Jan Hattingh

Male

South Africa

Profile Information:

Your Call Sign
ZS6BMN
How many years have you been performing QRQ CW
Feel a bit like an imposter in having obtained membership to QRQcw... I am a "wanna-be" QRQ operator and presently in training. Have idled along at 12 to 25 wpm since 1966. Only have time available now that I have retired and am making progress - slowly, but it is there....
What speed do you like to run QRQ CW
See above. Not there yet!
Your favorite key, paddle or bug
Best results with MFJ-564 paddle. Not perfect, but best manual speed obtained with it.
Your favorite cw keyboard
Tried out the MFJ-464 with paddle and keyboard, but need a lot more time to get up to speed - not too sure that it would be possible to get to acceptable QRQ speeds with it.
Your favorite cw sending software
Recently started testing Fldigi and found it a great aid to generate clean QRQ files to improve my receiving speed.
Your Rig, Antenna and RF Power
SWL only due to antenna restrictions in townhouse complex
Your QSK preferences
Not applicable at this stage...
Your favorite headphones or speakers for listening to cw
Used only standard Sony stereo headphones to date. Struggling to copy from speakers.

Comment Wall:

  • Brett Miller

    You may want to check out MFJ's loop tuners.  They can supposedly put out a great signal using a simple relatively small wire loop which can be concealed behind a bookcase indoors.  There are a lot of guys who claim great success using these devices, and many such anecdotes exist on the internet.  However, I don't know much about their theory of operation, nor do I have any first hand experience.  Supposedly you can use such a loop without need for a counterpoise or even an RF ground.  They are a little expensive, I suppose, but well worth it if the claims I've heard are even halfway true.

     

    I would be happy to set up skeds with you to help you bring up your speed, as I tend to work best between 20 and 40 wpm.  I tend to go over a little "hump" at 25 wpm beyond which copying in my head gets a lot easier, only to become more challenging once I try to push past 40.  Of course some days, sending and receiving at any speeds is a challenge.  My email address can be found on my QRZ page.

     

    Once again, I'd love to do skeds whenever you get your stealth rig working under the radar of the townhouse authorities.  hihi.  73

    -Brett

    KI4DBK

    Mar 31, 2011