CW DXing for the CW
Challenged
By
Craig Bradley, AE6RR
De ae6rr
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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Or who needs a key?
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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Disclaimer
• I am not a CW expert
• The purpose of this talk is to encourage
hams with limited CW skill to give it a try
• Since I have been working CW DX, my
skills have improved, hopefully this will
work for others
• If you have suggestions to improve my
techniques, they are definitely welcome
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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Which group are you in?
•
•
•
•
I mainly work CW DX
I have worked some CW DX
I have never worked any CW DX
I would like to work CW DX but…
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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Why do CW DXing?
• Because it’s there?
• For another mode?
– worked them all on SSB?
• I need the entity and they are only on CW
– Mellish Reef, Chesterfield Is, etc.
• The signals are to weak to work them on
SSB
– Poor antenna, no amplifier, 160 M
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Why are you not CW DXing?
• I don’t know the code?
• I learned the code 40 years ago, haven’t
used it much and I am rusty
• I can only do 13 WPM and these guys are
going 30 to 40 WPM
• I can’t find my key (haven’t seen it in 20
years)
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Why did I try CW DXing?
• When I first got back into ham radio and
started DXing several hams (especially
Bob, W6CYX) kept suggesting that I try
CW DXing
• I had been QRT for 37 years and had
forgotten half of the code
• I thought that it would take me years to
learn the code well enough
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Then I experimented with CW
• I bought a microHAM microKEYER mainly
for PSK31
• Then I started playing with the keyer
• I tried some CW decoders and had some
limited success with them and then…
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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My 1st CW QSO
(since I was a Novice)
• XF4DL – Revillagigedo DXpedition
– 1 Nov 2006 on 80 M CW
– I recorded his response and emailed the file
to W6CYX for verification
– He said that it was a good one!
– I was hooked
yes
– I worked XF4DL again on 40 M CW two days
later
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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XF4DL QSL
My 1st CW QSOs
NCDXC Nov 2010
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My CW Experience
• 226 QSOs in the log to date
• CW DXCC: 80 worked / 66 confirmed
• Mixed DXCC: 191 – 176 (phone) = 15
– That is 15 entities that I would not have
worked on SSB
– Including BS7H, VK9GMW, TX3A, EL2DX,
JT1CO, 3B7C, VQ9JC
• I did CW Sweepstakes once
– it was very painful
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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VQ9JC QSL
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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Copying CW - Decoders
• There are 2 types
– Software: you need a soundcard interface
– Hardware: no interface needed (limited features)
• They do work – with good signals
– Strong (high SNR) signals are needed
– The sending must be good – computer or memory
keyer sent code is best
• The decoders are not perfect
• Humans do not all send perfect code
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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About the Code
• The code consists of characters with
variable numbers of elements
• There are 1, 2, 3 and 4 element letters
– E e, T t
– A a, N n, I i, M m
– S s, O o, R r, K k, U u, D d, etc.
– H h, V v, B b, Q q, F f, etc.
• Numbers have 5 and punctuation has 6
• Notice that the longer ones are
combinations of the shorter ones
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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Decoder Problems
• Element and character spacing are critical
• A a and E e could run together into a R r
• R r could get separated into A and E
• People sending with a paddle can leave extra
space when going back and forth from the DIT to
the DA sides
• Decoders quite often break human sent
characters apart into 2 characters
• Decoders try to sync up to the sending speed but
it may not be constant & the gaps may vary
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Decoder Strengths
• Computer or memory keyer sent CW is easiest
to copy by decoders as the gaps are consistent
• Contesters & major DXpeditions quite often use
computer generated CW
• Contests & major DXpeditions are a good place
to get started on CW DXing with a decoder
• Some CW DX operators may use a paddle to
send your call – then they might then use a
computer or memory keyer for the exchange
• If the DX has a good strong signal you may be
able to work him using a decoder
NCDXC Nov 2010
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What you need to copy
• The DXpedition style basics
– Your own call
– 5NN – Your signal report (it is always 599)
– TU – over to you
• You need to recognize the sounds at 25 to
35 WPM
• Think of them as words not individual
characters
• More on how to learn these sounds later
NCDXC Nov 2010
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A sample CW DX Exchange
• DX -> CQ DE P5VVA UP
– Note his call and he is listening up
– The packet spots might tell you where he is
listening
• Everyone (the whole world) sends their
call
• P5VVA -> JA4XYZ 5NN (a JA got him)
• JA4XYZ -> 5NN TU (the JA’s report)
• P5VVA -> TU (the pileup starts again)
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Exchange Variations
• The DX might end with something other
than TU
– EU eu (Europe only – go get coffee)
– JA ja (JA only – go get more coffee)
– UP up (listening up)
• Occasionally the DX will throw in his/her
call
– try to copy it
– you do know what it is right?
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Notes on Receiving CW
• Check the CW section in the manual for
your transceiver
– Set the sidetone for a pleasing pitch
– In many transceivers the sidetone also sets
the receiving pitch and the center of the CW
DSP filter
– When the signal is at the sidetone frequency
you are zero beat
– Tune around the CW bands listen to some
signals
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Sending CW
• The myth: “if I send slow, he will slow
down for me”
– Has anyone ever heard a DXpedition operator
slow down?
• You need to send at or near the DX’s
speed
– If you send slower, he will get someone else’s
full call before you are finished
– He wants to work as many stations as
possible and he can log more of the faster
stations in the same time
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How to send good CW
• Get a Memory Keyer
– A good keyer will have a speed knob on the front
– A keyer will send perfect CW
• how good is your fist?
– A basic hardware keyer should have buttons for
sending the memory buffers
– A computer interfaced keyer will use the computer
function keys
– Program the first buffer [F1] with your call
– Program the second buffer [F2] with 5NN TU
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Practice Your Call
•
•
•
•
Turn on the sidetone of your keyer
Some keyers have a speaker output
Send your call [F1] over and over
Vary the speed – you want to be able to
recognize it at 25 to 35 WPM
• Listen to the entire sound of your call –
think of it as a word
• Don’t try to pick out the letters at first
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Practice the Exchange
• Send [F2] 5NN TU
• Listen to the rhythm – TU is your cue to
send
• You will get more practice listening to the
exchanges on the air – probably many
hours!
• You will also get more practice identifying
your call as you send repeatedly into the
pileups!
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Working CW DX
• First you need to find the DX
– Watch the packet spots
– Listen to the W6TI repeater for spots
– Tune the bands
• Why did I list tuning last?
– If your code is poor, you don’t know who it is
– If you watch/listen to the spots, you know the DX’s
frequency, call and where he is listening (QSX)
– Beware of bad spots (broken calls)
– Beware of 2 DX stations on the same frequency
• This happened with some of the PJ’s
NCDXC Nov 2010
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OK – I found the DX
• LISTEN – LISTEN – LISTEN
• Do you hear the DX?
– Listen for a rhythm – 5NN and TU
– You should hear the same station (same pitch
and signal strength) over and over with a
rhythm
– Be sure that it is the DX not a lid or DX cop
• Does he ID periodically?
• Don’t transmit yet
NCDXC Nov 2010
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What style is he working?
• Is he working DXpedition style?
– 5NN TU?
• Is he giving his name, QTH, etc?
– If so, you may want to rethink this
– You could program a buffer with:
• UR 5NN NAME IS CRAIG CRAIG QTH IS SAN
JOSE CA WEATHER IS GOOD P5VVA DE AE6RR
TU
– But what if he asks a question…
NCDXC Nov 2010
AE6RR – CW DXing for the CW Challenged
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Where is he listening?
• Did the spot give you a QSX frequency or up 2-5
etc.?
– If yes, set your split to the QSX frequency
• Is he sending “UP”?
• If you don’t know where he is listening tune
around and try to find the pileup
• Set your split to near his listening frequency
• Switch your VFOs back and forth and see if you
can hear a station that he works (check the
rhythm between the two)
• How long is he listening between transmissions?
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Work the DX
• Turn on your sidetone
• Listen to his rhythm
• Set your keyer speed to ~ his speed
– If you are sending at his speed your call will sound the same as
your sending sounds coming back
• When you hear TU – send your call [F1] - once
– Listen to your call going out (it is good practice)
• Listen for the DX – if you don’t hear him send your call
again
• If you hear him – stop sending – is it your call?
– If it is your call send the report [F2]
– Else wait for TU and repeat
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Copying your call
• Hopefully the DX will send your complete call but
he may only get part of it
• If you hear part of your call (ABC), send your call
again
• You might get ABC? (abc?)
• Do not send 5NN until you are sure that he got
your all of your call correct
• If you are not sure, send your call again
• However, don’t be a LID – if he sends it several
times and you just can’t copy it
• Send 5NN TU, log it with a ‘?’ and try again later
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Advanced Techniques
• Tail-ending
– Listen to the pileup and try to find a station that is
working the DX
– Set your 2nd VFO to his frequency
– Follow his exchange with your call
• Where is he tuning?
– Listen to the pileup and try to find the stations that are
working him
– Is he tuning up or down in the pileup?
– Anticipate and set your 2nd VFO ahead of where he is
now
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Reference Material
• The Complete DX’er
– By Bob Locker, W9KNI
• Excellent book on CW
DXing
• Easy reading story style
• Idiom Press
• http://www.idiompress.com/
books-complete-dxer.html
• $19.95
NCDXC Nov 2010
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CW Packet Spots
• XMLog Spots Map
– Click on a spot to
tune the radio
• Watch the spots for
– The DX’s frequency
– His Call
– His QSX frequency
NCDXC Nov 2010
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CW Decoding SW
• CwGet
– Spectrum display
• Helps with tuning
• Helps set DSP
– Recording features
• Play back QSO
• Email QSO to Elmer
Just worked VP2/NY6X
but poor decoder copy!
– http://www.dxsoft.com/en/products/cwget/
– Freeware or $35 donation
NCDXC Nov 2010
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A Note on using Decoders
• Put on your headphones and listen to the
signal
• If you are not getting good copy on the
decoder
– Concentrate on the sound and don’t watch the
decoder print garbage
– This will throw you off
• Your ears and brain can probably do better
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Keyers
• Most modern transceivers have built-in
memory keyers
• There are low cost keyers with memories
• Many of them require that you program the
memories with a paddle
• This is fine if you can send good CW
• A computer controlled or keyboard keyer
will set the character spacing correctly
• MFJ has a keyboard keyer for $129
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Basic Keyer
• microHAM CW KEYER - $165
– K1EL WinKey chip (computer controlled)
– CW speed control on front panel
– USB interface
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Deluxe Keyer
• microHAM microKEYER II - $429
– K1EL WinKey chip (computer controlled)
– USB interface
– Soundcard for CW decoder
– CW speed control on front panel
– LCD display of Freq, WPM and sent CW text
– Full radio interface (serial port, key, FSK, etc.)
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Keyer Control
• XMLog CW Keyboard
Window
• Message window
– Set sidetone
– Program messages
• Part of a free logging
program
• http://www.xmlog.com
NCDXC Nov 2010
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CW DX Contests
• CQ WW DX Contest
– CW weekend – Nov 27-28
– Simple exchange – 5nn03 (RST/Zone)
– No serial numbers to copy
– Most stations will be using computer/keyer
generated code
– Rules @ http://www.cqww.com/
• WriteLog has a good CW decoder/keyer
built in
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Demo
• Let’s listen to some CW
– Calls
– 5NN TU
NCDXC Nov 2010
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Summary
• You can work CW DX with limited CW
skills
• Hopefully the experience with help you
develop your skills
• Comments/Questions?
NCDXC Nov 2010
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