Quick update about new videos being released

I am creating new versions of the Morse Code Common word videos. All the Top 100 and Top 500 English word Morse Code videos being released on and after 12/24/2020 will use a new method for recording the audio and video, which should result in a better listening experience.
One significant change (beyond better sound), is that the initial release of videos will not use Farnsworth character spacing. I will at some point release another set that employs Farnsworth but I think that might be holding some people back from working on-air stations.

[@randycarter5274]

Love your video's keep them coming I've learned a lot from them. Really got my interest in QRP.

[@HamRadioQRP]

Glad to hear it!

[@Neil_Morris]

This is a great idea. I learned using the Farnsworth method back in the 90s and I think I'm only just getting over it :-\ With the benefit of hindsight I think CW should be learned 'as it is' and not in some adulterated form that you'll never hear on the air. Wish I'd known that 25 years ago! 73 de G0TVJ

[@HamRadioQRP]

G0TVJ, I think that Farnsworth spacing is a big help at the very beginning of the learning process but if we keep using it for training then we get stuck expecting it. I kept wondering why I had more trouble copying the W1AW code practice than it seemed I should at speeds I thought I was comfortable at. Then I realized when I had on-air CW conversations with hams that were using keyboards I was having some of the same difficulty copying at speeds I generally wouldn't have a problem with. Hams using keyboards to send CW can't be accused of running things together because the electronic keyer is taking care of the timing. So I started doing practice sessions again without Farnsworth and found that the extra space between characters had become a crutch. I also now realize I use exaggerated character spacing when I'm sending because of the farnsworth influence. So I have to unlearn that and get back to normal spacing, and only slow it down if someone requests QRS. Ah, how I wish I was learning code as a teenager rather than an OM.

[@joeblow8593]

Thanks for these!

[@HamRadioQRP]

My pleasure!

[@elsalsero9634]

I’m working on Casey at the bat. 20wpm. Tnx

[@Scif64]

After recently coming back to the hobby and not using CW for nearly 20 years I want to transition from straight key to a paddle, I am looking for recommendations if its better to use a single or dual paddle to make that change. great idea about the videos and will help me get my reading speed back up to what it once was. 73's

[@HamRadioQRP]

I'm sure you would hear many different opinions on single vs dual paddles. A single paddle will prevent iambic keying (which is a topic on its own). Single paddle finger-pieces are frequently narrower than dual paddles, so it really comes down to body mechanics. You touch a key more than any other piece of ham radio equipment so you will find that your hand mechanics (palm rest height, space between forefinger and thumb at rest, etc.) will determine which paddle is more comfortable for you. I own multiple paddles, both single and dual. I tend to keep just two of them on my desk: A N3ZN ZN-QRP dual paddle with the narrower 1/2" OTO spacing, and an old 1962 Vibroplex Vibrokeyer single paddle. I used them each about equally, often switching between them during a QSO. Sometimes I feel like squeeze keying dual paddles and sometimes I prefer the feel of the old Vibrokeyer. If you have the money to spend; Tony's N3ZN keys are mechanical works of art. He has both dual and single paddle version and offers a 30 day return policy. I have no commercial association with Tony. I just enjoy using his keys www.n3znkeys.com/

[@ntc490]

Try both before buying one if you can. Guessing it's a personal choice. You can probably get used to anything. I thought a single paddle would be my favorite, but I like a double paddle best. I find I can send cleaner code if I don't do any iambic keying, though. Maybe I'll change later on. GL and have fun!

[@mikej-38qso22]

Thank you for adding a positive to amateur radio! Sometimes a person needs a little help.

[@HamRadioQRP]

Absolutely!

[@KX4UL]

I really enjoy your videos. I am a QRP fan and I am always looking to improve my CW skills. Please keep the videos coming. 73!

[@HamRadioQRP]

I will. Cheers

[@Aaron-hx3ry]

Thank you for the videos, they are helpful! It would also be cool to see some full QSOs in the 10-20 WPM range recorded from on the air. My antenna situation is rather compromised so I don't usually hear both sides of a QSO on the air, I think it would be helpful to see more examples of typical QSOs. Thanks again, these videos are great!

[@HamRadioQRP]

Search my HamRadioQRP channel (click the channel icon) for QSO's you will see a list of on-air recorded QSOs in the 10-20 wpm range.

[@ginokerekes]

Hi, love your training videos. Do you have plans to release more poems possibly short stories? I really enjoy listening to the ones you already released while driving & having more and more success copying them! Thanks. M7GGK

[@HamRadioQRP]

Other than Casey at Bat the poems and stories didn't get much response. Reply with a couple you'd like to hear and I'll get them into the queue.

[@ginokerekes]

@@HamRadioQRP I don’t know Casey at the Bat (being from UK), one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much, I didn’t know the story, at all! I still don’t although I’ve managed to understand large chunks of it now, I refuse to look it up on the internet! Maybe a brief history of peoples lives who may be in some way relevant to our hobby would be interesting, Samuel Morse, Violet McKenzie? Thanks again for your videos, it’s easy enough to request something (as am I) but I’m sure there’s an incredible amount of work goes into producing them.

[@BadHorsie2]

Yes!!!’

[@Chiavaccio]

😀😀👏👏