I participated once again in the Netherlands Telegraphy Club QSO Party. I really looked forward to it and I had a goal to make more QSOs as last time. But unfortunately it didn't happen. At first I listened on 40m but hardly couldn't decode any call. Some stations I heard were OK2BVX, DF4WX, PI4NTC and PA1HAM(?) and PA3GPX. I couldn't hear a name or NTC number all the keying went way too fast for me. After half an hour I moved down to 80m. Had a short exchange with OG0O. Then back to the NTCQP. I finally heard someone with clear and reasonable speed keying, it was PA3CNI. I got his name and NTC number after a couple of overs and decided to make the call on 16 wpm. He did came back on the same speed and it went smoothly. Confident after this one I was looking for another contact. I heard many strong signals but couldn't decode anything out of it. Some use probably mechanic keys and the way the dots and dashes sound is messing my brains up. In the end I think I heard OK1LO, SF6SSC and PA9X but I'm not sure.
I have to say that this was a little discouraging. I wanted this so bad but am not able to simply decode morse behind the simple 5NN after 2 years of every day practice.
But you make CW QSOs? You did make them from Sweden and others are in your log? Yes, but most of the ones in my log are 5NN contacts. Everyone can make them, even without knowing CW. And in Sweden I was using the decoder built into the (tr)uSDX, it feels like cheating. I really want to do all decoding in my head. It should be possible so I will continue on my difficult path to learn morsecode...
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