Intro

Since my inception as a HAM, I wanted to get into the CW. Currently, it is not mandatory to take a CW exam to become a HAM in Czechia - it is voluntary thing nowadays. But still, learning morse code and making CW contact is something I always wanted to try.

Reasons why:

  • On my last FloraFauna activation, I made 40 SSB QSOs, but nobody else was calling me. If I knew CW, I think I could complete the 44 QSO mark easily

  • My “hamshack” is a table located right next to our bed, where my wife is sleeping. This disqualifies me from making SSB contacts in the late evening, because shouting into the mic is not she desires to hear when trying to sleep. But clicking of the quiet relays should be possible 😁

  • I see practicing telegraphy as a good brain excerise

  • I will personally feel more like a HAM - it was mandatory back then, to learn CW to become a HAM. So I think it is good to know radiotelegraphy, at least in some basic form

How do I practice

There are tons of resources on how to practice morse code. I do not know what is best, but I tried some of the methods and tools and just sticked to what I liked. I do not say that something is the best method or tool, because I am a beginner and I simply do not know, but this is what I use/used:

  • LCWO - learn CW online - I use this to practice listening and copying skills, currently at 25/20 WPM. It is hard, but I am progressing (really) slowly. I do not have that much time I wish I had for practice, but that’s something I currently cannot do much about. I usually practice about 10-20 mins before going to sleep, but very randomly. I know I should make training consistent, but sometimes I am too tired, sometimes there are other things to do…

  • VBand - Virtual CW band - I used this occasionaly to practice my sending using my paddle, that I connected to old bluetooth keyboard’s keys, that triggers tones in the VBand web app. The advantage of VBand is, that you do not embarass yourself on air too much. The disadvantage is, that the system, by its nature, has a latency, which I find too high to send reliably and I do not want to develop bad habits, so I am not using that any more. I found that my sending is much better, when practicing on my radio, without actually sending (break-in mode set to off) - but that means, there is no person on the other side you can actually chat with and it is not very fun.

  • K9KJ CW Fans Youtube channel - Those are the lessons I listened to in my beginnings, while walking back from my son’s school. I have my noise cancelling headphones on, and I am listening to the “decoding” lessons. I repeatedly listened to the lessons, because “repetition is the key”.

  • Word List Trainer - This is what I use currently for practicing listening at 33 WPM. It has tons of settings, so I have configuration set in a way, that I listen for morse code sound and after 1 second, the letter is said out loud. Advantage is, that you do not need to watch any display. You just put your headphones on and listen a try to memorize the sounds and associate them with actual letters. I use this on my mobile phone while walking outside.

  • Morse Mania Mobile App - Really nice take on the gamification of learning the morse code. The app is intuitive, good looking, and features receiving and also sending practice. You can practice sending with your CW key, if you have an supported external interface. I do not currently have it, but I plan to either build or buy it, so I can pracite sending skills when I am ready for it. Since it is connected via cable directly to your phone, there should be no (or minimal) latency issues, as it does not feature internet connection to remote server.

Of course, there is a ton of other learning resources, but for now, I personally tried those and sticked with some of them.

My Paddle

Putikeeg CW key/paddle

I am using chinese Putikeeg key from Aliexpress with steel block base that has rubber on bottom (both things also from Aliexpress). Built quality of the key seems good and since I have never touched any other key, I cannot really compare with anything else if it is good or not. But other people on the internets are using that with success, so I will just learn on this one and see if there will be need for getting some other one over time 😁

The Contact with MØAMS/M

Snippet from my log with first QSO, yay!

On 6th of February 2025 in my lunch pause, I decided I want to try to do my first CW contact. I have tuned across the band and found station calling CQ in bearable speed - about 20 WPM. I listened for about 10 minutes until I finally deciphered the callsign (that is because I am still very bad at listining). I had finally took the courage and hoped, that he will not want to chat - because I would not be able to read anything he would send. So I keyed my callsign and he came back! I have made a audio racording, so if interested, check the “video” of my first CW contact ever. It was kind of a cheating, because I had almost no idea what he answered to me, except the signal report and 73. I had to listen over and over again to the recording, until I deciphered what the other party actually sent to me. But in any case, it made me happy and marked the first big milestone for me 😁

You Can Do It!

If you have desire, go for it. It is hard, but I am sure it will pay off with the good feeling and many pleasant QSOs. I am still at the beginning. Thanks to OK7SE, OK1FUN and OK1IF for motivation and ideas on how to start and OK1TED for being my partner in crime in learning and discussing CW-related stuff on our local repeater and probably some other people I forgot to mention 😁

Bonus: one more little video of my third contact - hunting Special event, POTA or WWFF stations is easy and fun, even if you do not understand everything yet, since the QSO protocol is “fixed” and there is no room for chatting. So even if you are beginner, try it, it is great motivation, because you are actually making contacts with real people!