From The Appendices

A1. CW OPERATING PROCEDURES

A1-1.      IAMBIC KEYING

Iamb is a term from literature meaning a two-syllable rhythm. An “iamb” consists of two syllables. It may be two separate words, one word with two syllables, or even a portion of a multi-syllable word. But the important thing is that each of the two syllables has a different “accent.” Sometimes the accent is called a SHORT/ LONG. That means, the first word comes quickly off the mouth when spoken; the second word actually sounds for a longer time. So somewhere along the line someone dubbed the squeeze key method of sending Morse characters as Iambic, perhaps because of the short/long (dit/dah) aspect.

Overall, single lever paddles take more mechanical motion to send characters than an iambic paddle. If you are just starting with an electronic keyer, most top CW ops will recommend an Iambic paddle. If you are used to slapping a key with quite a bit of force, you’ll have to ease up on an Iambic paddle. Just a light touch is all it takes to work an Iambic paddle. If the paddle moves, then you are using too much force.

Be aware there are two different modes of Iambic operation – type A and type B. When a squeeze is released during an element (dot or dash), type "B" adds the opposite element. Type "A" just finishes the element in progress and does not produce a following alternate element. For example, in Type "A" Iambic, a squeeze release during the "dah" in the letter A will produce "dit dah" (A). In Type "B" Iambic, a squeeze release during the "dah" in the letter A will produce "dit dah dit" (R). That is if the left paddle is still depressed at the half-way point of the dah.

A2. CW ABBREVIATIONS

AA - All after
AB - All before
ABT - About
ADEE - Addressee
ADR - Address
ADS - Address
AGN - Again
AM - Amplitude Modulation
ANI - Any
ANS - Answer
ANT - Antenna

A3. Operating Aids

Infrequently used is the addition of a letter to the end of the 3 numbers. These are: X = the signal is rock steady like a crystal controlled signal; C = the signal is chirpy as the frequency varies slightly with keying; and K = the signal has key clicks. X is from the early days of radio when such steady signals were rare. Today most all signals could be given an X but it is hardly ever used. It is helpful to report a chirpy or clicky signal by using the C or K, e.g. 579C or 579K.

It is very common to send RST reports in abbreviated form, for example 599, is sent as 5NN. "N" in place of the number "9". Also another time saver is for the zero using a long "T". "T" is sent in place of the number zero as in "POWER HR IS 3TT WATTS". Although there is a number code for all numbers, the abbreviated N and T codes are the most common ones.
Also CW stations sometimes report their zones as "A4" or "A5" instead of sending "14" or "15".

1 = A,   2 = U,   3 = V,   4 = 4,   5 = E,   6 = 6,   7 = B,   8 = D,   9 = N,   0 = T

Compiled By AC6V

A4. Q-Signals

A-10. PREFIXES

A12. MOST WANTED COUNTRIES & Well Done DX

Most Wanted Countries

The following are among the most difficult 100 countries to work.

1A0 SMOM

1S Spratly

3B7 Agalega & StBrandon

3B9 Rodriguez

3C Equatorial Guinea

3C0 Annobon

3D2C Conway Reef

3D2R Rotuma

3V Tunisia

3W Vietnam

3X Guinea

A11. DX RECORD SHEET