The following article, linked below, is considered essential reading for anyone new to electronic (paddle) keying as well as those who do not want to limit the possibility of operating at higher speeds (QRQ). Learning to use a twin “iambic” paddle with electronic keyer is going to hamper your QRQ […]
Yearly Archives: 2023
Some of advanced posts here may have the effect of making you think CW is hard enough to learn and on air is going to be even more daunting! So I want to dispel any such thoughts with this post, as this is not the case. Firstly let me say […]
SUMMARY: you MUST ALWAYS end a CQ with a K Let us look at why, and the harm being done by those who do not do so! Sadly some of the good CW operators in recent years have read a book published by the IARU called: Ethics and Operating Procedures […]
Is there a need for CW Calling Frequencies, rather than only “Centres of Activity”? And if so, will it increase or decrease on air activity? What would be the advantages? And how to use them? NOTE: This information has been superseded with QSX/Calling Frequencies now in operation CW can be […]
How can we handle a QSO if we are open to a longer chat but do not want to push the other operator who may not wish to do so, or who may not have more free time? This is a question we may sometimes ask, and there is an […]
Let us take a look at the art of calling CQ and various styles and methods that would be appropriate to what you are aiming to achieve, and how we can improve our results from CQ calls and get more replies and thus more Quality Telegraphy Time. Perhaps you have […]
As part of our advanced practices for Quality True Telegraphists, we will take a look at the traditional and current practices of checking a frequency is free before using it, and how we might improve upon these practices. So, you are now ready to make a CQ call. How do […]
A recent trend among less experienced CW operators, who often lack the luxury of being guided by an experienced but still up-to-date Old Timer, or the confusion of a myriad of Apps and websites giving contradicting information, is the misuse of the “dit dit” and this post will address this. […]
As explained well in “Zen and the Art of Radiotelegraphy”, CW today is continually evolving. As Quality True Telegraphists this is an important subject for us, so we must understand this correctly. This post will address the general subject of the evolving CW protocols or procedures, and give an example […]
77 = “Long Live CW and wishing you many happy CW QSO” For the history of this code see http://vkcw.wikidot.com/77 Note that in CW it isn’t necessary to send both 73 and 77, as it is sometimes held that “73” is also contained within the meaning of “77” for CW […]