Back at CW

It has truly been some time since I put my fist on the desk and practiced the Morse Code. Yeah, I know it is no longer required in order to a licensed Amateur Extra and there are some in the hobby who are still bitter about the FCC’s decision over this. They call it a “dumbing down of the hobby.” But I am not here to discuss that, but the fact that I am still working on improving my fist.

I have been frequently an IRC channel that is for ham radio. I have spoke with another ham, AE5IR, who is struggling, like myself at, listening to the dits and dahs without counting them and be able to make out the words. If I miss a letter, I end up getting behind and miss two or three more. Before I know it I have missed have the QSO.

I found plans courtesy of N2UHC for a practice code oscillator thanks in part to K0PYB and further discussion with AE5IR. I have never attempted any home brew projects, but I think this oscillator is so simple, “even a caveman could do it.” With any luck I can stop by Radio Shack and pick up the necessary parts and have this oscillator built by Friday.

Much of the information I have read regarding learning CW tells me to get on air and make contacts. Online programs and software are worthwhile to a point, but nothing replaces the real world exchange with another ham. To date, I have not made any QSOs on any band using CW. In fact, I only have one SSB QSO (KH6) and approximately 127 PSK31 QSOs. So I would like to improve my proficiency and start using CW.