CW for beginners, lesson 3

Unfortunately most cw conversations don't use plain English as this would be laborious and tedious to send in full. If a word can be shortened it will be and if there is a Q code for the sentence it will be used. The results can sometimes be confusing for the first time listener. Here is an example of a two way standard (rubber stamp) cw conversation:

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CQ CQ CQ CQ (general call) DE (this is) GM0ELP GM0ELP K (over)

GM0ELP DE M0GBK KN (prosign, back to you)

M0GBK DE GM0ELP GM (good morning) DR OM (dear old man) UR (you are) RST (Radio Signal Tone) 599 599 BT (prosign, break) OP (operator) Doug Doug ES (and) QTH (location) is Hamilton Hamilton BT So hw (how copy)? AR (prosign, end of transmission) M0GBK DE GM0ELP KN

GM0ELP DE M0GBK GM (good morning) DR OM Doug UR (you are) RST (Radio Signal Tone) 599 599 BT (prosign, break) OP (operator) Simon Simon ES (and) QTH (location) is Meltham Meltham BT Condx (working conditions) hr (here) rig Flex 6600 es pwr (power) 1KW es ant (antenna) OFCD 10m up BT Wx (weather) is wet es cloudy temp is 9 degrees BT so BTU (back to you) Doug AR GM0ELP DE M0GBK KN

BK (Break-in, now that calls have been established no need to repeat) OK Simon TNX (thanks) fer (for) condx (you conditions) hr rig is ftdx101d es pwr 10w es ant dipole 10m up BT Wx hr is sunny es temp is 15 degrees BT TNX fer FB (fine business) QSO (chat) es HPE (hope) CUAGN SN (see you again soon) 73 (good wishes) AR M0GBK de GM0ELP KN

BK es tnx fer INFO (information) dr om Doug es all CPY (copy) BT Hpe cuagn sn 73 TU (thank you) AR GM0ELP DE M0GBK KN

tu . .

..

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Don't worry about this as most conversations are rubber stamp and vary little from the above. Most constructs can be guessed and you will always get some sort of understanding.

Some tips:
1) When decoding don't write everything down, just the important things like name etc.
2) Don't write down capitals, a lower case scrawl is faster (it's not a quality record!).
3) When starting out listen to beacons (28.2 to 28.3) and slowly decode the repetitive message they send.
4) Always tune to the higher end of the cw segment of the band as this is where QRS (slow speed) cw is always sent.
5) Don't listen on cw contest days (weekend) as high speed cw is the norm and can be off putting for the beginner.
6) Always wear headphones to cut out distractions and close your eyes to help concentrate.
7) Don't be frightened to ask for a repeat "SRI (sorry) PSE (please) AGN (again) UR (your) name QSB QSB (fading) BK".

Doug GM0ELP