Author Archives: Ian G4XFC

About Ian G4XFC

Ex RAF Special Operator Telegraphy Morse Intercept Operator during the Cold War RSGB Morse Assessor up to 30wpm Webmaster www.g5fz.co.uk Webmaster www.themorsecrusade.g5fz.co.uk Webmaster www.nationalhamfest.org.uk

Morse Grades?

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In a recent email from fellow Crusader Matt VK2ACL who is working really hard at being able to read 25wpm comfortably which he considers to be “The Black Belt” of Morse operating. This got me thinking about relating Morse to Martial Arts Grades as my son Rob is a Martial Artist. (Profile Here) He started learning Kung Fu when he was 15 to protect himself as he was too scared to go to our local market town where he was being picked on. Through Determination, Self Sacrifice and Pain he is now well respected in his field and still learning.

How does this relate to Morse? To learn Morse properly you have to be very determined, sacrificing time for daily practice and to go through the pain and frustration of overcoming mental blocks. Having a quick grade of our Crusaders, Matt VK2ACL would be graded as a Brown Belt striving hard for his Black Belt, I would consider myself as Black Belt First Dan and John N5DWI would be graded as Black Belt Fifth Dan (visit John’s site) Continue reading →

Slow Morse

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Let’s get the the truth out and see where we progress. Do I like slow morse? NO! I like to work about 18wpm which I am comfortable with on my straight key. Do I think that I am better than the slow Morse operator? NO! everyone is equal and we all had to start somewhere. Do I try to show off with my fast Morse? NO! I was trained at 30wpm but I like to have a relaxed QSO at 18wpm with my straight key and I would have to use my paddle key for faster speeds which I really don’t bother with. It is like driving a car at 60mph or 100mph, what speed would you be more relaxed driving at and not be tired at the end of the journey. Would I work a slow Morse station? YES! I would like to think that I am giving encouragement to a slow Morse station and help them progress in increasing their speed. Continue reading →

Redefining Slow Morse in Amateur Radio

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This is my Nemesis and I have upset people in the past airing my views on the subject so lets go WORLD WIDE. My problem is that people do not listen properly to what I am saying, especially learners who do not really understand the principles of my views.   I love using Morse and actively encourage others to learn so that they can get the same enjoyment as I do using this mode of communication. The worst part is the people that actively teach slow Morse who refuse to listen to the damage that can be caused by their activities and set a potentially good Morse Operator back years. Continue reading →

Readability

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This brings back memories when I moved from Glasgow, Scotland to Lincoln, England in 1963 the first English word I learnt was “Pardon” and seemed the standard reply to any question I asked. I soon learned that I needed to think and slow down when speaking to get any reasonable answers. I now speak Lincolnshire with a Scottish accent which most people seem to understand. Continue reading →