Bob Wilson N6TV did some analysis using new columns in the raw data archived by the Reverse Beacon Network.
We finally have an answer to that age old question, “So, how fast do people send Morse code in CQ WW CW?”
Answer: about 30 WPM
Shown below is the average CW speed of all the RBN spots, by continent (of the DX).
Those African DXpeditioners really know how to QRQ (especially EF8U). And yes, most slow down a bit on Sunday, even if conditions improve:
2013 CQ WW CW, Saturday
——– Speed (WPM) ——-
Cont Max Min Avg StdDev Spots
AF 53 8 34.0 4.3 61707
AS 47 5 30.8 4.1 229914
EU 53 2 31.1 3.6 1578113
NA 51 1 31.1 3.8 772140
OC 40 7 30.2 3.6 29966
SA 49 4 31.8 4.2 124923
—- — — —- —- ——-
Tot 53 1 31.2 3.8 2796763
2013 CQ WW CW, Sunday
——– Speed (WPM) ——-
Cont Max Min Avg StdDev Spots
AF 50 6 32.9 4.3 66334
AS 47 2 30.2 3.8 227485
EU 51 2 30.2 3.5 1607793
NA 51 2 29.9 3.6 843113
OC 41 5 29.7 3.3 31278
SA 47 6 31.4 3.8 137572
—- — — —- —- ——-
Tot 51 2 30.2 3.6 2913575
Do people send slower on the low bands? Yes, the lower the band, the slower they go.
2013 CQ WW CW, Saturday
——– Speed (WPM) ——-
Band Max Min Avg StdDev Spots
10m 53 5 31.8 4.0 341152
15m 53 4 31.7 3.7 505217
20m 51 1 31.6 3.7 574727
40m 53 1 31.1 3.7 868980
80m 51 2 30.1 3.5 403785
160m 43 2 28.3 3.5 102902
—- — — —- —- ——-
Tot 53 1 31.2 3.8 2796763
2013 CQ WW CW, Sunday
——– Speed (WPM) ——-
Band Max Min Avg StdDev Spots
10m 49 4 30.9 3.9 278449
15m 50 3 31.0 3.7 484538
20m 51 2 30.8 3.5 694123
40m 49 3 30.0 3.4 888032
80m 46 2 29.4 3.3 443191
160m 47 4 27.3 3.3 125242
—- — — —- —- ——-
Tot 51 2 30.2 3.6 2913575
The RBN collects data from receivers around the world and stores it into a database. These reports include call, frequency, signal-to-noise ratio, and CW speed. More information about the Reverse Beacon Network is available at http://www.reversebeacon.net/
Thanks to N6TV for sharing his analysis.