Using contests like the NAQP as a CW Speed Building Tool

We take a look into how we can use contests such as the North American QSO Party as a speed building too. We look at the CQ format, the exchange and even dive into what odd CW weight sounds like.
This can also be used for beginners trying to pick out letters at high speed, but use caution as to not get frustrated with not being able to copy at the higher speeds.

[@tommcmichael8679]

Good stuff! I'm at 20 wpm and to improve. Thanks for the insights!

[@darrinpearce9780]

Great advice, done this myself several times. I usually pick a nice strong station with well sent CW and plod away at decoding his callsign and exchange. Great way to learn the sound of real on air CW. 73's and thanks for posting.

[@dgrewar]

Thanks for sharing... really encouraging. I shall definitely start listening to CW as part of my learning and practice regime

[@dgrewar]

k9KJ from MW7BIH
Ive made very very good progress learning the alphabet and numbers using the 'Morse Mania' app. I now know all the letters and numbers with very few errors. Am working towards being able to recognise all the letters and numbers within a fraction of a second. Once I've mastered that I'll find out what the next step is. I'm only licenced up to 10W and have an FT891 with an end fed half wave 80 to 10 wire antenna

[@BretChilcott]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 73 Bret/AC0AE

[@mikemiles3068]

Good video 73 KV5P

[@georgeetherege8347]

I'm OK with listening to a contest station in order to improve my CW skill. But I will not participate in a contest where the stations do not slow down to match my code speed. Here's the secret: contests don't involve people. They are merely a group of computer controlled high speed code machines sending to other computer controlled high speed machines. Nobody's actually sending anything--they are just presiding over automated generation of signals. (Sometimes on Sunday, when desperate for new, non-dup contacts, a hot-rodder MIGHT slow down to get your exchange. But it's rare.) So... contesters, if you don't slow down for me, you don't get the benefit of my call sign and exchange in your log.

[@k9kj]

This is a very good point and a big problem. I always slow down, but a bunch dont, and I dont understand why...

[@lizzyfan1986]

Plenty contestors WILL slow down to your speed..in my club, FRC, we have several high speed guys that actually use a paddle/ key and not a keyboard, which is easy for them to slow down as they do not have to adjust the timing via N1MM or other contest programs that you have to manually adjust to slow speeds