High Speed Telegraphy (HST)

High Speed Telegraphy (HST) is an amateur radio activity with a more than a 40-year history in Europe. It is a sport adapted to amateur radio, a real challenge for the lovers of Morse code (CW).

The sportsmen compete in three tests. The first test is reception and transmission of letter text, figure text and mixed text. The computer generates the reception texts, starting from an initial speed of 80 marks per minute and increasing the speed until everyone gives up. In the
transmission test any kind of Morse key/keyer is allowed. The aim (both in reception and transmission) is reaching as high as possible speed with as few as possible errors.

The second test is reception of call signs generated by the computer the so called RUFZ test). After any correctly received call sign the next one comes with higher speed, and the opposite - after any wrongly received call the next comes with lower speed. The aim is to receive correctly as
many as possible call signs within three minutes.

The third test is a pile-up test (the so called PED test). The computer simulates a real HF contest with a typical noise as on the air, with numerous contestants calling you simultaneously and thus creating a strong QRM. The aim is to make as many as possible real QSOs within three minutes with correctly received and sent call signs of the correspondents and correctly exchanged RST reports.

The biggest event in HST is the World HST Championships, held in the odd years. Six World Championships are already in history showing an increasing number of participants from all three IARU Regions.

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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