Morse Code Ragchew Elecraft K2 Wiltshire Man

Thinking of learning Morse code. Read on here:
Had the great pleasure of a nice Ragchew qso with my good friend Fred G4HOM. A Ragchew is where you basically talk about any old thing you want. There are basic rules about how to conduct a Ragchew qso and the best rule is just to "Let it all hang out"
We were operating at approx 26 wpm (words per minute) which I would say is a slow to medium pace the sort of speed that can sometimes send me off to sleep.
We were both using Elecraft K2 radios. Do your research and you'll soon realise what a legend of a radio it is. Mostly they were built from kits. I don't think you can get them any longer.
We were both sending Morse with a Paddle. The paddle has two levers, one for sending dashes and the other for dots.
It is an acquired skill and with practice like all things becomes easy.
If you enjoy learning and have some "staying power" you too could possibly learn to read and send code though be warned, some may find it very easy and others find it impossible.
If you have a good ear for rhythm and are musical then it may be easier for you to learn.
You don't have to be clever to learn Code. I know some old farmers who are good at it and I know some Professors who are not so good! And vice versa of course!
These days there are many good programs on the net, a Google search will show many, also there are radio clubs up and down the country that have classes.
Check out:
Fists Morse preservation Society
fists.co.uk/
And Essex CW club
sites.google.c...
At the end of the day it will come down to you and how much effort you put in.
As for me I am totally self taught but may have had a head start as I was exposed to Morse code from an early age, my Uncle was a wireless op in the RAF during WW2 and I can remember him teaching my brother and I a few Morse Characters.
My brother is now a very good golfer, and doesn't know a dit from a dah, I on the other hand can't hit a gold ball to save my life!

[@Bashnja1]

Hi Sandy, Very good. I don't know about star of the show but I think the K2's stole it. As for the raspy sidetone, I run mine thru an external audio filter even tho I've got the DSP unit installed, it shapes that ruddy awful sidetone and makes the CW sound like music with a pure sine wave essential if you wind it up to QRQ levels. Thanks for the shout out. Catch you again soon. 73 All the Best... Fred G4HOM

[@WiltshireMan]

I reckon your right Fred. Yes the side tome is like a square wave Fred. Very thumpy to listen too. Always a pleasure to have a qso with you Fred:)

[@MrRadiorobot]

M0TWA here Sandy.. It was your ham content that first brought me to your channel..ive stayed yo watch much more than just twiddling knobs and CW... Thanks for all your uploads, highly entertaining 😀

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Just read my last post, can't believe I didn't wish you and Mandy a Happy and above all Healthy New Year Sandy. So there you have it and again tnx fer the Ham Shack treat es CW qso with Fred. anything radio related is always a treat. 73 agn es HP 2 CUDTL OM! de Ellis WA1RKS

[@richardsierakowski1623]

Hi Sandy. Excellent presentation. Some interesting kit you have. Ever thought of going HF mobile on your trike with a pedal powered generator for the rig. The antenna would certainly catch the eye of vehicle drivers coming up behind you. 73 Richard - G6EQJ

[@adzbasslines268]

It's great to see you drag out the K2 now and then! I built my K2 just like yours CW only, a couple of years ago and use it more than any other rig!

[@marcuskiritsis2076]

Very nice and interesting to watch. Carmen has got the right idea by the radiator lol 👍👍♥️♥️☺️☺️

[@WiltshireMan]

She knows the best place to be Marcus. She is a clever and sometimes crafty dog

[@johnchecketts1732]

Morning sandy love all your ham radio shack videos,, as a ham radio operator I like watching cw stuff as I am learning morse code at the moment to get my full licence I a a 2eo at the moment so love listening to you on my hf radio when your working,, take care mate

[@WiltshireMan]

Good luck John and keep it up. You will get there

[@drawingboy4343]

Dear Sandy.i am 78.and i like all your videos .we miss you voice and calm presentation.please go on.may GOD give you all health and happy new year and merry christmas.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Ahmet

[@uslines]

Hope you will find the time to produce more Sunday Morning sessions. They are my favorites of all HR videos on the Tube. 73 F8WBD.

[@WiltshireMan]

I shall soon when the weather turns bad:)

[@peterdigby1695]

Thanks Sandy, just what I needed since my gear is packed ready to move house - music to my ears - look forward to more of these in the future - best entertainment for late evenings during lockdown. 73'

[@petefurness]

Great Vid Sandy. At last some CW. Love it

[@tazzzxcsd]

Tnx Sandy very interesting, well done, music to my ears mate, 73's and all the best from Phil VK7VR Tasmania

[@lmmaude]

My Dad, Ron, ZL1BGW, was an avid Ham and built radios and aerials all of our childhood in NZ. He died in 2001 but I still find myself noticing aerials on cars and in backyards. Blast from the past!

[@leslieaustin151]

Loved that Sandy. My you’re good on the key, I struggle with 18-19 wpm! Nice to see the K2 used to its potential, though yours has more dust on it than mine!! I also have a K1 - love it to bits as I built that one - though its at a friend’s house for repair just now. I’ve been using 17 metres lately and getting some good contacts.. Cuba with 4 Watts my end, and the aerial is only an EFHW wire. All your videos are interesting to anyone with an open mind Mate! Thanks for this one and HNY, Les g0nmd

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Les, There is a strong station on Cuba CO8LY can be worked with ease. As for sending speed I can go to 50 wpm but start to make a lot of qsd. I can read the code quite well at most speeds provided it is well sent and the conditions are good HNY Sandy

[@campfire52]

I really don't know much about Morse Code, but I do find all forms of communication very interesting. Especially when done with the radio waves over long distances. I am pretty certain that I would never be very good at it because it requires too much focus, patience, and attention to detail. It would be like trying to teach a water buffalo to ballet dance LOL!!!! Thanks for inviting us into the Hamshack Sandy, it was a great time for me. Stay safe and healthy and I will see you on the next one.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching all the same Terry

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

I got my Ham licence in 1983 followed by my RYA marine licence. Had contacts with the MIR space station and got QSL card etc. Ran a Packet station in conjunction with G6RAF. Sat tracking with Oscar sats. Linking with Digitalker. Hower the best part of the Hobby for me was building the kit and modifying PMR radios that I purchased from Grandby Halls Leicester Rally. I gave up Ham Radio when the ex CB guys moved onto Amateur bands and being close to major towns Ham bands used for Taxis and Calling to Prayer etc. Recently just completed an Aviation Receiver kit. Cheers and thanks for sharing your contact. Cheers from old George 👍🤠

[@WiltshireMan]

Having a contact with MIR was quite something. were they using the callsign UA0MIR?

[@ic706mk2g]

Great stuff Sandy keep it up, i also have a TS 590 SG great radio love CW but a bit rusty now as I cut my teeth on a FT10B many years ago ! Ok 73 and look forward to the next one DE M5SSB in Marlow

[@craigmarsh3221]

i really enjoy watching all of your videos very enjoyable

[@vu3hpf]

Miss your Ham Shack videos and CW rag chews...

[@AussieAndyHardy]

Mate, great video - that was cracker to watch / hear..! I am returning to AR after 30+ yrs away from it (recently gained G1AJH via HAREC route as I used to be VK2CHA). Back in those days, my Morse was the required 12wpm to pass the test and only ever had half a dozen QSOs. Returning now, I can copy maybe about 10wpm if I sit with a pencil and really concentrate - for about 2 mins lol..! So seeing you guys chat at that speed and without writing anything down on paper gives me hope I'll be able to do that one day..! For now, my focus is getting the tower / antennas sorted at my new QTH in Dorset. 73 de G1AJH

[@ElectromagneticUK]

Lovely video, it was special that you got your first introduction to Morse from your uncle.

[@MrScotchpie]

Amazing key skills from both ops. I've just started (again!) trying to learn the code. Very enjoyable video.

[@WiltshireMan]

Keep up the practice, where are you based?

[@MrScotchpie]

@@WiltshireMan Blackburn Lancashire.

[@larryak0z672]

Best video I've seen in a long time. Thank You!

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Larry

[@richylad]

I was thinking a while back I hadn’t seen a ham radio vid from you in a while, enjoyed your cw vids, I’ve learnt a bit of morse but not enough to do a QSO yet 73 👍🏻

[@adelarsen9776]

Well, I actually watched the whole video through to the end. I cooked up some fried eggs on toast and sat watching the entire conversation develop. A joy for certain.

[@uslines]

Egg and onion sandwich delicious.

[@adelarsen9776]

@@uslines I don't eat bread any more. It's poison and non-human food. Onion and egg are fine.

[@jbradshaw4236]

Excellent ! Something to watch in the early hrs tonight on my last night shift when time seems to stand still! Hope your well Sandy...

[@3eyes029]

Same here lol

[@WiltshireMan]

Hope you had a quiet night shift John

[@jbradshaw4236]

@@WiltshireMan I did thanks Sandy! Three days off now so hoping to get out with the stove and have a cook up in the woods! Scrambled eggs and coffee is my favourite! Be safe mate.

[@WiltshireMan]

@@jbradshaw4236 chuck in a few rashers of bacon too:)

[@doncollins9331]

Thanks Sandy, very interesting. Cheers from a NZ DXer.

[@clivegreenall309]

Thanks for sharing this Sandy. I know nothing about ham radio, apart from the fact that it uses Morse code, but I really enjoyed this production and found it very interesting. It must take hours of dedication to be as proficient as you with the Morse key. I'll be looking out for more of your Ham offerings. Stay Safe Regards from S Africa Clive

[@PillSharks]

This is so clever and fascinating to watch Sandy, I use a VHF radio for my job and have always wondered about learning this, unfortunately I don’t think I’d have the brain power and patience!

[@christinemose7308]

This stuff just blows my mind. Amazing!

[@WiltshireMan]

Haa it's not really Brain power if I can do it.

[@dxscotland5901]

Hi Sandy a very happy new year to you and the family 👍

[@JosephAnthonyJosefius]

I have a Elecraft KX2 on order, I can't wait to get it and start doing some hiking and POTA stuff :) btw, you send fast lol, I can only manage copying 12 words per minute, though I've only been doing CW about 4 months. 73 de KI5JCO.

[@bushlore21]

Hey Sandy!! We like Hamshack Sundays,,, we find it interesting 👍🤠

[@uslines]

Just bought third-hand K2/10W. Lovely cw QRP transceiver...and, gratefully, not SDR! What a pleasure. 72 de Dick F8WBD.

[@mischef18]

I enjoyed this video bro but drove our daughter nuts, lol, she is in the next room. Anyway safe travels up your way.

[@davidlever1507]

Nice one Sandy,interesting content...

[@mbak7801]

The K2 is still available now. I have just finished the control and front panel boards. Just about to start the RF board. I wish the accessories were a bit cheaper though. Not touched a key in many decades so your cw was a bit fast though 'fer' really stands out. I was taught cw in the (British) army so only did 5 character letter groups. Few numbers and almost no punctuation. I am determined to get back into it again.

[@peterstanford9927]

I wonder if you have ever built one of Tim Walford's very enjoyable kit radio projects Sandy. Might make an interesting addition to the video collection....a bit of soLder smoke. I have just built one and found it thoroughly educational, enjoyable and absorbing.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Peter, I've never built one of Tim's kits but have met him a couple of times in the past. He gave a talk at our radio club once.

[@andrzejtrzepietowski4205]

Nice to see you again

[@charlieoscar09]

Really really enjoy the HAMSHACK Sundays please try keep the Ham stuff going of you can. Thanks

[@peteraaron8626]

I have no idea what I just watched, but I gave you a thumbs up anyway for your other content.

[@Nicktgrief]

Good to hear you in the shack again ... sadly your not getting slower 😂HNY sandy and all the best to the family and give carmen a pat from me.

[@WiltshireMan]

LOL I gave her a pat:)

[@NG9D]

love it! As usual. keep talking with your fingers Sandy, 73 Lynn NG9D

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Lynn, Yes will do. Hope you are keeping well 73 Sandy G0VQW

[@Lacie1706]

that was "THE REAL CW OPERATION" ! Congrats to this nice video and enjoy QSO with you. Thazt is more fun than the stupid 5NN in all the stupid contests. I like listening the ragchew 73 gl tu

[@juanantoniohernandez6979]

Congregación desde España ,cw perfecto.

[@WalterFox]

Great CW chat. Nice CW. Mine starts to get rusty (at age 72). Happy 2021 to you an yours. 73s es tks fm Walter ON6NW

[@WiltshireMan]

It's just practice Walter, age is no excuse:) I know many very old hams who are first class ops

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Tnx Sandy I finally got my Ham shack cw included video!. Tnx to u es Fred. I will admit I'm not as gud as u 2. I cud cpy abt 60% in my hd but your captions helped keep me on track when I gt lost I'd luk up and pick the qso bk up. still luking frwd for the dy we can ge a qso in the log. but in the meantime tnx agn fer the great video I really enjoyed this one immensely. 73 es hp to CUDTL OM! de Ellis WA1RKS

[@WiltshireMan]

Ah I thought you would enjoy this one Ellis. HNY Sandy

[@g4okt]

K2 - top of the pops still!

[@WiltshireMan]

K2 is a great rig even today Keith

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

Wonderful to hear morse but I’m afraid much of it was way too fast for me, last time I seriously did Morse was way back when I did my 12 WPM so maybe this year I should try to hone my skills. I love the Elecraft radios, nice and compact and interesting to read comparison to the 590 RX. 73’s

[@daveinwla6360]

Gotta ask the obvious, Sandy - do you ever do mobile QSO's while camping or out touring on Chugg?

[@robertreanney9012]

Music to me Sandy, we have a few things in common, look on QRZ for me,cheers Rob, G0AKU.

[@WiltshireMan]

Cheers Rob did check and saw you were at Bletchley and also a Blood biker. Great stuff. I know G4FON Ray and he gives tours around Bletchley.

[@gcljohn]

Hallo Sandy, rattling along at a good pace there, and although I am up to around 14wpm at the moment, I am still trying to get it higher, as this is the sort of speed I would like to be proficient at. Much appreciate the subtitling therefore. It wasn't clear what your 80m antenna was; saw the 450 ohm feeder going upwards but not clear what is was connected to! 73 and more please!

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi John, The antenna was originally a simple doublet with each leg 50 ft long and feeder which is 300 ohm slotted came right back into the shack. Then I decided to have coax coming into the shack so moved all the 300 ohm feeder outside. The coax goes from the back of the atu and on the far end theres about 10/15 turns wound round a plastic former which was a piece of 4inch down pipe. Then simply connected the 300 ohm feeder to the braid and inner. The antenna works well, picks up less electrical noise from the house and the coaxial choke (Ugly balun) stops much of the RF flowing on the outer of the braid coming back into the shack.

[@peterstanford9927]

As usual, an interesting video Sandy. Many thanks. I was just wondering if you had had any experience making and using a magnetic loop antenna? Any good for QRP in the woods? Kindest regards, Peter.

[@WiltshireMan]

I once made a two turn mag loop from 10mm dia copper pipe, it was quite big but would tune 160 through to 40 meters with a vacuum variable cap. You have to be careful with them as they are high Q and the voltage across the cap is very high. No experience of using smaller loops but they are available commercially and I think there are sites on line which do all the calculations for you. In efficiency they approach a dipole but are quieter on receive and slightly directional too

[@peterstanford9927]

@@WiltshireMan Many thanks Sandy. Yes, thanks for the safety warning. I have never had an RF burn and don't want one (hear they can be very nasty). I am experimenting with copper/nickel brake pipe....20" diameter for use on 11 MTR 5 Watts as backup comms for my brother who lives locally. Will have to improvise a tuning capacitor..stamp hinge/trombone/home made rotary air vane. If works, may try one for 2 MTRS. Note that many are collapsible & use coax cable as elements. Very portable. Cheers.

[@Patsagilitybits]

So long since I used morse I couldn't follow it except for the sign off at the end. Good signal though.

[@johndahl6651]

Beautiful cw ...73 from oz5jd

[@WiltshireMan]

Thankyou John

[@Neil_Morris]

Thanks Sandy, I was just in the mood for a good dollop of CW ;-) 73 es HNY de G0TVJ

[@WiltshireMan]

Haa, Yes it's great fun Neil HNY Sandy

[@deenunya7735]

What does the bt mean Sandy, if you havent used it for a while, do u find ur a little bit scratchy at 1st til u get warmed up? The Chatter not to similar to phone txt shirt type hand It amazes me how quickly you can decypher the incoming into words, and vice versa on the outbound, is it easier to understand in bound than sending?

[@WiltshireMan]

I use it like a pause / comma. Because I have used Morse extensively over the last 30 odd years it has become as easy as talking or listening to someone talk. It is another language. At first I was quicker sending but now can read code quicker than I can send. The ear is faster than the hand

[@charlieoscar09]

Sandy do you think you could doba video like this but QRS say 12wpm for me and maybe others to follow on with the TXT....I realise this could be a challenge for you 😁

[@WiltshireMan]

12 wpm is very slow but we all have to start somewhere. I'll see what I can do

[@davet9342]

@@WiltshireMan Yep Sandy - a nice qrs QSO would be nice for me as well

[@athom9141]

A mere youngster then

[@daveinwla6360]

Cool! I could *almost* follow that. Had to look up "bt", though. The online ham glossary said "pause/end of paragraph", but I notice you two used it like a comma. I guess Morse evolves like any language. BTW, what exactly does "dit dit" mean?

[@WiltshireMan]

In the early 20th century, at the end of a QSO, one party would tap out the "shave and a haircut" rhythm, and the other would tap out the "two bits" rhythm, hopefully leaving a smile on both faces.

[@flatbrokefrank6482]

Fascinating but i have no idea how you make head or tail of the transmitting, i am assuming that one paddle of the key is for dashes and the other dots?

[@WiltshireMan]

Thats right Frank

[@kenp8704]

Sandy what is some good kit for a new person starting out in the HAM world?

[@WiltshireMan]

I'm not really the one to ask Ken as I'm a bit out of touch as to whats on the market. Your best bet is to join a local radio club of visit a radio shop like Martyn Lynch and son

[@thebushman2572]

Hi Sandy, i was a SW listener when I was around 12 or 13 years old (58 this month) and built all my own receivers at that time but never got around to taking my RAE. I have now got my full license as of last month, a result of watching your channel for a number of years as a bushcraft enthusiast and saw your Ham Shack Sunday videos , you were my inspiration to go and get licensed (thanks, I will be forever grateful), it has taken me just over a year to go through all the exams but now very much enjoying playing radio. My next goal is to learn Morse code, I have started learning a couple of times using LCWO.net but find it very difficult for it sink in, have you any tips to get me and other newbies to get started? I would love to make 2021 the year I can master using CW, wishing you a Happy New Year Sandy, 73s tks fm Tim G6DXY

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Tim, Thats wonderful to know I have been of some inspiration:) For me I learned the Morse quite easy. I remember feeling happy that after the first day I could memorise quite a few letters. Over a period of a few days I memorised the whole alphabet and the numbers. There were not many training aids back then so I built an oscillator from a kit and got hold of an old Morse key and started to send Morse. I would go through a book and send the first letter of every word on a page and record it on a tape player, then the next day would replay the tape and try and copy my own CW. Later I wrote a basic program to run on a BBC Acorn electron computer which would randomly generate a Morse character and display it on the screen. It took me 6 weeks to reach 25 wpm Sandy

[@stevecrawford3551]

How long does it take to get to that speed? 30 wpm? 😀

[@WiltshireMan]

It depends very much on the individual, so never will simply because they give up or don't practice enough. The minute I stopped writing stuff down was when my receiving speed went up

[@GolfFoxtrot22]

Your always young, and mad.

[@WiltshireMan]

One must always try and wear a hat:)

[@doingstuffoutdoors3002]

Looks like a teenagers text message.....ive tried and tried to understand morse code or cw as its known now but I think its 1 of those things I'll never work out... 👍

[@silktvPDR1]

Yep lost me with this one lol 😆

[@barrybeames5535]

Hi mate ,love your vids ,but tell me why don’t u just talk to your friends instead of morse.

[@DesmondsDonders]

Nice contact albeit not DX LOL

[@WiltshireMan]

I heard a very loud GM recently Dave, we should try a sked?

[@DesmondsDonders]

@@WiltshireMan No antennas currently Sandy.

[@madgardener5820]

Hat that makes you look like a what?

[@WiltshireMan]

Young

[@muddyskins1]

1st....

[@guillecwdiaz1622]

i enjoy this video, just perfect qsd.....congrats!!! 73 fm Lu6edg

[@Paul-VA4ADM]

Great video! Thanks for sharing it 73 de VA4ADM

[@TonyM7CVK]

Nice to listen to Sandy one skill I need to learn CW. M7CVK Tony

[@WiltshireMan]

I get a lot of pleasure from using CW, thats all I do on the bands these days