Learning CW (Morse Code) 

I have to say you inspired me to continue on the CW journey John... thank you for your honesty and great attitude. hope to catch on the air sometime

Thanks John for your comments. I've re-watched this video several times. I've struggled with CW for months, and your experience has encouraged me to keep trying.

I don’t feel so lost after hearing your story and for that reason I’m sticking with it! Thank you for helping to keep my dream alive. What better way to spend all this time from the virus by learning CW. 🇺🇸 Not only that- with censorship of our President and the Patriots, we should all be learning this.

Love to see a silent key come back through family. This is an excellent introduction to CW in a real world way. Thank you.

What a fantastic video! I will certainly follow your lead in regards to not competing with others and progressing at my own pace.

Chased this one down after listening to the first QSO. WHAT AN ENCOURAGEMENT!!! Thanks for your transparency John. For 40 years I trained people to learn other languages. I shouldn't have been surprised how many principles of being an effective language learner you brought out. GREAT JOB OM!!! W0RVH

John, I absolutely enjoy your videos - all of 'em! Like you, my Uncle got me in to the hobby as a kid and taught me CW. I love all the modes but always come back to CW. Your advise to all OPS out there was beautifully stated - it's not about competition, but communication! Keep up the great work and see you on down the log. 73 DE KN6PH

Jason, Thanks for following along and for your kind comments. Great to hear you are learning CW, it is by far my favorite mode. I look forward to meeting you on the air soon, you should have lots of folks wanting HI when you get your rig on the air. 73 John/W5CYF

Another good video John, you are 100% correct, no short cuts!! I used the Koch method, and now comfortable at 18-20wpm, I am a big fan of Qrp & straight key, just like it was done back in WWII, I am ex army, and in the late 70's, I started morse, my grandfather used to decode u-boat messages, and I used to be overwhelmed by his stories to me as a child, I use his original straight key! I took a break from ham radio for nearly 15 years, but now with the MFJ CW sets I have, and the joy of QRP, I

Thanks, John. I find myself watching a lot of your videos. Your sincerity, honesty and friendly demeanor are both encouraging and make me wish we were neighbors. The difference between good advice and bad advice has more to do with its delivery than the advice itself. Thanks for both the advice and sincere delivery. I hope to work you on CW... Maybe even regularly.

John, Really enjoy your videos on Ham Radio. Currently studying for my extra and learning CW and I appreciate your frankness and honest explanation of frustrations felt during the process. As you now see, it all works out. Thanks for the inspiration.

I tried to learn Morse code for a long time but never felt confident enough to learn it. This excellent video encouraged me well enough that I quit operating my radio for almost half a year and practiced with G4FON software. Whenever I felt low, I watched John again. I successfully passed the 8 wpm Morse code test which is required for the general grade license in India. Thank you John for your true encouragement, 73 Bijoy VU2FGQ

Hi John, I enjoyed your comments. I've been a ham since 1978 and CW was the start of my hobby, however like most people, I set it aside. I was up to 17wpm when they eliminated the requirement for the extra. I still had the interest, but not the persistance to keep my speed. I decided that I wanted to do SKN this year, so I have been watching different videos and practicing. My Elmer was excellent at CW with both hands, very impressive. It really was a second language to him. Thanks for your gentle Texan encouragement. 73 de Carl, NB7C

Yea John, this is really good and it's what I needed to hear. I'm just starting out learning CW and right now it only seems really fun. Some of those things are life lessons that actually took my whole life to learn. I all the time say "beginnings, middles & endings. I should start in the beginning." The famous golfer Sam Snead replied fairly well when asked "What do you think about your golfing competition?" He said, " I don't play against them, I play against par!"

John, I just passed my General test a week ago. I also just got a Bencher BY-1 key. I have been using some CW apps to practice on the subway to work, here in Seoul. Just wanted to say that your CW videos have been influential in me wanting to begin to learn. Have only seen a few, but I like them. I am currently trying to learn the letters. Thank-you.

Thanks for watching my video and for following along. It took a while but eventually I (almost) have successfully been able to forget the letters and move on. Keep at it and don't give up. CW is by far my favorite mode in radio. Hope to catch you on the air someday. 73/John

Rob, Thanks for the comments and for following along with my videos. Stick with the code and you'll really enjoy it. It is by far my favorite mode! See you on the air. 73 John/W5CYF

John, thanks so much for this video. I stumbled across it as part of my journey of getting back into ham radio. I've been out for 10 years, and I'm loving the new digital modes. But hearing CW and not being able to answer back has motivated me to get back into the code. Listen for me on the bands some day. 73, KG9DW

Great video and thoughts. Thanks for sharing. I recently got my license, KG7KDD, and I've been curious about CW for a while. I've always loved seeing it used in movies where there is that 1 guy that knows cw and saves the day. A lot of your frustrations with cw also reminded me of what I went through with learning Japanese while in Japan for 2 years. Thanks for bringing back some sweet memories. I may or may not endeavor to learn cw but you have brought me closer to choosing to learn it. Thanks :)

John, Tnx for the comments and for following along. I'm still doing CW and it has become my favorite mode by far. Not at 25 wpm just yet but having lots of fun! Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73/John

I like your analysis and how you found the passion. I can see it in your eyes when you speak of your uncle and see what he saw in it. 73 my friend This is -.- -. ....- .--. --- .--.

Sandy in the UK is a legend and total gentleman. He's super with CW too, listen and send at 45 WPM. His channel is WiltshireMan and Jacklore Knives.

Partner, Thanks for being upfront and just plain honest. I'm more motivated to learn CW after seeing your post. Jim KD7JB

Really enjoyed this video John. I got interested in HAM a few months ago and your vids have been inspirational. I am preparing for the tech class test and attempting to learn morse at the same time as CW is the most interesting mode to me. Found an old ARRL publication in public library titled "Morse Code: The Essential Language". Very helpful. Good luck and look forward to more HAM videos from you!

Brett, thanks for your comments and for following along with my videos. I know exactly what you are going through. I had the same experience, (still do!), but stick with it and I think you will really enjoy CW. It is my favorite mode now. Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73 John/W5CYF

I can really relate to what you said about concentrating on deciphering the word and then missing the next few letters. I've been very frustrated with myself not learning as quickly as I expected.

Excellent video and thank you for your wise words. I’ve been learning morse for the last month with LCWO and I beat myself up when I can’t get to the next level. Thank you for putting me at ease. I will stick at it and I will learn the code. My aim is to have my first Qrp CW contact by summer - I’m not sure if I’ll manage that but I’m trying. Thanks again. 73 de Will, M0LGW 👍🏻😊

That's great to hear your philosophy John. I began learning MC 1 week ago. I learned the dits and daws of the numbers in a few minutes and then the alphabet in 3 days. So I began to practice, everything was translated t dits and daws. I can do 5 WPM if it is repeated 3 times, and I'm proud of my myself. However, I hit the learning plateau and I'm getting worse, but that's normal and I'm not discouraged. Now I study techniques taught by the masters and get better. Thanks for your video!

thanks for the video. i greatly appreciate it as i am just now learning Morse. i am not yet discouraged, but hopefully by watching this and paying attention to your tips hopefully i will be less likely to become discouraged.

George, Tnx for your comments. CW is, by far, my favorite mode. Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73/John

Good video, John. I learned code 25 years ago, but I remember the process like it was yesterday. In a way it was easier then because I had to pass the test before I could use code on the air (I live in Sweden). So it was quite easy to set up a goal, hi. I had just got my tech license and had made a couple of QSO:s on the local repeater when I decided that it was time for morse code. Knowing myself I realised that if I got stuck I would give up. So I put EVERYTHING else aside and just trained morse intensively. I used a course from the Swedish military (on cassette tape) that sent the letters at 16wpm but with long spacing (It is much easier to learn the rythm at higher speed). In two weeks I had made it through the course. Then I could ease down and just practice a little every night to make it "stick" to my brain. The test was passed two months later (12wpm), and then I could go on the air. Then I found out that transmitting was much harder than receiving.... I think that it is very important to set up goals and set up a deadline for reaching these goals. And, as you have experienced, never get on the air before you are confident that you really have reached the level that is needed.

Thanks so much for following along and for your kind comments. Sandy has been a real encouragement to me. In many ways he kept me going through some times I wasn't sure if I would ever learn CW! Hpe to cu on the air. 73/John

John, Tnx for your comments and for following along. CW was tough learning, but now it is my favorite mode. There are no shortcuts and I still strive for good, readable code. Speed is improving by just getting on the air. Hope to meet you soon on CW. 73 John/W5CYF

Thanks for sharing, John. This is a great video to encourage anyone learning anything new.

Thanks for your perspective on learning Morse, John. I'm still not a licensed ham (yet) but I'm determined to learn CW as well so hearing your experiences with learning is much appreciated. My route so far has been interesting and probably unusual. I've picked up bits and pieces from listening to two sources: non-directional beacons and shortwave number stations, plus referring to the standard Morse character charts and working with a free Android app on my phone. You can learn to recognize a lot of characters just from hearing short, familiar sequences over and over again. I have maybe 60-75% of the alphabet memorized that way. I can't copy worth a crap yet :-) but I have read that if you can send well, then copying will come much easier. I'm a musician as well, so I hear the musical rhythms in Morse sequences (I've even wrote a couple of songs based on Morse Code :-) ). Whatever helps you is a good thing. Keep at it, you'll get there!

John, I absolutley love your videos. With this one, you hit the nail right on the head. The idea is to have FUN with it. It's as you say, NOT a competition with anyone. If an op can copy 25-30 wpm and only wants to talk with ops at that level, he/she is going to miss out on a LOT of great qsos. I have had an advanced class ticket (Canadian) since 1983 and CW is my favorite mode. Going to FLA next month and do some QRP'ing from the trailer. 73 and keep the vids coming....

I just wanted to say thank you for all your great videos. I have not seen a new one in a long time. Hope everything is well with you and you family.

this is the 1st video I've watched and I'm just starting out on the CW road. tnx for sharing your wisdom

Thanks for the video, John. I've been considering learning CW and find it a bit scary. You've given me some inspiration. Hope to be slinging some dits and dahs your way some time in the not too distant future!

Thanks John. I am going through the struggle of learning CW now and this was very helpful. Some days I can do ok and some days It's like I've never heard it before.

Andy, I apologize for the delayed reply and thanks for your kind works. Things have been extremely busy around here and work had me pretty tied up for the past several months. Hopefully things will slow slow down soon and I'll get back to making videos. All the best, John

I am amazed that anyone would be able to learn code in the private sector. I was an 05H (98H) 27 years ago in the US Army and it was THE most difficult course I have ever taken. It took 6 hours a day 6 days a week for 10 months to pass the 20 wpm final. There was a 50%+ attrition rate for that MOS. It was very strict at 98/100 correct with back to back blocks but I can imagine someone dedicated enough to do this on their own time. Very impressive and thanks for the video.

Very good video. I appreciate the personal perspective and your sharing with us. Very genuine. 73

Thanks John. I'm a youngster trying to start learning CW and this really helped me!

John, this is a really good video with some great advice. I have, off and on, played around with cw ever since I was in high school (an extremely long time ago at this point) and I think (?) maybe now I want to actually do more than "send" in my mind looking at ad copy on the train on my way to work or the random paragraph in a book (not a bad way to learn the letters and punctuation but really useless for copying anything in any form). Thanks again for the advice and encouragement and good luck with your code.

Hi John. Just watched your video from the UK and like you have done, I am contemplating learning CW. I have been licensed for a number of years with the callsign G6JEF but have not done any operating for a long time and am getting back into the hobby after a long layoff. Since I last operated, the HF bands have been opened up to the old class B licence a few jears ago here in the UK and although I don't need to have morse as a condition of my licence now, I feel I would like to learn it nevertheless. I found your comments very encouraging and I have the G4FON software to give a go too. I also follow Sandy too on his bushcraft channel and would eventually like to make contact with you and Sandy oneday on the airwaves. Thanks again for making this video, best 73s, Steve W, G6JEF, Bridlington UK

Good words of encouragement for us newbies. I used to believe that CW was outdated and useless. Not anymore. With the political climate such as it is worldwide CW may, in the end, be what keeps us all in contact. Thanks John!

Wow! Great video. I am now more clam about learning code. I thought that I was the only one struggling with learning code. Afer seeing your video, I now accept that I have to learn at my own speed without putting pressure on myself. Thanks so much making this clear. Not everyone is able to put their thoughts out there. Hope some day to hear you on CW. WP4PBQ from Puerto Rico (Manny)

Thanks for this video John. Don't feel embarrassed at maybe not being as good as someone else, or in needing more time to learn CW. You are speaking for many people I'm sure. I passed the Morse test in 1980 but I didn't go ahead and use it. Now, I'd panic at the thought of having to try to have a CW qso. You've revived my interest though, and you've given me a kick too. Thanks for that. Angus GM4IFC.

Thanks for your comments. Good luck in your commitment to learning CW. Hope to meet you on the air someday. John

I just started learning cw on my cell phone a few weeks ago glad we both see eye to eye on speed. do what you can and you get better with practice. I'm just learning the send for now til I feel comfortable with those. then my program will do receive and later do words and what not. working on studying for tech and general. also looking at radios. Elecraft has grabbed my interest. 10 years in aviation and working as an industrial electrician I want to build my box. lot to chew on but I'm not in a hurry to get on air. Thanks for the video. I checked out your other videos also. Hopefully when I do get transmitting we can catch eachother and work my kinks out in slow motion. 73 Gabe

Thanks, TinkerJohn, for sharing that warm story and your experiences in tacking CW. CW caught my attention and is what got me to be a ham. I haven't put my key in on the air yet but I am indeed following your foot steps. Your leading the way will certainly keep me from discouragement. Thanks! 73 - Eric - KK6ORH

Ed, Tnx for your good comments and for following along. You are correct about CW, it is by far my favorite mode. Hope to work you soon. 73/John

Ed, thanks for the note. It was a struggle for me to learn CW, but now I enjoy it as my favorite mode. Still do some phone, but mostly CW. Hope to meet you on the air soon. I bet you've got some stories to tell! 73 John/W5CYF

Great video, thanks for the encouragement, I'm having some of the same problems learning as you and I am glad to see that not getting discouraged and to keep trying means I will eventually get where I want to be with morse code on the air..

(7) is VERY GOOD. I'm not going to patronise you, this is how it is. I've heard your morse. You've got good speed, good spacing, you are sending Morse that can be read. Accuracy is everything, speed takes care of itself. In 1971, my Air Force Instructor, Flight Sergeant Warren Cork, a Telegraphist/WAG, (Wireless/Air Gunner), Lockheed Hudsons, WW11,said. "Keep your Morse hand supple, exercise it, you may need it some day''. Good advice.

Good luck John. You'll get there. I downloaded the G4FON program yesterday, and I'm right at this minute (12:45am) using it to practice with. It's fantastic !. 73. Angus

I have the same experience. You need a code oscillator and a straight key. Every morning I listen to Morse code from ARRL Code Practice Archive Files for about 15 - 20 minutes. You can download the mp3 files and the text. My goal is to work on 20m in CW with 13 WPM with a straight key. There is no short cut. It will take time to learn CW.

Thanks for following along with my videos and hope to meet you on the air soon. CW of course! 73/John

Les, Tnx for your very kind comments. The effort it took to learn CW was well worth it. CW is now about the only mode I use and enjoy it a lot. I do belong to both FIST and SKCC and enjoy taking part in a sprint from time to time. Perhaps we will meet on the air someday. 73/John

Thank you for the video John, It has hit the spot with me just when I need it to, Im just about getting impatient and want to make contacts but I know im not quite there yet after re-learning the code after a 14 year break. Last time I did it to get on HF this time im doing it to actually use it for fun and it does make a difference in attitude as im not in a rush so can enjoy the journey.

Absolutely beautiful inspiration John, Thanks so much for the video. Have just come back on the radio after 20 years almost, and some of the changes well all i can say is HI HI.. Your comments about CW which is my love are more than correct, I quickly found that if you start as you mean to go on the operator will come down to your speed so that you can under stand what he is saying.. Perseverance is the Key Hi Hi. Hope to catch you on the air sometime for a QSO. Vince. GW0NEC North wales UK.

Gary, Thanks for your comments. You are right on target about the ability of CW to get through in less than desirable conditions. Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73 John

John, Thanks so much for your videos. I am also working on improving my code speed at about 7 to 10 WPM. I have a small QRP station (Norcal 40A) and a Buddipole portable antenna in addition to my regular rig. There truly is something magical about using code! 73's Chuck W7ACI

This is a nice video. Wish it was around when I was learning CW. I just bought a rcvr and listened and learned it that way. I did eventually get my Extra Class License.

Michael, Thanks for watching my videos and for your comment. CW is now my favorite mode and, to me, worth all the effort it took to learn. Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73 John/W5CYF

thanks john ,after 22 years now i dust off the key. i get 5 wpm test 17 years ago then work on my general just only up to 10 wpm , but got the new general and not the code.. stop all cw for years. a friend Tim ac5sh is big time in too cw send me dvd on cw k7qo course. a few weeks go by i stop. 1 year goes by Tim said just go for it go on the air do 5 or 7 wpm don,t stop. so today i have make 9 or 12 qsl on cw now and i love it CW ! i can,t copy fast code or send fast and not 100% but i like cw now more then ever . so don,t stop copy, play and have fun. thank you for the encouragement video,s Dale n3reb

I liked your video a lot. I fall in and out of ham radio as my mood strikes me. I shared many of your frustrations. Thanks.

Mike, Tnx for the comments and for following along. Packing up the mic was the best thing I did. In fact I keep it always put away and very seldom use it today. Love this CW thing! Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73/John

Thanks for your comments and for following along with the videos. Those are some very good suggestions. When I decided to not pressure myself into learning CW, I found it to be much easier. Now I plod along at a speed comfortable for me and enjoy it; in fact CW is by far my favorite mode. Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73 John/W5CYF

Thanks for following along and for your comments. I am still working CW and enjoying it more each day. It really is worth the journey learning! Hope to meet you on the air someday. 73 John/W5CYF

Thanks for your comments and for following along. CW is, by far, my favorite mode and worth all the effort learning. I hope to meet you on the air soon. 73 John

Vince, Tnx for your comment and for watching my videos. Although a struggle for me to learn, I've come to enjoy CW as my favorite mode. I try to get on the air everyday, and everyday it gets easier and I get a little faster. Hope to work you someday. 73/John

Scott, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, Congratulatons on your CW progress. You are correct, the filter does make a difference. I installed the W4QRT filter in my ICOM and was pleased with the results. You may want to check out a video I put up that reviews the install process. Hope to meet you on the air. 73/John

Thanks, John. I am a new ham (technician) KD2DBQ. I have yet to make a contact either voice or CW. I want to learn code, so you're giving me a lot of great information.

Thanks for taking time to leave you comment and for watching my videos. CW has become, by far, my favorite mode. While I'm still slow at 12-15 wpm I can find lots of ops other there that will slow down. Hope to meet you on the air from FL. 73 John/W5CYF

Disagree that your first QSO was "a disaster" John! You learned and got on the air and made a contact! That's HUGE success!! 73's. Tom, N1MQC

Hi John, I'm just getting into ham radio, passed the technician class. I'm very interested in the cw aspect and am determined to learn code. great advice and congrats on the achievement.

You're spot on there. I play guitar and now learning piano. You echo my sentiments exactly. Great morse is music to my ears. Unfortunately, I practice with machine morse and it does make a difference when you listen to real operational morse. Rgds Don

Thanks for the words of encouragement, I'm wanting to start learning CW and looking for the best ways to learn it.

Thanks for the comments and for following along. CW has become my favorite mode for radio. Hpe to meet you soon. 73/John

Thanks for your comments. While not required, as far as I know, for any formal military use, Morse code is actually growing in use among amateur radio operators. All the best, John

Thanks for the great talk John. I'm studying for my license now and working on learning code. I think that I needed to hear what you had to say and I will take it to heart. I'm retired and I'm getting back to what I started to do about 35 years ago. I too would be interested to hear what you have to say about straight key vs paddle. Edit: I found your videos on key vs paddle. Thanks again John.

Thanks John, that certainly sounds like honesty to me. I have been putting off learning code until I found a vintage brass key, but it was really just an excuse for myself, a key would be of little use for the early stages of learning to copy anyway. I put in my first real effort just tonight, and did well on a random run of my first four characters. I find it interesting that Morse is more popular than ever, at least here (VK), since it's no longer a requirement.. Go figure! Great way to honour someone, taking on their call, and then also understanding their passion through hard work. Great job :) hope to meet you one day. VK4FAST was actually a pre-commitment to proficient code.

Thanks for your comments and for following my videos. CW has by far become my favorite mode. Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73/John

Read the article in 2013 QST magazine entitled, "Discover which mode offers the most mileage". CW is as much as 17 db more effective than ssb. A 100 watt cw station can be as effective as one running 5000 watts on ssb. As a 14 year old kid, I found cw easy to learn and use. When I discovered how effective it was for working dx, I never looked back. Proficiency comes with use. Over 50 years later, I care little about ssb. Follow the operating techniques/protocol found in the ARRL Operating Manual for using cw and make yourself an A1 operator. 73!

Hey John I enjoyed your story about your uncle, I've had a hate love relationship with CW "I know your saying isn't that love hate?" no I actually hated it then fell in love with it. back when I started in Ham Radio my Elmer was a really great cw operator but all I wanted was to pass that test to get my novice then Tech license so I could use 2 meter and the Phone patch. In 1988 I won a Icom -735 at a ham fest in IN and in order to use Phone portion of the HF frequencies I had to get my general which meant I had to get up to 13 wpm on my code so i cracked down and got my speed up passed my general class and much to my surprise found myself rarely ever getting on HF phone instead I filled the logbook with mostly CW contacts been loving it ever since. like they say without CW its just CB.

Hi John, really enjoyed your video on CW. been off the air for some time and thank you for an excellent reminder of just do your own thing and not chase speed over having fun. Well done, de G4 PSS Steve.

John, very inspiring! I just started working on learning CW (again)... I never got to the point of really grasping it the first time. Determined to make it happen now, and enjoyed your comments. Take care and hope to work you one of these days. 73, KC0TQD

Congratulations John. Learning CW is a challenge, and nothing worth anything comes easily. You have work at it. I love CW and have enjoyed this mode for 25 years. My first CW contact was probably the scariest thing I have ever done. If you haven't already please join the Straight Key Century Club (it's free) and FISTS. You will find a great group of people who encourage everyone and speed doesn't matter. I look forward to hearing you on the air and having a CW QSO. C U L es 73

Dave, Tnx for the comments and for following along. It took me a while and I'm still slower than a lot of folks, but CW is without doubt my favorite mode. Hope to catch you on the air someday. 73 John

Thanks for your comments on both videos. While it was somewhat of a challenge to learn CW at my age, it is now my favorite mode. Hope to meet you on the air soon. 73 John/W5CYF

Great video, thank you for the candid comments on your continuing journey using CW. I am a new ham (one year on now) and have just turned my attention to CW, with the goal to test for the endorsement in the fall. So I appreciate the tips especially the one about just sitting at your radio and listening to CW as it is received in real-life at my own QTH. Love the channel, and look forward to each new video.. Jason, VE1AJK

As a Ham who also plays musical instruments I think I know what the fascination with CW is. It's like playing an instrument. It's an art, it's physical and it's mental. It's addicting. It's downright enjoyable. You might want to know that I stopped your video in the middle, went outside and hung a Random Wire Antenna and came back in to finish the Video. The Ham version of Multi-Tasking I guess.... Thanks for your Thoughtful Video - Ed/KB6DRN/Central California.

Great to hear the experience of learning Morse from others. I'm a Morse only op' so interested in all things Morse. I found this video very interesting from start to finish. Good to hear mention of Sandy over here in the UK too, he's a great CW man and also has some really good video's on RU-vid. Credit to you for your efforts in CW. Keep it up and hope to work you some day. G0SDT.

John: I started HAM radio for CW about 18 months ago and agree with you that there is no shortcut. Like you, I am good with 15 wpm and do my best to not copy on paper or keyboard. The down side is that CW is an alien activity like boarding a moving train and not falling off. The up side is that CW is an alien activity like boarding a moving train and not falling off; you can see the tracks built in your mind as you eliminate each deficiency.

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. CW has become my favorite mode by far. Hope to meet you on the air sometime soon. 73 John/W5CYF

I *am* encouraged, John, I'm a new ham, just passed the first license test and am thinking about what to get for my first rig -- why not CW from the get go? I love old technology and the challenge of learning the code will help to stave off the Alzheimers! LOL Not sure how many hams relish it in eastern NC where I am, but jumping into CW as my first foray into amateur radio is really appealing to me. Also I notice the older used CW dedicated tansceivers are a lot cheaper to buy.

I'm just beginning to get into CW. Thanks for the information. Hope it makes me as happy as it has you.

Makal, thanks for watching and for your comments. I also was encouraged by wanting to use CW for backpack portable. Keep up the study and I'll meet you on the air soon. I'm still on the lookout for slow speed CW. It has become my favorite mode and seldom do voice anymore. CU on CW es 73 ---John