AmateurRadio.com

 Now and then I hit the sweet spot regarding my CW progress. For a while now I have jumped up to 38wpm contesting style CW. At this point in my practice time, I make around 2-4 mistakes per 10-minute session but then a perfect score happens and I am thrilled. I agree that in an actual contest sending CQ contest at 38wpm may hamper more than help as some folks come across this speed and move right along. If you are spotted the station will know your call and if it's a generic exchange  (CQ zone or ITU zone) you may get a hit from more stations. If you are sending a progressive serial number you may get pasted up more than contacted. In CW contests when calling CQ contest my speed varies from 30-34wpm and depending on the contest down to 28wpm. As always if a station comes back to me at a slower speed than I am sending I tap my page down key and that drops my CW speed in N1MM+ contest software. 

So why you ask am I practising at 38wpm? For me, it's all about keeping the mind sharp and working the grey matter with high-speed CW does the trick for me. Today's results put a big smile on my face....until I go at it again and reality sinks in with a few mistakes.