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Author Topic: Why "EN" for Received?  (Read 1413 times)

KB1NO

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Why "EN" for Received?
« on: August 31, 2021, 07:54:08 AM »

I'm curious about why it is common on CW to hear "EN" instead of "R" for "Received."
Does anyone know the historical reason?
Thanks,
John,  KB1NO

 
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W0CKI

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2021, 08:01:03 AM »

Bad sending perhaps? dit=e dah dit=n dit dah dit =r right??
Gary W0CKI
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W9SA

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2021, 08:04:17 AM »

I was told it was R.  Sometimes the sender would draw out the dash a bit.  When I send it it's R.  Been doing that since 1971.
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K7JQ

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2021, 09:13:27 AM »

Just a way to emphasize "R", acknowledging "Received". Better and quicker than sending "QSL".
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K3XR

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2021, 09:40:45 AM »

It's 'R'.  Maybe a sloppy one but still 'R'.
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K0UA

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2021, 11:18:37 AM »

Some people just enjoy bad sending.  If you don't believe it just listen around for a few days on the CW segments.

Some people believe it gives them "character" of personal "flavor". Some describe it as "playing music" and therefore open to their personal interpretation of that "music".  You would never tell a musician that his playing was incorrect, as music is open for interpretation.

I have always considered it just bad sending, and making copy more difficult on the other end.

As an example I often hear dah di dah dit   dit dah di dah . sent and meant to be a CQ. Over and over again with the Q murdered as a dit dah di dah.  Why they do this I don't know, but an awful lot of guy send CQ in this manner. Lots of other examples, including MANY examples of poor bug sending.
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73  James K0UA

AE0Q

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2021, 12:16:57 PM »

Some people just enjoy bad sending.  If you don't believe it just listen around for a few days on the CW segments.

There are some terrible fists on 20m CW lately, either bugs or straight keys.  Maybe side swipers, who can tell...  I'd rather read a book than answer their CQ, it's no fun listening to crappy Morse.

I've read that the original "banana boat swing", emphasizing the dashes with longer than necessary length, came about because at the United Fruit Company there was one guy that taught all the United Fruit ships radio operators how to send Morse (spark in those days).  He sent that way so they ALL learned it, and the coastal Navy and commercial stations could all tell them apart from other shipping by the "swing".  The United Fruit Co adopted radio on their many ships early because it helped schedule port calls and prevent spoiled produce..

http://www.9h1mrl.org/ukrae/arc_cd/extra/morse/html/c15.htm

Glenn AE0Q
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K7JQ

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2021, 12:33:07 PM »

There have always been terrible fists on CW. That's why the ham radio gods developed the electronic keyer. Even then, running letters and words together without proper spacing, or poor adjustment of dit to dah ratio, makes copying difficult. And then there's keyboard keying....
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AE5SB

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2021, 12:50:28 PM »

and then there is the old guy trying to get his/her speed back up :)
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AA4Q

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2021, 01:04:09 PM »

I'm going to suggest that most often when we hear dit--dahdit for "R" (received) it is not "sloppy" sending or a beginner accidentally getting the element spacing wrong, but rather a deliberate (even if learned and now subconcious) change in "pronunciation" of the letter for emphasis. The same op would likely send every other R in the QSO with the standard element spacing.

kinda like one might say "sho nuff" instead of "sure enough" in speech.

AA4Q
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K0UA

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2021, 03:04:48 PM »

Yes, sending EN in that manner for an R is a learned response. The operator heard that from another station, and thought it sounded cool and started doing it. Conscious or subconscious , either way it is now part of his sending "style".  Just like sending dit dah di dah for a Q when sending CQ. Once bad habits are learned and ingrained into the mind, it is very difficult to get rid of.
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73  James K0UA

KC0W

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2021, 07:45:32 PM »

 Those who can copy poorly sent CW are true Morse code enthusiasts.

                                     Tom KH0/KC0W 
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K0UA

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2021, 08:47:56 PM »

Those who can copy poorly sent CW are true Morse code enthusiasts.

                                     Tom KH0/KC0W

Well, that leaves me out.
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73  James K0UA

G4AON

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2021, 04:08:21 AM »

The drawn out "dit dah dit" dates from the days of hand keys, commercial operators often sent it slowly, although usually with a longer dash (as opposed to longer spacing) if my memory serves me correctly from back in 1972 when I was a marine radio operator.

Poorly sent Morse was occasionally commented on with a "QLF", which means "try your left foot".

73 Dave
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OZ8AGB

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Re: Why "EN" for Received?
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2021, 04:32:19 AM »

Yes it is IMHO a very bad habit that even ops that otherwise send nicely and legible use. Being new to CW it took me some time before I realized what it meant.

Not really being a a good example for ops new to CW.
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