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The Cypress Chapter CW Net
CQ CQ CQ Cypress Chapter (and other amateur radio operators). Now there's an opportunity for you to work CW on 10 meters via our weekly CW net. Yes phone is easier, faster, yada yada yada. But CW (and other digital modes) brings out the 'operator' in amateur radio operator. Proven facts are that CW (and other digital modes) will get through when SSB is full of noise. Couple this with the fact that major contest stations tend to run on CW during major contests and QSO Parties because of the efficiency of CW and the extra scoring advantage given to CW contacts.
Currently there are pretty much two different groups of folks that are not currently enjoying 10 meter CW (or any band for that matter):
1) No code licensees.
2) Code licensees who have not been on CW for some times now, hence the dreaded rusty fist.
Well, there's good news as we have a competent Net Control operator in AF4QT and others on the net who are intent in turning 'no-code' operators into 'know code' code operators even if on a casual basis. As for those that have allowed their CW skills to get rusty, break out the CWD-40 (for the rusty fist) and check into the net.
You will find all involved in the Cypress Chapter CW Net interested in helping you become better at the use of CW. Don't worry about speed as most, if not all, ops will QRS to your transmitting speed as soon as they hear your call. The CW Net is about enjoying CW, not speed or accuracy. Don't overly concerned about making errors while sending CW, think of the times when you have misspoke when making phone contacts.
So why not take the plunge and try your fist at CW. Don't have a key? Use a straight key! Don't have a straight key? Build one! Take a small piece of wood, drive two nails in it, hook the wires from the transmitter to it and place something across the nails to make and break contact. Weak on the code? Do what Charlie, AF4QT suggests and print the Morse Code alphabet out and set it near your rig.
If you're into homebrewing or building then you'll like these links:
- CW Paddles by N2UHC:
- CW Paddles by N2UHC:
- Altoids Box CW Key:
As an aside, all the contacts you work on the CW Net will give you contacts needs for the 10-10 CW Award (link) as well as our own CW endorsement for the Digital Award (link).
Our net schedule is as follows:
Day: Sunday
Time: 2PM Eastern / 17:00GMT (click for help on GMT)
Frequency: 28.040mhz
CW Net Protocol
First and foremost, the CW Net is about using and enjoying 10 meters AND CW so have some fun!
The CW Net is a directed net so we ask that you wait for Net Control to initiate the contact between you and the station you wish to work. You cannot run a list during the CW Net, call the station Net Control sets up for you and wait for others to have a chance to work them. You know how 10 meter propagation is so let everyone have a chance, especially with those out of state.
One of the first Q signals you should learn as either a new, or 'rusty', CW operator is QRS. QRS is used to request the sending station slow their speed down so you can understand it. QRS can also be used by a sending station to ask the receiving station if the transmission need to be slowed down (more on Q signals later).
Use Procedural Signals (Prosigns), Q signals, and common abbreviations to help shorten the transmissions. However, you should refrain from making up your own abbreviations or using military style abbreviations or Q signals as these will likely be unknown to a large audience of those you work.
Here's some great resources for the CW operator: Morse Code Table
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Procedural Signals
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Common abbreviations
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And lastly, some good links for CW:
ARRL 7 Code Proficiency, link.
The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy, link.
A Beginner's Guide to Making CW Contacts, link.
You can become a high speed CW operator! link
Page updated: December 17, 2007
Hot Sites
Chapter Head - AF4QT Certificate Manager - KK3Q Net Coordinator - KR4OW