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Author Topic: Paying homage to CW and our past  (Read 769 times)

N8NK

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    • N8NK QRP
Paying homage to CW and our past
« on: May 15, 2021, 04:20:54 PM »

CW has enriched my life in fantastic ways, starting at the age of 14.
I'm now 62 - and love CW more than ever. I just can't imagine my life without CW! In an attempt to give something back to the ham community before my homebrewing on Earth is done, I created a tribute that I call 'Paying my Respects to CW and our Past'. Care to watch?  https://youtu.be/c60mLfHOhLE
Chuck, N8NK
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K6SDW

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2021, 06:34:56 PM »

Nicely done! Licensed as a Novice in 1965 I began my ham radio career operating CW and loved it. Unfortunately, at age 16, I was overwhelmed by the fumes....gasoline and perfume which derailed my budding ham career...HI HI

73 and GL/ed
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ZL1BBW

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2021, 11:57:19 PM »

CW has enriched my life in fantastic ways, starting at the age of 14.
I'm now 62 - and love CW more than ever. I just can't imagine my life without CW! In an attempt to give something back to the ham community before my homebrewing on Earth is done, I created a tribute that I call 'Paying my Respects to CW and our Past'. Care to watch?  https://youtu.be/c60mLfHOhLE
Chuck, N8NK

The double paddle at 1:15 who makes them, it looks neat.
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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.

N8NK

  • Posts: 179
    • N8NK QRP
Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2021, 05:54:21 AM »

CW has enriched my life in fantastic ways, starting at the age of 14.
I'm now 62 - and love CW more than ever. I just can't imagine my life without CW! In an attempt to give something back to the ham community before my homebrewing on Earth is done, I created a tribute that I call 'Paying my Respects to CW and our Past'. Care to watch?  https://youtu.be/c60mLfHOhLE
Chuck, N8NK

The double paddle at 1:15 who makes them, it looks neat.

That's a good question... i 'think' that gorgeous paddle is made by Kent. Not usre though.
Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who watched that video of mine. It means so much to me! It's not easy making a decent quality vid. I'm still learning. Be well all and let's enjoy our summer!
73
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W2JJV

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2021, 09:52:43 AM »

Thanks for the memories.  That picture at 1:51---All of us of a certain age have a similar picture of us sitting in front of our rigs looking so cool as hams in the '50's and 60's.  Someday perhaps you might put out a call for us to send you a scan of "that snapshot" and you could create a video. 
David
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NI0C

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2021, 10:04:05 AM »

Very nice montage of photos, thanks for putting these together!
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K8AXW

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2021, 10:09:04 AM »

N8NK...

Thank you for the video and your comments about CW.  Many hams won't understand the significance about being able to carry on a conversation using Morse code.

Although learning the code was a desire as a very young teen, it wasn't to be until the Army trained me as an intercept operator that I was able to master the art of understanding Morse.  I finally achieved my goal of getting my ham ticket in 1956.  From then on, when I wasn't on the job I was on the air, mostly CW.

Then at age 83 Parkinson's took CW and typing from me.  With that ham radio lost it's luster.

So, boys & girls, enjoy while you can.  Thanks for the vid and the memories.

73

Al - K8AXW
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A Pessimist is Never Disappointed!

AE5X

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2021, 07:32:06 AM »

I made a similar video a few years ago when I bought a 1914 Blue Racer. The video is not so much about the key but about things that were going on in the world when the key was tapping out its first characters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX2BbM1pDng
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KM1H

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2021, 08:42:00 AM »

Quote
Nicely done! Licensed as a Novice in 1965 I began my ham radio career operating CW and loved it. Unfortunately, at age 16, I was overwhelmed by the fumes....gasoline and perfume which derailed my budding ham career...HI HI

73 and GL/ed

Novice here in 1955, 30 wpm certificate in 57, Always been a gearhead as a parallel interest from rods & customs, drags, antiques, etc, Had several bikes in my silly years, quit before I got seriously hurt; 47 Indian Chief, and 54 Ariel Square 4 among them. Last was a 72 Norton Commando but sold when transferred back to NH from Chicago as car drivers in MA in particular were total idiots.

Perfume could be overwhelming, I preferred them with soap and water to start with;D

Carl

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N8AUC

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2021, 06:11:47 AM »

In 1977, I had to learn morse to get my Novice ticket. I had no clue how to do that. So I guessed, and took my best shot.

By today's standards, I did everything the wrong way. All I had was an old Hallicrafters receiver, a printed chart of the code, a home made code practice oscillator, and a really cheap straight key I got from Radio Shack. But I heard those signals, knew what they were, and I REALLY wanted to know what those guys were saying. So I'd search the bands for the slowest speed signals I could find, literally write down the dots and dashes, then decode what I'd heard using that chart. I'd then write down replies, and send it using the code practice oscillator. After doing that for a while, eventually I didn't need the chart anymore. Gradually I got faster, and it got easier. If I wasn't scrounging parts to build my first transmitter from scratch, I was playing with that receiver, "working" on learning the code. I did this for about 9 months. But hey, it worked for me. I finally got up the nerve to actually take the test, and I earned my ticket, passing the test in April 1978 on the first try.

The guy who administered my exam, who ultimately became my elmer, was rather surprised that I had solid copy on everything, and from what he said, I didn't seem to work very hard to copy it. He asked how fast I could go, and I had no clue. So after telling me I passed the test, he asked if he could gradually increase the speed to see how fast I could go. I agreed, and he began. It wasn't until he got up around 10 WPM that I began to miss characters.

13 weeks later, I got an envelope in the mail from the FCC that contained my shiny new Novice ticket. I dropped everything, left my dad's lawn mower in the front yard, and immediately went in to fire up my rig for the first time, and proceeded to make my first contact on 40 meters. Yes, I had sweaty palms, butterflies in my stomach, very nervous. But  I actually made contact with WD9DOA in Illinois (still have his QSL card). Big DX for a skinny young kid in Ohio! It was big fun being able to actually talk back to those signals I'd been listening to for so long. I gradually began to enjoy using the code, and that developed over time into a genuine love for CW.

Now 43 years later, it's exactly as others have said. I find it hard to imagine life without CW.

73 de N8AUC
Eric
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K8AXW

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #10 on: July 04, 2021, 10:33:19 AM »

Eric,

Beautiful story!  A perfect example of knowing what you want and was willing to do whatever was necessary to get it! 

73

Al - K8AXW
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K3TN

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2021, 02:35:10 AM »

If you are ever in the upstate New York Finger Lakes area, check out the Antique Wireless Association museum in Bloomfield NY.

My wife and I had traveled to Pittsford to do some biking on the Erie Canal trail and on the way back I worked in a stop at the museum. Because of the pandemic, you had to make an appointment for a free guided tour but on July 10th it goes back to normal operation.

Many sections around telegraphy and CW, cool old keys and other equipment to look at as well as informative displays. Other sections on broadcast radio, TV, cellular - every kind of wireless radio. Even the original gear from the Delano VOA station.
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John K3TN

W9AC

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Re: Paying homage to CW and our past
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2021, 07:48:27 PM »

I made a similar video a few years ago when I bought a 1914 Blue Racer. The video is not so much about the key but about things that were going on in the world when the key was tapping out its first characters:

That's a very nice "B" serial numbered Blue Racer.  They generally command a very high price relative to other Blue Racers.  I have three from about 1916, each have a square frame in the 56K serial number range with a 253 Broadway, New York address.  Although very nice and old, they're not as scarce and valuable as yours.   

Paul, W9AC
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