So you've learn Morse Code (CW)! Now What? Part 2

-

 




I received a few comments from my recent post "So You've Learned Morse Code (CW). Now What? Some operators say they are having difficulties finding operators sending at a speed they could copy.  Over a few days I took time to listen across the bands and did find their comments to be fairly accurate in comparison to the amount of total CW signals I heard. There were not many operators sending at speeds less than 15 WPM. Just might be a little daunting for a someone stepping into the Morse Code world.

It is definitely not like the days when I was first licensed in 1963 or when I was relicensed in 1983 when Morse Code was required by the FCC.  In those days of yore, Novices were restricted to CW on 3.7 - 3.75 Mhz, 7.1 - 7.15 Mhz, 21.1 - 21.2 Mhz , 28.1 - 28.2 Mhz.  I look back now and tremendously appreciate my days as a Novice during those days.  

There was no internet or spotting networks then. There were though regular daily and weekly CW nets and of course CW contests.  I pulled out some of my paper logs from those days and just as I remembered no matter the time of day I operated; I could always find someone who answered my SLOW SPEED (5 - 7 WPM) CQ.  Not only would other Novices answer my CQ, but oftentimes General, Advanced and Extra class operators would come down to the Novices frequencies to help.  One of the drawbacks in restructuring the U.S. Amateur Radio Bands and No Code requirement, today's operators learning Morse Code don't have the convenience I experienced of turing on my rig any time of day and finding someone to answer my 5 WPM Morse Code CQ.

In 2021, after a relative 30 year absence from Morse Code, I went with the same attitude I did when I learned the mode in the early 60's. That is, I knew I would make mistakes, I knew the BEST way for ME to improve was to get on the air and more than anytime, not fear making mistakes (learn from them) and not be affected by others brutal non-constructive criticism to a newly Morse Code licensed teenager.

Here's what a 30 year absence from Morse Code sounds like.


Parks on the Air became MY Go-To venue to reintegrate back into Morse Code. I purposely looked through POTA Spots for operators who were sending at speeds above my comfort level.  Like riding a bicycle it slowly all came back to me.

All that being said; I have found some other references I use almost daily in my Morse Code activities. I hope references will help those learning Morse Code or other sending operators to find those who may match their LISTENING speeds.



Here are a few references I've used over the years which may assist you in finding operators who will lower their speeds to match your comfort level.

First is the CW Club RBN Spotter Network.  This site is LOADED with information of CW operators with real-time updated information of Frequency, Callsign, Active Time, Club Member, WPM and RBN info. If you are looking for someone who is sending at a speed that matches your comfort level, this the GO-To site.

https://rbn.telegraphy.de/






Here's a link to the FULL info of CW Club RBN Spotter Network     https://rbn.telegraphy.de/info





I'm a BIG fan of the SKCC Group. Simply because they offer a FREE invaluable source of content, information, support from new to seasoned Morse Code operators.  In addition to the groups main activities, they have a list of Morse "ELMERS" who unselfishly volunteer to assist those on their Morse Code journey.

https://www.skccgroup.com/



Plus the group has a SKED Page, where you can log into and setup a time, frequency for a QSO. You can let others know what speed you feel comfortable operating at.  How easy is that?





Another group North American Quarter Century Club has (NAQCC) has a list of CW Buddies ready to help you on your Morse Code journey.



https://www.naqcc.info/




Finally, suppose you find a CW operator who matches your speed and skill level but can never find a convenient time to have a QSO.  Set up a match on Ham Alert to be notified when they call CQ.  That way you can catch them when it is best for you if they are on the air.


https://hamalert.org/



I hope this helps you Find Out Where You Fit!

Comments

Post a Comment

What Everyone Else is Reading

There's One Line I Don't Mind Waiting In. "THE GRAY-LINE or GREY-LINE"

-
Image
  Drive Thru Lines, School pick-up Lines, Bank Lines, Grocery Store Lines, Airport Lines and the lists of lines can seem almost endless.  Recently I've come to enjoy standing and waiting in what's called  "THE GRAY-LINE" or "GREY-LINE". Since I'm in the U.S., I'll use the Gray-Line spelling. What is "THE GRAY-LINE"?  For those new to Ham Radio or have not move that far along in their journey of the hobby; it can be defined this way.  "THE GRAY-LINE" is a band around the Earth which separates daylight from darkness.  Propagation along the gray line is very efficient.  The main reason is the D layer of the ionosphere, which absorbs HF signals, disappears rapidly on the sunset side of the gray line and it has not yet built upon the sunrise side.  In the YouTube below Dave Casler explains.  I've worked "The Gray-Line" on many occasions over the years but not in the last few years.  Here it is August 2025 and August is ty...
Read more

This QRPp Fishing Lure Helped Me Snatch A BIG ONE Working My Greyline

-
Image
  Renowned Golfer Jack Nicklaus made this quote about fishing.  "There are always places to go fishing. For any fisherman there's always a new place, a new horizon".   I equate that quote to my portable Amateur Radio activities. There are always places to go operate Ham Radio.  There are always NEW Parks on the Air, Summits on the Air, Islands on the Air and other places to operate portable and another day or opportunity to make a QSO. During my daily Early Bird Parks on the Air activation on August 13, 2025, I decided to operate QRPp ( less than 1 Watt ) with my QRP Labs QCX 40 Meter Mini with a 9 Volt / 200 mAH battery.  Due to the excessive heat in the Ohio River Valley in Kentucky, U.S.;  I try to get out around dawn to "Beat the Heat" and recently take advantage of the morning greyline over my QTH. I don't operate QRPp often but I looked back at my previous QRPp operating and found I seem to do this when HF band conditions are questionable.  ...
Read more

The MOST IMPORTANT part of your Ham Station is NOT your RIG!

-
Image
  Over the last few weeks all over the planet Mother Nature has been rearing her ugly head with rounds and rounds of different types of devastating effects of Terrestrial Weather.  For some of us in the Amateur Radio community Space Weather has not been a bed of Roses either. How does this play into my Amateur Radio operating?  It leads me to an ADAGE most of you may have read about in that the MOST IMPORTANT part of your Ham Radio Station is NOT your RIG. IT IS YOUR ANTENNA. I've spent the better part of this summer checking all of my antenna for wear and tear, repairing those that needed and putting each one through their paces on my Nano NVA. Due to unpredictable Terrestrial and Space Weather conditions, my HF operating and Parks on the Air operating have been somewhat diminished during the last few weeks. That has lead me to understand that in the waning period of Solar Cycle 25, I can likely expect the unexpected as we journey on the downside of this cycle.  As ...
Read more