Subject: Re: Navy CW To: "Ed Barger" From: CJohansen@nyiso.com Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 08:35:34 -0400 Ed: Great to hear from you. I have always loved code (CW not always). My uncle was a CW operator during Korea in the Air Force and brought home an old "J-47" which he gave me as a present. I was 8 years old when I learned the code. My Dad promptly bought me a HeathKit breadboard which included a code oscillator. I guess I was on my way. When I was 11, joined the Boy Scouts and started teaching the other scouts code using a set of lights, another gift from a cousin. They were signaling lights with vanes that opened by squeezing a trigger. I was truly on my way. Joined the Navy back in 68 during 'Nam and was stationed aboard the USS Wright CC-2 as an SM striker. Transferred to the USS Columbus CG-12 after a year and stayed on that steaming cruiser for 3 yrs as SM3. Nixon's governmental "phase 3" price freeze kept me from SM2 - no advancement . Signalman all the way! Used to copy flashing light at 28 wpm (cant go much faster or it looks like constant beam) and semaphore at 32. I loved communications. Civilian life didn't hold much in the way of code, so I became a HAM simply for the enjoyment of code. When I first copied sound (CW) I had an old Drake R-4 and ran the AGC in fast mode to watch the "S" needle move with the dits/dahs. I could copy 25 wpm by watching the needle (a variation of flashing light) but couldn't copy 800HZ to save my butt! It took a good 3 months before I could copy 25 wpm CW. Been and Extra since '77 now and am comfortable in qso at 35-40. I have an interesting Navy story about following a disabled Russian sub from Gibraltar to Alexandria, Egypt. But tts for another time. I've noticed your signal Ed, 599+20 most days and have wanted to comment on how strong you are up here in NY. Ionospheric bounce is just right for that time of the AM between us. I plan on being around for quite a while. My plan is to retire in several years and sail the ICW between Chesapeake Bay and the FL panhandle (Destin - Pensacola). That's why my interest in the WWCW net. The more I learn, the more comfortable I feel. Peace, 73, Chuck K2VQ es from an earlier e-mail... I have worked in the electric utility business for the past 33 years; at New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) for 31 yrs. and at the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) for the past 2 yrs. I am a system operator/ dispatcher training specialist. I also sail, am looking to mount my 570dg on my O'Day 22. We also have an Appolo 16, Albacore 16, and Hobie 16 (which belongs to my 15 yr. old son). We usually sail the NY Finger lakes and Lake Ontario with trips out on big water from time to time. I've sailed the Chesapeake Bay on bare-boats; chartered Pearson 39 and Pearson 31. We charter in the Bay every other year. I'm planning retirement in about 5 years. Looking for a costal cruiser around 33' and will mount the 570 or equivalent and want to copy 'wx fax' along with other wx data reports using the lap-top interfaced with the 570. I'm also interested in your location tracking using the GPS. I have a Garmin 48 and am interested in keeping track of my position so the xyl (N2GKU) will be able to track my position on the boat when I'm underway. Have to get to work but would love to continue the chat. Work predominantly CW but do some SSB on scheds w/ some good-ole-boys from my hometown down state. 73, Chuck Johansen K2VQ cjohansen@nyiso.com (wrk) chuckjohansen@earthlink.net (home) es from Ed AD4FJ .......... Hi Chuck. Gene, K5GP, forwarded your discussion on "ZZ" and "ST" to me and a few others who frequent the WW CW net. First, let me say it's great to have you check in on the WW Net and hope that we hear you often. It's always great to have new folks check in and decide to come back as a regular. I would like to ask about your Navy CW background. I learned CW in the Navy, RM school in 1957, and always like to meet other Navy CW guys. I went from RMCS to WO and then to regular O, always in the communications/intelligence field. I retired after 30 years of chasing signals of various kinds. Looking forward to hearing about your Navy background and hearing you on the net. 73, Ed AD4FJ From: Ed Barger [mailto:Ed@Barger.com] Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2001 10:58 PM To: CJohansen@nyiso.com Subject: RE: Navy CW Hi Chuck, thanks for your informative email. I commend you on your ability to read light. When I was a young RM on the USS Springfield, CLG-7, home ported in Villefranche, France, my good friend Charlie, a SM1 tried to teach me light. I got to where I could read it at about 10wpm but lost interest when the weather turned cold. During the summer it was neat to be on the signal bridge in a French Port (you know why) but during the colder weather, I stayed in my warm Radio Central doing my own thing with CW. I felt bad because he was not cleared to visit me but I could always go up to the Signal Bridge and visit him. In 1968, I was an RMC in Viet Nam. I was a member of a JCS recon team doing strange things in strange places. I was aboard the Columbus when she filled in as the COMSIXTHFLT Flag ship for a few months, but that was much later in the mid 70's, QTH Gaeta, Italy. I never developed an interest in being a Ham until after I retired and was getting ready for my extended sailing cruise. A friend (and ELMER N4ZLI) convinced me of the advantages of having a HAM radio aboard in addition to the Maritime SSB. If fact, he bet me a case of beer that I couldn't pass the CW test. So, we went to the next VE session and I took the 20wpm test and passed it, solid copy. They talked me into taking the Novice written test, which I passed but missed questions pertaining to Ham bands and rules, etc., because I had no idea about Ham procedures and had not read anything about it. Same day, I passed the Tech written the same way. Thanks only to knowing something about electronics, radio procedures and props. I took the books home and returned the next month for my General, Advanced and Extra. During the next five years of sailing the US East Coast, Bahamas and Caribbean, I learned how to be a Ham and found it very enjoyable in addition to it being extremely useful. The Waterway and Caribbean Nets were a benefit not only to weather and traffic but also to developing many friendships, both ashore and afloat. I think I had more communications capabilities on my 40ft Bristol Sloop than some USN Ships of earlier years. I am still using the Kenwood TS-450S that I had on the boat for five years, which was six years ago. I am envious that you are starting out to enjoy all of those super experiences. I am looking forward to hearing your disabled USSR sub story. I might come back with one or two of my own. As far as signals go, I use the KNWD 450, no amp, into a 286ft horizontal loop on 40 meters (30 meters and below) and have an A3 Tri-Band for the higher freqs. I am about 2000ft above sea level here on my remote little hill and do enjoy good signals. Although, you are correct about the F2 layer conditions at that time of day as I usually hear the more distant QNIs better than those who are in the South East. " I plan on being around for quite a while. My plan is to retire in several years and sail the ICW between Chesapeake Bay and the FL panhandle (Destin - Pensacola). That's why my interest in the WWCW net. The more I learn, the more comfortable I feel." That's great! I look forward to a continued CW relationship and wish you all the best. You are a welcome addition to the net. I would also encourage you to QAP the Waterway SSB net. They put out excellent information and are always there to assist in anyway possible. One comment - I found from experience - You don't sail the ICW, you motor it. I did it one South to North trip (Key West to Annapolis) and the rest of the trips I stayed outside in the open water, coming in only for some RONs, supplies and liberty. I am, of course, assuming that you have a Sailboat. If I had a Trawler type boat, I would have spent more time in the ditch (ICW). 73 and Enjoy Ed AD4FJ