How are you learning CW?
Self study? CW Ops class?
CWops CW Academy is great. I was a mentor a few years ago and taught a class there over Skype. I’m not sure how they’re doing it now, but they’re a great group. https://cwops.org/cw-academy/
Weird story: I tried cwops during covid. One of the other students ALWAYS called while they were driving and it was so damn distracting. I talked to the teacher about it but nothing seemed to come out of it. They refunded my course but I haven’t gone back.
I thought the cwops class was free?
You right. It wasn’t CWops, it was the long island club.
For me it was self study to begin with. I was lucky to have a lot of time during covid andade use of that by delving into lcwo.net. passed my telegraphist exam before I got my license. Eaier this year I got into a CWops intermediate class and found the peer-pressure/friendly-competition aspectgreat for helping me improve.
Since that, it’s just been making QSOs and gradually increasing my speed. I’m ragchewing comfortably at 20wpm now, but setting my keyer between 22-25, to push my comfort zone.
Currently taking the self study approach and focusing on receive. To keep it interesting I’m using the MorseMania app. Sometimes I focus better while walking so I also use recording from Morse Code Ninja. I’ve tried copying station on 20m and 40m but I’m only able to pick out bits and peices. Hoping I’ll get there soon.
Receiving CW is definitely harder than sending!
I’d recommend you keep listening to the bands. Over time you’ll be able to pick out more and more. Then one day you’ll listen to an over and just understand it, and it will be magical.
I had the ARRL CDs when I was a kid, and I sort of learned it then. When I got back into radio I just used LCWO.net on my own. Then lots of SOTA activations.
Built a morserino about a year ago. It’s been great to learn on. Just gotta sit down and put at least 30min a day on it. http://www.morserino.info/
These things are cool. I was given a Bencher BY1 from the son of a silent key. This was the first use the key got since 2007. Kind of nice to have a really nice key and an awesome platform to learn on. Highly recommend this platform
They keep the firmware updates too. Also love that you can find/run a morserino server, connect to it with the morserino, and work with others practicing
Have you tried the LoRa functionality?
Just to test it out with an HT I have. Probably couldn’t trx to anyone near me.
Started with lcwo.net Then continued in a small group. Still not on band but in a kind of conference call (zello). First time on band was a sked with members of that group. Continue learning with apps and lcwo to become more comfortable with QRS and also to improve speed while doing QSOs…
