CW certified?

[K7NNR]

I am starting to learn CW and am having a good time doing it. I was just wondering if one can still get "certified " for speed? I am not learning CW for the certificate, but it would be cool to have something to hang in the shack if such a thing is still offered now that code is no longer mandatory.

I did try to do a search for this subject but I get errors every time I try to search.

[N2NKW]

Dunno bout the errors but as far as "Getting Certified" in an official manner, you will get nothing from the FCC. You can get recognition by other groups such as "FISTS" and other pro CW groups.

[ke4ky]

pm sent

[KU0DM]

I am certified, I operate CW.
I passed the 5 wpm when it was still around but now days, the only certification is operating!
Have fun!
73

[N8UZE]

Quote[/b] (KU0DM @ Nov. 04 2007,12:17)]I am certified, I operate CW.
I passed the 5 wpm when it was still around but now days, the only certification is operating!
Have fun!
73
The ARRL still sponsors an award for code proficiency. I don't believe you have to be a member either. Look it up on their website.

[wa9cwx]

I suspect some of the larger clubs may start a certification program.

In the mid 70s, one of the local Hamfest sponsoring clubs did testing for just that.
I still have my 35 WPM certificate on the wall.

That was handwritten 35 wpm.

I agree, it would be cool to see someone offer recognition for your effort and skill.

Frank

[K5FH]

The closest you can come these days is the W1AW Qualifying Runs, but they're an "honor system" certification - you send in a signed affadavit that you copied such-and-such qualifying run at XX WPM and you get a certificate. #Not quite in the same class as having an FCC examiner certify your code speed.

I propose that VECs start a code speed certification program, administered at exam sessions on a voluntary basis for a nominal fee. #You pass the receiving and sending tests, the VECs sign off and send the request to ARRL HQ, and a serial-numbered certificate comes in the mail. #That way, you can point to your ARRL code speed certification as proof that you can, indeed, copy code at a certain speed.

The certificates could be in a searchable database on the ARRL website. #That could be a good membership and marketing tool for the ARRL, since the League would probably stipulate that you have to be a member of ARRL to use this service.

Having 3 volunteer examiners sign off on the certification would, in most people's minds, be acceptable proof of proficiency. #It might even attenuate the no-code vs. know-code debate somewhat (dream on...).

[KC2PBJ]

Quote[/b] (KU0DM @ Nov. 04 2007,11:17)]I am certified, I operate CW.
I passed the 5 wpm when it was still around but now days, the only certification is operating!
Have fun!
73
There are those who use cw and are, thus, certified. #There are those of us returning to cw that are just "certifiable". #Trying to copy some of the QSO's on 20 (at 30+ wpm) usually has me lying on the floor in the shack with grande mal tremors and neurons freely flowing from my ears. 20 is as far as I've gotten. As to the end result of "voluntary" testing by VE's and clubs, we would likely find a resurrection of the code-no code wars by the Zed curmudgeon patrol. Do we really need this or must we begin to flaggelate the decease equine once more?

[k5jyd]

What ? Some hams are still looking for bragging rights in regards to cw ? Too late ! Todays hams have what most wanted, a no code ticket which includes no bragging rights.
k5jyd

[n3ef]

Quote[/b] (k5jyd @ Nov. 05 2007,12:18)]Todays hams have what most wanted, a no code ticket which includes #no bragging rights.
What bragging right did the 5wpm so called "proficiency" test give? I'd be embarassed to brag over that!

Eric N3EF

[ky5u]

Unofficial practice tests to check how you're doing... (http://www.aa9pw.com/radio/morse_new.html)

[W0BKR]

ARRL offers a Code Proficiency Award. Nice to hang on the wall, but doesn't count towards any metric anywhere...kinda like Rag Chewers Club.

[al7n]

Why not do it right? Want "Certification"?

You can still take the FCC
Commercial Radiotelegraph Second Class exam and get a Second class commercial radiotelegraph ticket......Gotta do it from a volunteer examining outfit somewhere nowadays , but it still can be done....Costs money and I don't know what you would do with the license, (it is valid for working on certain kinds of radio equipment) but there it is, if you want "real certification".

It takes a pretty thorough technical exam, and the code
speeds are 20 WPM plain text, and 16 code groups per minute for the 2nd class. Ya gotta copy by ear, legible copy, and ya gotta be able to send it with a straight key
to the satisfaction of the examiner.

Kinda hard now to upgrade to a First Class Radiotelegraph ticket now though, (you need to document a year's service actually handling "public correspondence" by radiotelegraph (Morse) at a shipboard or coastal station for hire, and take a yet higher speed code test) but you can still get and hold a Second Class ticket without any service requirement.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (K5FH @ Nov. 04 2007,10:15)]The closest you can come these days is the W1AW Qualifying Runs, but they're an "honor system" certification - you send in a signed affadavit that you copied such-and-such qualifying run at XX WPM and you get a certificate. Not quite in the same class as having an FCC examiner certify your code speed.

I propose that VECs start a code speed certification program, administered at exam sessions on a voluntary basis for a nominal fee. You pass the receiving and sending tests, the VECs sign off and send the request to ARRL HQ, and a serial-numbered certificate comes in the mail. That way, you can point to your ARRL code speed certification as proof that you can, indeed, copy code at a certain speed.

The certificates could be in a searchable database on the ARRL website. That could be a good membership and marketing tool for the ARRL, since the League would probably stipulate that you have to be a member of ARRL to use this service.

Having 3 volunteer examiners sign off on the certification would, in most people's minds, be acceptable proof of proficiency. It might even attenuate the no-code vs. know-code debate somewhat (dream on...).
The only "fly in THAT ointment" would be getting at least 3 VE's that can copy 13, 20, or even 35 WPM, otherwise how could they certify sending performance? Reception with perfect copy certainly could be verified, but not sending ability.

[ab1ga]

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ Nov. 06 2007,21:05)]The only "fly in THAT ointment" #would be getting at least 3 VE's that can copy 13, 20, or even 35 WPM, otherwise how could they certify sending performance? #Reception with perfect copy certainly could be verified, but not sending ability.
This may be one of those instances where CW reader software may be fully reliable. Connect the key to a piece of standardized hardware and software, set it running, and have the applicant sending. Then, compare the sent code with the reference file, and you're done.

Under these conditions, one could state that if the reader package can't decipher what's being sent, the applicant fails the test.