SInce chasing DX is one of my major interest in radio, I have come
up with couple of ways to copy call signs at high CW speeds. First
and foremost; record *ALL* DX contacts on tape! The ideal tape
recorder is one of the microcassette models that has two tape speeds;
normal and half speed. These are available from Wal Mart, K-Mart,
Radio Shack, and just about every other department or discount store.
Going price can be as low as $17-$19. As soon as you hear the
pileup and realize it is a country you want, start taping at normal
speed. Tape the exchange even it the DX station is only sending 5
wpm. In the heat of excitement with a new DX contact, the mind can
play strange tricks on what you think your hearing. Yes, I too have
fallen prey to a Jamaican call thinking it was China. (on more than
one occasion) Go ahead and write down the exchange or copy in your
head then afterwards play the tape back at half speed and compare
what you copied to what you recorded on tape. The tape doesn't lie.
Another trick is to copy only one letter each time the DX call is
sent. LIsten closely, try and get the first letter of the call.
Don't worry about the rest yet. When your sure you have the first
letter, start listening for the second. And so on till you have
whole call. The problem with this method is that some DX stations
don't send their call with each exchange. Some stations only
identify every 10 to 20 exchanges. So that method is very limited.
The most reliable way is to use a dual speed tape recorder. Hope
this helps out some.
-- KK5RO Vernon A. Hatley Shawnee, OK
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