CW Interest on the rise?

[n8xe]

Hey guys,

Not trying to start a flame war here nor start anything about no-code vs. code. I posted this subject on the SKCC list last week. Wanted to see what other hams think as well.

I am wondering if CW interest is on the rise even though there is not a code requirement anymore. I have talked to some local hams on 2M that passed their general without the code requirement that had no intention of getting into CW. Now they are learning it and they really are jumping in with both feet. Some have started getting into traffic handling on CW.

It is encouraging to see this. I am a member of SKCC and the ranks of that club are growing pretty fast. Everyday I hear SKCC activity around the SKCC calling frequencies. Maybe because it is a new club and it is exciting and this is a typical thing.

The QRP movement also seems to be encouraging the rise of CW.

Anyways, was wondering if others have noticed this trend.

73,
Jason N8XE

Disclosure statement: Yes, I am a CW op and that is my primary mode of operation :)

[K0DXC]

It sure is! A great thing also, I hear way more activity in CW contest then phone and I always hear plenty of stations during the day. If anyone else tells me they can't, I say they spend to much money on the radios and need to put more into the antennas\

you can also work much more DX on CW, another great thing

[w8gtf]

Personally, I'm trying my best to learn code.

I'm not so sure if I would have gotten my ticket back when code was required if I wouldn't have learned enough to pass. And never messed with it due to the bad test in my mouth over learning it.

[K0DXC]

The code is hard to learn when you first start out. I had an advantage because I'm so young. I suggest that you do what I did. Get a piece of paper with all the morse characters printed on it (with the letters by them of course) and just get on the air and call a reeeeaaaaallllllllllyyyy slow CQ. It worked for me, now I am over 30wpm send and receive because I got on the air and practiced. I didn't like the cd way of learning it because I have so much energy that I could never listen to the whole thing




73




K0DXC

[kl7aj]

Flame or no flame, facts is facts. CW is alive n kickin...and kickin more than ever.

[kf6rdn]

I think so. I know people that resented having it forced on 'em via testing and didnt use it, that later regretted it via the "hey this is actually kinda cool!, wished I'd actually remeberd it, instead of re-learning it"

And one of those people would be me.

[K0DXC]

It sure as Heck Is! :)

makes me want to smile :)

maybe one more time :)


my face hurts... :(

[K0DXC]

I meant the CW on the rise

[K8MHZ]

I teach amateur radio class at West Michigan Technical Academy (W8MTA). I have two no-code techs going to test for their General this Saturday. They both are very interested in learning Morse Code. In fact, they have suggested that we start devoting some time in class to work on Code. No one in my classes (I have been teaching for three years now) have said that they did not want to try to learn Morse Code.

What's so cool about Morse is the different ways it can be sent. My kid and I 'magic tricks' where I tap words out on her shoulder. Her hair covers my hand so her friends can't see what I am doing, they think it is telepathy!

It's also fun to use the horn on my van to send Morse Code. If I see a ham on the street I either send '73' or 'CQ' with my horn and it always generates a look and a smile.

At one class I 'taught' a lady how to copy code in 10 minutes. I had the president of our club pick words out of a book and I sent them with a practice keyer at about 4 wpm and she de-coded them. What the pres didn't know was that the lady was using a chart that he couldn't see and was following the dits and the dahs with her eyes through the chart which led to the letters I was sending. I gave up our 'secret' after sending a few words but the class was still impressed that someone could read Code after only 10 minutes of training, no matter what the method was.

Morse Code is by far the most efficient means of sending messages as it takes the least amount of equipment. It can be done by many means, even blinking a person's eyes. That was done by an Iranian hostage on TV and it probably saved his life as well as the other captor's.

I take dropping the Code requirement with mixed emotions, but it sure did nothing to drive any nails in it's coffin, in fact it may have just breathed some life into it by taking the pressure off people that desire to learn it at their own pace.

Morse is no longer a hazing ritual, it is a free choice and that is something Americans revel in. Thus, it may have been a good promotion tool to drop it as a requirement.

I guess we will see for sure as time goes by.

[k3wrv]

Every amateur should KNOW code, and I'm really happy to see that a lot of new ops are talkng the time to use it and learn it. Although I mostly do SSTV now, I can still do about 25 on the J-38, and often will finish up a QSO on a fast fading band with a quick 73 on cw. It's certainly the most efficient mode for weak sigs because of the narrow bandwidth, and because of how well you can copy it into the noise level. The ARRL and FCC should never have dropped it as a requirement, because you had to listen on the air to learn it, and you learned a lot by doing that - abouit Lids, QRM, and such. And you can do it better in your head than you can with most other modes.

[EDIT] CW makes you listen to what's being said.

I love CW, and it's one of my favorite modes, and it just WORKS. But unfortunately, Time will tell if others feel about it the way you and I do. But only time will tell how long it sticks around. Most new Amateurs don't stick around that long.

de bob

47 years on the air, es gng fer 48

[w2kls]

I passed my tech and general license without having to do an ounce of code. To tell you the truth, I feel a little guilty about that. I'm beginning this week to learn code with a few elmers who helped me get my license. Knowing code would make me part of the fraternity of ham operators. As my friend says "If you don't know code, you don't know dit!"

[kc4umo]

. As my friend says "If you don't know code, you don't know dit!"


That is a good saying. But dont let it make you fell guilty. The ones that dropped the code should do that. You did what was required.

Good for you in wanting to learn code. Once you do it, you will not regret it.

I started with code when I got a pair of cb radio walkie talkies at a young age. Channel 14. Me and my brother had a blast. These things had the "di dah" beside the letters on the front. Did not even know ham radio existed.

Darn, I said code and cb in the same post.

[KI4WCA]

CW is the most bang for the buck you can get.No computer needed, real basic transmitter requirements.It will be around for a long time.Especially for those that get a kick out of building qrp rigs you can fit in your pocket...and afford to build!

[AB8XA]

To answer the OP, I've only been at this a year, but it definitely seems there's more CW today than a year ago, much of the increase as slower code, and much of it straight key. I infer from that, more new to CW.

[K0RGR]

Great - I hope there is an increase in CW on the bands.

The nice thing about it now is that the people who are learning code are doing so because they want to, and they intend to use it on the air.

It doesn't take long, I think, for a ham on HF to realize that SSB is not all there is. Non-voice modes have real advantages much of the time.

[KA2P]

Hey guys,

Not trying to start a flame war here nor start anything about no-code vs. code. I posted this subject on the SKCC list last week. Wanted to see what other hams think as well.

I am wondering if CW interest is on the rise even though there is not a code requirement anymore. I have talked to some local hams on 2M that passed their general without the code requirement that had no intention of getting into CW. Now they are learning it and they really are jumping in with both feet. Some have started getting into traffic handling on CW.

It is encouraging to see this. I am a member of SKCC and the ranks of that club are growing pretty fast. Everyday I hear SKCC activity around the SKCC calling frequencies. Maybe because it is a new club and it is exciting and this is a typical thing.

The QRP movement also seems to be encouraging the rise of CW.

Anyways, was wondering if others have noticed this trend.

73,
Jason N8XE

Disclosure statement: Yes, I am a CW op and that is my primary mode of operation :)

Jason,

I agree there seems to be a trend, mainly due to the ease in which one can make CW contacts under marginal conditions, low power, and no gain antennas. Many of the posts here from new hams are filled with complaints of overcrowding, rude operators, and less than stellar performance using SSB. Recent DXpeditions aside, rude operators and intentional QRM seem pretty tame on CW. Even during contests, you can often find space to ragchew, which is a major complaint of phone ops. I just recently added my call to the SKCC roster and now use a Russian Army hand key alongside my paddles. In short, CW is "made" for ham radio, if one is willing to invest the time to learn it.

[n8xe]

Jason,

I agree there seems to be a trend, mainly due to the ease in which one can make CW contacts under marginal conditions, low power, and no gain antennas. Many of the posts here from new hams are filled with complaints of overcrowding, rude operators, and less than stellar performance using SSB. Recent DXpeditions aside, rude operators and intentional QRM seem pretty tame on CW. Even during contests, you can often find space to ragchew, which is a major complaint of phone ops. I just recently added my call to the SKCC roster and now use a Russian Army hand key alongside my paddles. In short, CW is "made" for ham radio, if one is willing to invest the time to learn it.

Glad you joined! It is a great club. I really enjoy the QSOs and the folks who are involved. I have not had this much fun since I started CW back in 98 when I was doing straight key on the 40M novice band.

I have recently been using bugs. I sold my paddles and keyer since I have been using the bugs exclusively. In fact, in the 160M contest this past weekend, I only used my lightning bug the entire contest. I made about 151 contacts. It is way more fun in manual mode.

Anyways, sounds like you got a really cool key there!

Have fun!

Jason N8XE
SKCC #3806

[NY7Q]

I Didnt Know It Went Down(interest, That Is)
The Bands Are Jamming With Cw 24 7

[K0DXC]

Great - I hope there is an increase in CW on the bands.

The nice thing about it now is that the people who are learning code are doing so because they want to, and they intend to use it on the air.

It doesn't take long, I think, for a ham on HF to realize that SSB is not all there is. Non-voice modes have real advantages much of the time.


It never went down in the first place

[ab9lz]

Chatting with a mic is fun now and then, but for me, it doesn't match the excitement of a good morse QSO.

With several kids and a barking dog in the shack on occasion, it also happens to be one of the modes where the station on the other end isn't exposed to the ongoing kaos.

73 m/4

[ab9lz]

Hey guys,
The QRP movement also seems to be encouraging the rise of CW.


QRP phone is pretty challenging, I'm lucky to make several hundred mile contacts, and usualy requires an understanding op on the other end to deal with the "less than stellar" signal. The situation is better on 10 meters though.

With CW, it's not unusual to work DX to EU, and have even managed Perth Australia with 5 watts. That said, PSK31 is pretty efficiant as well, unfortunatly there is the considerable overhead* of needing a PC to make it all work.

73 m/4

*most take the expense and complexity of a PC for granted.

[kn4ds]

I didn't like the cd way of learning it because I have so much energy that I could never listen to the whole thing

Ah, yes, ADD.

The important part is not how you learned it, but that you did.

[KD6NIG]

I don't know if its on the rise, but I've been a Hank Williams Jr. fan for years.

Oh, you mean Morse Code. "CW" means something different to some people I know :)

Sorry! :D

[KA4DPO]

QRP phone is pretty challenging, I'm lucky to make several hundred mile contacts, and usualy requires an understanding op on the other end to deal with the "less than stellar" signal. The situation is better on 10 meters though.

With CW, it's not unusual to work DX to EU, and have even managed Perth Australia with 5 watts. That said, PSK31 is pretty efficiant as well, unfortunatly there is the considerable overhead* of needing a PC to make it all work.

73 m/4

*most take the expense and complexity of a PC for granted.


True, PSK can work almost as well as CW under most conditions but like you said, you need a PC to make it work. The beauty of CW is that it can be operated using the most simple gear.

[W4INF]

A year after I started trying to learn Morse Code, and Im still trying to learn it! HA HA! But I refuse to give up! I want more proficiency! I can send half way decent (see avatar), but I am still poor at decoding by ear (computer support there).

73 SK

[N9MOQ]

I am wondering if CW interest is on the rise even though there is not a code requirement anymore.


I think that interest in CW will now rise, BECAUSE of the fact it it no longer a requirement. Now people will not being learning code because they are being pressured into learning it, but those that learn now will be doing so because they WANT to learn it.

No more pressure of how many WPM they can do, or if they can pass a test, they can learn at their own speed on their own terms. For FUN.

It reminds me of all the kids that were forced to take piano lessons, because their parents forced them to, every day for an hour or more per day, and really learned to HATE piano, and never played it later in life as adults. And then all those kids that picked up a guitar or keyboard and started tinkering around with it, practicing on it, because they WANTED to, and ended up playing in a band.

Don't think that the requirement is what kept CW alive, if anything, I beleive it was killing it, giving it a "negative" feeling to many hams and potential hams.

There is always a strong antique and nostalgic group out there that will always collect and value antique ham radios and equipment. Some of these antique ham radios were made for CW use only, no microphones.

The collectors will most likely want to USE them, thus will learn the code.

I collect old telephones and am thankfull that the phone company still accepts rotary pulse dialing, so I can actually USE the phones.

So long as CW is still allowed to be used on the bands, there will always be people collecting antique radios that will want to use them as they were used back in the days they were made. People will always collect old telegraph keys and want to learn how to use them, and ham radio will always be here to allow them the fun to actually put them to use to communicate in the historic way we used to communicate before microphones were invented.

I don't know of any hams or group that ever wanted to BAN CW from the bands. So no worries.

NOSTALGIA will keep CW alive, and dropping the CW requirement will only help keep it alive.

I know a few hams that never had any intentions of upgrading past no-code tech, and now that the requirement has dropped, they suddenly have an interest in it and HF. However, they wonder why the MFJ Morse tutor, instead of dropping down in price now that the code requirement has been dropped, has actually gone UP to around $80!

That Pocket Morse Tutor is one of the best ways to learn. It can randomize, instead of tapes, which are the same every time, or computer programs that you can only use when around a computer. You can take that thing anywhere, and set Farnsworth, speed, and customize it to work the way you want it to. It's a great unit, but I was fortunate to find a used one at a hamfest for $10. There is no way I would have paid $80 for it!

One thing about learning CW will be different now that the requirement has been dropped. Everyone that learns code now, will USE it. There would be no other reason for them to learn it!

Before now, many that learned it, did so just to be allowed on HF to use voice, and never used CW.

But anyone that learns it now, is learning it because they want to USE it.

Now they will get on HF BEFORE learning it, and will hear it being used, as they tune around on the bands, and take an interest in it!

Dropping the requirement was the BEST thing that could happen to CW, in my opinion.

And even though the legal requirement has been dropped, unfortunately there are still too many hams that are constantly still obsessed with forcing it onto others, and so until that finally stops, it is still going to keep some of the "negativety" attached to learning CW.

Why not use reverse psychology?

There is a lot of history and nostalgia related to Morse Code.

That's enough to keep it around for a long time. And the fact that the only service around still using it, being ham radio, means a lot of people may get ham licenses just so they can actually use and transmit with some of those historic antique radios and keys.

Where else can one actually USE them?

[k4kyv]

On 80m since the phone band expansion, the remaining "cw band" is packed more densely with signals. Reminds me of the way it was in the 60's, except that back then the cw portion was full of signals from 3500 through the novice band at 3750. I'm not sure if there are actually more cw stations on the air, or if they are simply crammed into less space on the band. But contrary to many cries of doom when the phone bands were expanded, it is still easy to work cw. I actually like it better than I did when I had to tune through kHz after kHz of empty space to find a cw signal here or there in a nearly vacant band. Of course, now it helps to have an appropriate 300-500Hz cw filter in the receiver. Much of the groaning in cw ranks was because it was becoming be more difficult to work cw while receiving with a 3.5 kHz SSB bandpass filter.

During the cw contest on 160 this past weekend, I think I heard more stations on the air at the same time than I have ever heard before during a cw contest on any band or under any other circumstance for that matter. Normally, 160 is pretty quiet here, but they really came out of the woodwork for the contest. I wonder where they are the rest of the year. Most of those signals were pretty strong. (Naturally, all signals, weak and strong, were 599. :rolleyes:) Given the difficulty in getting an effective antenna on top band, I couldn't imagine so many stations would use their 160m setup only one or two weekends a year.

OTOH, I have found the activity during SSB contests to be down. I am not a contester, and used to dread the thought of a SSB contest weekend, particularly Sweepstakes and the PA QSO Party. This year, during both events, there was plenty of room on the band for non-contest work, though I suspect, at least on 75m, that the phone band expansion may have relieved some of the congestion.

[k3msb]

NOSTALGIA will keep CW alive, and dropping the CW requirement will only help keep it alive.

Don’t forget the practical daily benefits of using CW.

I’d much rather use CW in a rare DX slugfest. Working BS7H, 3Y0X etc was grueling enough on CW; I can’t imagine doing it on SSB (well, I can….).

CW is essential for VHF work. When the DX (which may be a rare grid half way across the US) is just above the noise level, CW will get it more often than not. During VHF contests, whenever stations are passed up to 144 and 432, it’s usually CW that’s used.

[KI4PRK]

CW FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, just *had* to do that!

Seriously, I hear tons of people on CW. And I do think it's on the rise. Take Calvin (K0DXC) and I. Two FB+ 30+ WPM operators, each age 13. I've kicked the speed up to 40 in contests when I'm feeling good.

I think CW will stay alive for as long as Ham Radio stay's alive. And I agree that dropping the requirment helped. And I think dropping the code test was a good idea.

Hey calvin, I can do it too! KI4PRK :)

73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13

[KB1KIX]

I work with a lot of classes here.

Funny thing - I have more new hams asking about learning CW.

It's also heard a lot more here!

Jonathan

[n8xe]

Hey guys,

Great responses here! And it is awesome to see younger hams using CW.

I participated in the 160M CW contest this past weekend and had a blast. There was a ton of ops on the band. I was amazed. This was also the first contest using all manual keys like my straight key and bugs.

Keep it up guys!! CW is such a great mode and it is encouraging to see it live on.

73, N8XE
Jason

[K1CJS]

It certainly does seem like it--code becoming more popular, that is. It was said by some that it would happen that way.

[N8CPA]

Come on, Jay! You know that's impossible. Nobody uses Morse anymore. People can't learn it, anymore--not in this era of Wii can play!

;)

[W4HAY]

I talk to quite a few OTs that (after decades on other modes) are getting back into CW. And not a few that are re-discovering the pleasures of the Straight Key.

[wa3vjb]

I never thought there was much to support the argument CW would wither once the license requirement was dropped.

It was more likely that people who enjoy CW, myself included, would continue to participate in the mode and activity, and others would join up on the merit of the activity, not because it was a licensing prerequisite.

It makes sense that CW activity today should be rising as people check it out because they WANT to.

--Paul/VJB

[N8MME]

On the local repeaters I am hearing a lot of people say that they are working on learning code or exchanging ideas on how to better learn code even though they don't have to. They have been exposed to enough of it that it has really seemed to peak their interest and they are learning it for the right reasons. Code is good. :D