CW Activity
CW activities are hosted by Sean, N3RTW
CW Net (Morse Practice Net) – Wednesday nights: see here
CW Programs
Following is a listing of various programs for learning the Morse code and improving proficiency. I use all of these programs at various times for various purposes. Each one builds on a variety of techniques of Morse code reception.
Programs 1 through 4 provide the brute force of developing Morse code skill: practice, practice, practice. Programs 5 and 6 have a more relaxed, enjoyable element about them as you will be listening to stories and text (Program 5) and current events (Program 6.) For just routine maintenance of my skills, I use the RSS Headline feed in Program 6. Program 7.Learn CW Online, allows the student to vary the parameters and type of text with instant feedback.Items 8 and 9 provide guidelines and outlines for learning the Morse code. Item 8 goes into a lot of detail and Item 9 is a briefer outline. Item 10 outlines the Koch method of learning the Morse Code. This method produces the best progress and the fastest results.
(Programs 1 through 4 require the Windows platform.):
5. K7QO K7QO Wall Street Journal video K7QO Wall Street Journal article
6. AA9PW This program will give you current news headlines from 17 different newspapers and/or genres in Morse code at different speeds.
7. My new favorite is “Learn CW Online”
Q SIGNALS
These Q signals are the ones used most often on the air. (Q signals that take the form of a question are sent followed by a question mark.) Very often these abbreviations (Q signals) are used in conversation and liberty is taken with the definitions that are listed below.
QRL Are you busy? I am busy. (Use this Q signal–with a question mark–before starting to transmit on a given frequency. If someone is using the frequency, they will respond with QRL–no question mark–or the character “C”–as in the spanish “si” for “yes” or some other indication that the frequency is not clear. Some operators just send a “?” as an inquiry to a clear frequency.)
QRM Is my transmission being interfered with? Your transmission is being interfered with. To remember this as “Man-made” interference, remember the “M”.
QRN Are you troubled with static? You are troubled with static. To remember this as “Nature-made” interference, remember the “N”.
QRO Shall I increase power? Increase power.
QRP Shall I decrease power? Decrease power. The term “QRP” used in conversation or writing refers to a transmitter power of 5 watts or less. The term “QRPp” used in conversation or writing refers to a transmitter power of 1 watt or less.
QRQ Shall I send faster? Send faster _____ wpm. If you send “QRQ 15”, you are asking the transmitting station to send at 15 words per minute.
QRS Shall I send slower? Send slower ______ wpm. If you send “QRS 10”, you are asking the transmitting station to send at 10 words per minute. Generally, it is not necessary to indicate a word-per-minute number because the transmitting station will usually try to match your transmitting speed. For this reason, don’t send faster than you can receive.
QRT Shall I stop sending? Stop sending.
QRU Have you anything for me? I have nothing for you. This Q signal is used frequently in net operations when the Net Control Station (NCS) has no traffic for you.
QRV Are you ready? I am ready.
QRZ Who is calling me? You are being called by (call sign) on (_____ kHz). This Q signal is used when you expect that someone may be calling you (as in a contest).
QSB Are my signals fading? Your signals are fading.
QSL Can you acknowledge receipt? I acknowledge receipt. (In a contest, if you copy the exchange, you would send “QSL” to confirm the communication.) (In a contest or DXpedition pileup, most likely the exchange would be TU QRZ. This means “Thank you. Who’s next?” Many times, the QRZ is assumed–and not sent–the end of the contact would just be TU before the next bunch of stations would be calling.)
QSO Can you communicate with direct or by relay? I can communicate with ______ or by relay. This use of this Q signal in conversation usually means a contact with another station. i.e. “I just finished a QSO with K6BFA.”
QST General call proceeding a message addressed to all amateurs and ARRL members. This is in effect “CQ ARRL.” When copying the code practice sessions from W1AW (ARRL Headquarters Station), you will hear “QST de ARRL” prior to and during the code practice session.
QSY Shall I change transmission to another frequency? Change transmission to _____ kHz. If you need to change frequency (maybe because of QRM), you may hear “QSY up 5” meaning “Tune up 5 kHz to receive (and transmit).”
QTH What is your location? My location is ____. This usually refers to you home location: i.e. “QTH Vienna, VA.” (Notice that the articles and verbs are omitted for brevity.) However, during Field Day, the correct use would be “QTH Burke Lake Park, VA”.