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Moris code I'm pretty sure

Hi Frosty. As you might know, this is Morse Code or "CW" (continuous wave) is the technical term. We are doing this over amateur (or "ham) radio. I'm in Nebraska, and Forrest is in Utah. We could use voice and microphones too, but using CW is fun. CW is also more efficient and can often cut through when voice communication struggles. As you may also know, Morse code is made up of just two elements, the dit (short or dot), and the dah (long or dash). All the characters are made of combinations of those two sounds. These are called "paddles". Basically, they are just two switches, the right one is typically the dah, and the left the dit ... although they can be reversed for left handed... or if you just prefer the fingers reversed. This is just a way easier and faster way to make Morse Code vs. using the old telegraph style of pumping a "key" up and down. Some people still use the old telegraph style of key just because it's fun and how they like to do it. These paddles are then plugged in to an electronic "keyer". The keyer actually controls the length of the elements. We just touch one side of the paddle, and the keyer will make the dit or dah with the proper length and spacing between them. Most modern radios have electronic keyers built into them now, but we can also use an external keyer that goes between the paddles and the radio. I prefer the external kind due to it's memory options that my radio doesn't have. So, it's an easy way to send Morse Code with two fingers. Some people can go so fast that I can't even hear the characters, it's pretty amazing. The guy (Forrest) I'm talking to here can go a lot faster than I can. Learning the code just takes time, dedication, and practice .... kind of like learning to play an instrument. With time, you can learn to associate the sound of each character to it's respective letter, number, symbol, etc. If you listen to the sounds in the video and watch the letters go by, after a bit, you might be able to start to catch some of them. Like for instance, the first letter of my call sign is "N" which is "dah-dit". The more you listen to it, you'll start to hear the "dah-dit" and over time could begin to associate that sound with "N". We also use a lot of abbreviations like R (roger), TU (thank you), GE (good evening), 73 (best regards), etc. My radio is controllable through the computer. That's what you see on the screen. It shows a slice of the frequencies we're using, and signals that are there. The event we are doing is called "Parks On The Air". "Activators" go to designated parks, and set up portable radios/antennas and then "hunters" listen for them to make contact with the activators. It the exchanges are short and fast as the activator wants to make as many contacts as he can while at the park. Just for fun, the stats are all tracked for both hunting and activating. It's just a fun way to get outside with a hobby we enjoy, and practice portable setups in case it was needed in an emergency .... like when a hurricane takes out all the commercial power and communication options. That may be more than you wanted, but I hope that helps explain what's happening here. :)

@ dude that is like the best info dump I could have ever received. I always saw CW in old movies and the such but I didn’t think people could make it out that fast! Keep practicing because that is awesome my man. You are a beast!!!! 😁😁😁

@@frostyonair LOL ... Hams love to talk about ham radio. :D Really, I'm not very fast compared to many. There are operators who can make me look like a toddler. LOL This is just one aspect of ham radio. There are lots of things to do if you have the interest. If you notice on my computer screen the band of yellow scrolling down... Those are all digital signals. It's people using computers connected to radios, sending tones over the air and making connections with each other that way. It's fun to see how far you can get with just a few watts of power. Some just enjoy meeting new people and talking with them. I more enjoy the technical aspect and after all these years (since 1991) still feel like it's some kind of magic that I can put a signal into an antenna or piece of wire and directly communicate with someone else so far away. :)

I didn't wait until Christmas - LOL. Thanks for the recommendation! I asked for the low profile finger pieces but didn't specify color (got red). I'm loving this paddle. No noise, light touch, precise, and it always makes contact. Good stuff! Thanks again!

@@ScottNB0Wyes sir. I have north of like 30 paddles now. The reason I love the solid state is no mechanical adjustments. Just perfect sending every time. Love the red. Looks so cool. 73 om

You had a great signal. It's always good to hear you on. 73

Thanks Tim, I thought it sounded like you were on a straight key. Thanks for the antenna info. I have a LDG choke I could use at the feed point. I should try that. This was my first time using the whip like this. I don't even know if the radials are helping where it's on top of the metal van(?), but something in my head tells me that verticals are supposed to have radials. LOL I got a wolf river coil a couple weeks ago to hopefully get a whip on 40m for some night activations. (Stoopid job keeps getting in the way of daytime fun stuff.) I set it up to check with the VNA that it would tune (it did fine), but I haven't tried activating with it on 40 yet.

Thanks other Scott. I appreciate the contact. G90 Power! 😆

Thanks Jim. I appreciate you hunting! 73

No problem. I subscribed to your channel and I will be listening for you. Hopefully we have some more QSO's in the future. 73

Thanks Matt. I've used a lot of other activation videos for copy practice and to get and idea of what to expect. Hopefully someone can get some good out of this one too. Thanks for hunting! 73.

I'm running out of keys. I haven't used the Kent dual lever in a short yet. The wooden one, I made just for fun. The wooden base is hollowed out and has a steel plate in the bottom of it for weight. It works pretty well, but it's way to "clanky" for me. The circuit board one actually has a pretty nice feel to it, but it's no match for a good commercial built key. I don't have anything very fancy. The GHD (single lever) is new just in the last couple weeks. I've determined I like a light touch, and a quiet paddle. I love the left side of the GHD. It has a small, thin pad of metal that makes the contact which makes it very quiet and gives it just a very little bit of spring. The single arm is split and the right side does have just a little "clank" to it. I could live with it but I wish the right side was a quiet as the left. Vibroplex says the GHD dual paddle is very light and quiet. I'm debating if I want to try one of those, or if I should just give up and get a 9A5N solid state. I wonder if I would miss the "give" and spring of the solid paddles? I'm sure I would like the literal silence of it tho. What to do? What to do? (First world problems)

@@ScottNB0W I have north of 20 base station paddles now and around that same number in POTA paddles. I have some of the most expensive, high end paddles made all over the world. While the aesthetic of the solid state doesn’t appeal to me, it has quickly become my go to paddle when calling CQ DX at 26WPM. I frankly love that there are no mechanical adjustments. Don’t get me wrong. I love many of my paddles but I’d recommend this solid state to everyone!!!

@@Utahforrest Thanks again for the info. I have heard/read nothing bad about the solid state paddle in all the reviews I've seen. I don't even care to go that fast, If I can get up to a relaxed 20wpm, I'll be happy (working on it). I don't even know why, I just don't like noisy paddles. *shrug* I even mostly like the modern look of the solid state except for one MAJOR thing, the big words right on the top "Solid State CW Paddle". That isn't a deal breaker, but I think the big letters stating what it is really cheapens the look of the paddle. *another shrug* A Corvette with big letters on the hood that said "Engine Powered Automobile" would be a deal breaker for me, but I guess I can probably live with it on paddles. LOL Now I'll have to see if I can hold out until end-of-year vacation payout, or sneak it in sooner. :D

@@Utahforrest Oh yeah ... just to add I bet I do have a commercial paddle that you don't have .... I should dig it out of storage and hook it up and use it for a contact... :D (if it still works)

I don't know what you did, but it must have been pretty bad? Sometimes you just gotta show those paddles who's boss ... and give "sleeve" something to feel smug about.

You know.... now that you mention it, I've been wondering why there has been a black van with antennas just sitting there down the street the last couple days. I bet they have been waiting to catch me in the act of slappin' dat paddle and dey gonna take my license!

@@ScottNB0W Hope you found that helpful . I don't think it's that kind of offense . It's just offensive the way you're using it ! I bet you're a newbie ? And that's O.K. ! As I understand it, the tradition of having an Elmer show you the ropes, has long been lost ! But I bet if you look around TH-cam, someone can show you the proper way to use Paddles . I applaud you for trying to learn the Morse code ! No doubt it isn't easy ? Keep up the hard work, and I bet in several years, you'll be able to copy simple words in your head ! 👍😉

@@sleeve8651 I can only dream of years from now being able to copy simple words. In the mean time, I will check out your videos to learn the proper way to do ham radio.

@@ScottNB0W I would have to be one before that could happen ! When I want to talk to someone, I just call them on the phone ! Why put yourself through all that aggravation, when you can do the same on Citizens Band ? I heard a guy say one time that amateur radio is just sophisticated CB ? Anyway, keep up the good work !

@@sleeve8651 Apparently there's just so much I don't know about all this. I didn't even realize I was aggravated... until now, I thought I was enjoying a hobby. I also didn't know I could just pick up a CB mic and talk to people six states away... but if a guy said it, it must be true. Thanks for correcting me!

Thomas makes good bugs, and I like how his will slow down nicely. I think you'll enjoy it. The only issue I've had is "scratchy dits" or I think some call it contact bounce? Anyway, I set this up to have the bug trigger a relay, and then the relay keys the radio. That relay is the extra click noise you can hear. The relay is just back there in behind the monitor so it's fairly loud, but doesn't bother me. That has totally gotten rid of the scratchy dits. I still need to practice more with the bug, that's for sure.

Thanks, Forrest. LOL, yeah, I hope no one expects full transcription on every video. I got about half way through and went from "This will be cool" to "What was I thinking?". By then I was too far into it to quit. I showed my XYL thinking she would be totally uninterested, but instead she was like "No-no, let it play, I want to see who's next!" 😄

Thanks Forrest ... it's an honor to have a card on your wall! Your card was right there under my monitor. After I made the video, I though "Drat! I should have propped it up so it would show!" Next time! Thanks again, 73!

Thanks for hunting! It was funny a few weeks ago, I was just listening to another activators (Ham Radio Duo) while at work, kind of copying along in my head as I was doing my thing and all of a sudden I was like "Hey, that's me!". I didn't even realize that I was watching the video of someone I had hunted. What a fun surprise! Thanks again, 73!

Thanks Chris!