The graphic above depicts of what I think some look like after they decide to place their fingers on the straight key, paddle, cootie, or bug and send their first Morse Code characters.
The cold weather of winter has taken its grip on most of the northern hemisphere and there's "No better time than the present" than to fire up that rig and quall your Morse Code fears and get "ON THE AIR".
Parks on the Air (POTA) and Summits on the Air (SOTA) have proven to be incredible instruments in bringing more and new Morse Code operators into the fold. However, "OLD MAN WINTER" has put a "FREEZE" on the number of Morse Code activators.
Maybe you have become accustomed to the predictable format of POTA and SOTA QSOs. Don't fret. There is another organization which lends to the same short predictable format to fill the void of the shortage of POTA/SOTA Morse Code activators this winter.
http://www.k1usn.com/
The K1USN website states "Members of the K1USN Radio Club, who are members of the CW Operators' Club (CWops), run a one-hour slow speed CW 'contest' called the SST. For those who prefer a more leisurely CW pace or are new CW operators or contesters, this just might be what you're looking for."
K1USN SST features
Slower speeds (up to 20 WPM) SSTs helps build Morse Code skills and confidence with short easy exchanges
Frequency list: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 meters
N1MM Logger + Call History
K1USN QSO Certificate
The "SST" format is simple: Name & State: Here's one of my exchanges with K1SM Bill:
CQ SST K1SM N4JAW N4JAW Bill MA GE Bill Jim KY GL Jim TU K1SM SST
It's that SIMPLE. Tune in and get started twice weekly.
Fridays 20:00-21:00 UTC 3-4pm EST
Mondays 00:00-01:00 UTC 7-8 pm Sunday
If you are willing to take on a little more, may I suggest you get a number. What number? Your number for the SKCC group Straight Key Century Club group.
https://www.skccgroup.com/
This group offers all types of activities to wet your Morse Code whistle to sharpening or improve your skills. From several monthly contest to many daily opportunities to connect with other group members to providing a SKED Page where you can connect with other members to schedule a QSO or let everyone know you are available for a QSO.
This screenshot from my logon to the SKED Page show I'm listening on 20 meters and I am available for a QSO. And you may notice where a few operators have sent direct messages concerning what frequency we might meet on.
One GREAT thing about using the SKED Page, you can leave a message on the page that you are new, what speed you feel comfortable with and what frequencies you can work. You can have a QSO using the SKCC minimum QSO format of:
RST, SPC, Operator Name, SKCC Number,or NONE for No Number
(Get That SKCC NUMBER)
Or if you would to delve deeper in your Morse Code journey, Marathon QSOs are welcome and even awarded. This group is loaded with activities for the new or even seasoned Morse Code operator, from their "Morse" Elmers, to their monthly contests (Slow Speed Saunter, Weekend Sprintathon, EuroSprint, AsiaSprint, and the Monthly Brag)
There's quite a lot more but it is best you look at the website:
https://www.skccgroup.com/
So you're a QRP Morse Code operator, there's something for you. The NAQCC, North American QRP CW Club.
This group has a monthly sprint and challenges which are fun and easy. Dave, W4JL, regularly completes the NAQCC monthly challenge.
Take a look at this YouTube video from the NAQCC and how to join.
http://www.naqcc.info/
Another group which is more contest driven is the FIST CLUB. There are American and European chapters of the International Morse Preservation Society FIST CLUB.
Give the FIST CLUB a look at: https://www.fistsna.org/
And finally, if you're really want to just jump in and grab the brass ring, the CWops offers a twice weekly hour-long opportunities for interested non-members to garner the required nominations for membership which encourages operators to be mindful and slow down when called at a slower speed so everyone will feel welcome.
CQ SST K1SM N4JAW N4JAW Bill CWops# GE Bill Jim KY GL Jim TU K1SM SST
Non members send their STATE.
During my 2024 Summer Early Bird POTA activations, my operating would sometimes run after the 1300 Wednesday CWT start time. Instead of stopping my POTA activation, I would jump in and work some those operators sending at speeds above my comfort level. It sure helped me in my receiving.
This is the second of my series, "I Am Not Alone! There Are Many Of Us" about Ham on a Bike. Here is the link to the first installment. Ham on a Bike - I Am Not Alone! - There Are Many Of Us, Part 1 In this post about "Hams on a Bike", I'll introduce you to those who not only push the bounds of portable Ham Radio operations but cycling as well. If you follow my Parks on the Air activations and think what I do is out of the ordinary or extreme, it does not hold a candle to these operators. Some of them I call extreme "Hams on a Bike" operators. I consider this person to be an extreme Ham on a Bike operator. Dugbo - KD7DUG, better known as "Left Coast Ham Radio"; regularly takes his QRP Labs QMX rig, which he built; for his Summits on the Air activations. Dugbo shows what it takes to do a Mountain Bike SOTA activation this time while chasing Adam - K6ARK. QRZ - KD7DUG There is only one word for this Amateur Radio Operator who takes his ...
If you look at the above photo, it may depict a lonely road. That is far from the truth. BEHOLD! I Am Not Alone. There Are Many Of Us. Its just another day in how I've done my portable ham radio activities for years. For various reasons I became Car-Free more than 10 years ago. Bicycle transportation is widely more prevalent in countries outside of the U.S. However, that doesn't negate some of the U.S. Amateur Radio operators who participate in Parks on the Air, Summit of the Air, World Wide Flora Fauna activities and others who provide VHf/UHF Public Service communications from using cycling to enjoy portable ham radio activities. For those Amateur Radio operators outside of the U.S. who use cycling in their portable operating, it seems to be second nature. I get replies to social media posts and comments about my Ham on a Bike activities. All the comments have been positive. A lot of inquisitive questions about rigs, antennas, keys, bat...
This series started out with a less than a couple of handful of "Hams on a Bike". Word got around the world and I've been pleasantly introduced to more and more Amateur Radio operators who in one form or another use bicycling for their Parks on the Air, Summits on the Air, World Wide Flora & Fauna and portable operations. Here are links to the first two parts of this series. I Am Not Alone! There Are Many Of Us. Part 1 I Am Not Alone! There Are Many Of Us. Part 2 Our hobby is SO GREAT that it has so many sub hobbies. I've come to know ham radio operators who hike with their rigs, kayak with their gear, fish with their gear, fly with their gear, ride in balloons with their gear and even jump out of a perfectly good airplanes with their gear and make QSOs while doing these other hobbies. By now I'm sure you have come to understand that, I Am Not Alone! There Are Many Of Us. H ere is one of my favorite SOTA operators. The Ham Ninja - N1CLC ...
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