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Author Topic: Join SKCC or Not?  (Read 20078 times)

VE3HIX

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #15 on: April 06, 2018, 04:48:31 PM »

I am probably wrong here, but I believe you can use a paddle when the keyer is in the Bug mode, that is, with automatic dits and manual dahs. You still need perfect mechanical timing to do this, just like using a bug. I don't know whether all keyers can do this, but several can when using a dual or single lever paddle.

Cheers,
Bob
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BOOMBA

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #16 on: April 06, 2018, 05:09:25 PM »

Welcome to the SKCC's Beginner's Corner, even if you've been licensed for a while! We've pulled together some basic information to help you join the fun of using manually generated Morse code. Feel free to scroll through this page sequentially. Or use the mini menu at the bottom of this introduction to skip to the section that looks like it will answer an immediate question.

Over time, you may find you'd like to try other club-approved types of non-electronic keys. These include semi-automatic keys known as "bugs" or single-lever, side-to-side keys known as side-swippers or cooties. But for now, we'll assume you've picked up a classic straight key, have learned basic letters and numbers**, and are ready to go.
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W6MK

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #17 on: April 06, 2018, 06:38:00 PM »

I am probably wrong here, but I believe you can use a paddle when the keyer is in the Bug mode, that is, with automatic dits and manual dahs.

You are probably wrong, but since SKCC is on the honor system and a bug mode keyer will allow those little rhythmic variations that can add so much to your sound, you should feel free.

There is no jail for you.
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W1BR

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #18 on: April 10, 2018, 11:55:16 AM »

No camel back keys allowed!!! Straight keys only!
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K8KZ

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #19 on: April 10, 2018, 12:32:10 PM »

Sorry, I just can't bring myself to go back to a straight key.  Paddles and electronic keyer just work to well for me.

Mark
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K8AXW

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #20 on: April 10, 2018, 10:37:32 PM »

KZ: AMEN!  While I can still drive a straight stick auto I have no desire to do so!  Same with my keyer vs. the straight key! 
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A Pessimist is Never Disappointed!

KE4OH

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #21 on: April 11, 2018, 09:39:49 AM »

Sorry, I just can't bring myself to go back to a straight key.  Paddles and electronic keyer just work to well for me.

Mark

No big deal. SKCC just isn't for you.  If you ever change your mind, it will probably still be around.

73 de KE4OH
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73 de Steve KE4OH

K8AXW

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #22 on: April 11, 2018, 10:47:06 AM »

Quote
SKCC just isn't for you.

This hold true to any organization!  If you wish to join you should expect to play the game as they set it up.  Otherwise, look for something else.

(This is what really pisses me off about "city folk" moving into my semi-primitive area because they want to get away from whatever they didn't like about city life.  The first thing they want to do is transform my semi-primitive habitat into what they just left!) Just sayin!
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OZ8AGB

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #23 on: April 11, 2018, 11:40:26 AM »

Sorry, I just can't bring myself to go back to a straight key.  Paddles and electronic keyer just work to well for me.

Mark

And I recently bought a Begali Spark just for the challenge.  :)
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K8AXW

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #24 on: April 11, 2018, 05:44:59 PM »

AGB:  You've been ruined!   ;D
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OZ8AGB

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #25 on: April 12, 2018, 02:23:15 AM »

No. It is one of the "cheaper" ones. Only 129 Euros. And it is actually a very nice key.
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K4PDM

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #26 on: April 12, 2018, 03:10:22 AM »

I joined with the intention of finding my straight key from my Novice days and making some contacts, but I have not done that yet.

However, I can't see that me being a non-active member is hurting either myself or the club.

When another member sends their number, I just say that I'm sorry but I'm using a keyer.
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KE4OH

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #27 on: April 12, 2018, 05:01:28 AM »

I joined with the intention of finding my straight key from my Novice days and making some contacts, but I have not done that yet.

However, I can't see that me being a non-active member is hurting either myself or the club.

When another member sends their number, I just say that I'm sorry but I'm using a keyer.

Suppose you had your straight key wired up and ready to go. Then if someone asked for your number, you could just send the number with the straight key. Just a thought.

73 de Steve KE4OH dit dit
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73 de Steve KE4OH

KF0QS

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #28 on: April 14, 2018, 11:46:22 AM »

I prefer using a paddle but I did join SKCC quite some time ago.  I have found my membership useful since it's sometimes hard to find someone on the air for a QSO, and the SKCC folks are almost always there.  I make several SKCC QSO's every week and pass out my number and record their number.  I likely have enough numbers to qualify for one of the SKCC awards, but am just too lazy (right now) to make it happen.  That doesn't mean I won't in the future.  Generally, like most CW ops, SKCC members are courteous and easy to copy.

My K3s has separate jacks on the back so I have both a paddle and a straight key (and I can plug a bug into the straight key jack, if I want) available instantly.  Sometimes, SKCC folks answer my CQ, even though I'm using the paddle (I find this out when they start sending an SKCC number, even though I've not specifically called CQ for SKCC), and I switch to the straight key in order to make the QSO legitimate under the club's rules.

I really don't see or hear from FISTS members on the air (I have a FISTS number, and indeed, have a FISTS Century Club number for contacting 100 other FISTS members).  I will frequently look up my QSO partners on QRZ.com, and will find that they are a FISTS member after the QSO.

Is there somewhere that FISTS folks congregate?  I certainly haven't run across it.  I'd certainly pony up the minimal annual membership dues if I could find more FISTS people on the air that were specifically trying to contact other FISTS members.  I know they have activity days, but I can't recall the last time that I heard someone call "CQ FISTS".  Usually, when I'm calling CQ, I'll talk to anyone!   ;)  So maybe I'm part of the problem? 
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KG7WGX

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #29 on: April 15, 2018, 04:52:52 AM »

Quote
Is there somewhere that FISTS folks congregate?

I'm a new FISTS member and I hope to find some folks who like ragchewing there.  I found this on the FISTS North America site -

http://fistsna.org/operating.html#callfreq



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