from these people or of their journey. I suggest to you that most CW inquirers never become accomplished at Morse Code. Not because they are not capable. Rather learning morse code requires a commitment that  few see as worth the effort.  And since there is no metric to measure their achievement, we’ll never know.  

That aside, the one area that is too seldom emphasized is the  necessary trait of DISCIPLINE.  It has zero to do with radios and cw devices. It comes from within.  At some point one must adopt a methodology that works for them and move on. I will resist the urge to use the cliché, “talk is cheap”….and just say, get on with it.

Talk less, practice more.

Mike
WA4D

The new TM-V71A has a variable audio adjustment. Low / Medium and High. This has a direct affect on the deviation of the radio and the relative "loudness". You have to "close" talk the mic to achieve adequate loudness.

Guess what? This Low/Med/High setting is NOT part of the radio's menu functionality. You must use Kenwood's Programming software MCP-2a to change the mic sensitivity.

From the open prgoram

EDIT....Menu.....Select Transmit/Receive

In the *Transmit/Receive* dialogue box, change the microphone sensitivity to the desired setting. (High/Medium/Low).

CLOSE the dialogue box and WRITE back to the Xcvr.

My radio arrived with the setting at the medium level. Some stations said that my audio levels were "clean but low". I hung the rig across a scope and the deviation read +3.8khz and -4.0khz (in the Medium senstivity setting and extreme close talking of the mic). Once the setting was changed to high, the deviation swing was in excess of 4khz both ways and "louder". Since then the reports have been normal. "Sounds fine".

The puzzling thing about this is, how could Kenwood NOT provide for Sensitivity level settings on the radio proper? It can only be done via the programming software. Maybe I missed it. But nowhere can I find in the manual or menu listings a setting for adjusting mic sensitivity.

Kenwood rarely misses one like this.


mike whatley
wa4d  
       

To learn and appreciate CW ---- the radio is one of the last things you need to think about.  

Go to http://justlearnmorsecode.com/ and download the app.  Then block out 20 min. a day 5-6 days a week. And go to Amazon and order this book.
http://www.amazon.com/Morse-Code-Essential-Engineering-Operating/dp/0872590356/ref=tag_prf_item_edpp_ttl/102-4398445-8437725

Set a goal. Say 13 WPM by Christmas. Yes you can do it!!  Try some on air QSO's after you hit 10 wpm. (you rarely hear less than 10 wpm anymore since the elimination of the Novice 5WPM requirement and dedicated band segments)


See if you can work W9ZN. One of the giants of "straight key" CW.  He's active on HF, he's a legend and has a fist so pure it's like poetry to listen to.

Don't stop. Don't look back. It'll be a blast. You'll never regret picking up this 19th century mode of communication.