New ham interested in CW

[Netdewt]

Am I getting in over my head? I just passed my tech and general.

I don’t know why but CW has me captivated. I looking at Venus SW-3B, AME Ultra Porta Paddle, and haven’t nailed down antennas, tuners, batteries yet. I have a very small property so mobile and QRP are more interesting than big fancy towers and rigs. I’d look at higher end SSB-capable stuff like Elecraft or even a Yaesu 818/891, but it’s all very expensive and/or out of stock.

I’m practicing Morse on an iPhone app. Any better suggestions?

[SkipRD]

I used a little Venus SW-3B with a little CWMorse key for months before my KX2 came in and it worked just fine. I also used an end-fed half-wave that I built myself, and a homemade battery pack, and those worked fine. When it comes to the equipment side of things, just remember, it's the Indian, not the arrow.

As to learning CW, I HIGHLY recommend the CWOps program called CW Academy. (Info here: https://cwops.org/cw-academy/cw-academy-options/.) I started with their "Beginner" course because, although I passed a 13 wpm test when I got my license, I literally had not sent a single dit in decades, and other than S-O-S couldn't remember a single character. I then went up through their courses and over the course of a few months and got to sending and copying 18-20 wpm comfortably. The CW Academy courses are taught by a bunch of old farts who love CW and love teaching, and the courses themselves are easy, fun, and very effective. Really, I can't say enough good things about those guys. It's really the selfless generosity of older hams that keeps the hobby going and these guys are a great example of that principle. Someday, when I get to be much better at CW, it's my intention to return the favor.

There are other CW learning programs out there, including some that recommend learning with a straight key (which seems to me like a terrible idea), all of which have their own proponents, but whichever way you guy, CW guys on the air are another example of generosity in action. When I was first getting on the air, doing that awful combination of terrible code at a slow pace, I was amazed at how many really expert CW guys would slow way down and nurse me along as I tried to make contacts. It's really wonderful and don't be afraid of trying.

Anyway, have fun. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need any further info.
73 Skip K4EAK

[K1GC]

I would also add checking out Long Island CW Club to the mix of great offering for learning. https://longislandcwclub.org/

I like LICW because, while the courses have rotating starts, you can readily join at sit in any class at anytime. For my busy schedule, being able to pop in an out when I was able was key. This is also a great group of people and resources for learning. All of these program offerings are great from what I can gather, and it is primarily about what fits your schedule and approach best.

RE starting with a straight key as Skip mentioned, while there are some that advocate that at LICW, it is by no means a requirement. I have done everything from day one with a paddle and have only minimally ever messed with a straight key. So that is not an issue with LICW. Also ditto to CW folks being a great community. I have zero regrets about jumping into it and now CW is by far my primary mode.

73, Douglas K1GC

[Netdewt]

Thanks for responding.

I've been watching K4SWL's videos to see what POTA looks like. I would rather have more "meaningful" contacts than the POTA formula, but it looks like a good way to learn.

I just ordered the AME Ultra. I am planning to connect it to my iPhone and Morse-it with an Arcade interface like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IFS9zu3z_k

Morse-it has CW Ops sections in it. I've been going through the sending stuff for a while now, but my copy is really bad. I have the alphabet memorized but muscle memory and head copy is not there.

If I get the Venus, do you recommend a multiband antenna for QRPing (K4SWL does this), or should I really get dedicated dipoles? The Venus does 20, 30, and 40M.

[SkipRD]

Thanks for responding.

[snip,snip]

If I get the Venus, do you recommend a multiband antenna for QRPing (K4SWL does this), or should I really get dedicated dipoles? The Venus does 20, 30, and 40M.

Either way. I used a typical 40m end-fed half-wave (which gives 40-20-15-and 10 meters) that is 66' long, but added a link at around 50' that I could pull for 30m. All of which made it perfect for my 40-30-20 Venus SW3b. You could get the same effect with a linked dipole (or even separate dipoles), although it might be marginally more stuff to lug around and not quite as easy a deployment.

73 Skip K4EAK

[Netdewt]

I can't find it on their website - does anyone know what the CW Ops Academy costs?

[Netdewt]

Either of these brands a good option for 20/40M? Any other brands you recommend?

https://www.sparkpluggear.com/shop/p/th ... pack-sdw77

https://www.packtenna.com/store/p25/EFH ... nna.html#/

Do you use a mast or just find trees and use rope and a rock?

[SkipRD]

I can't find it on their website - does anyone know what the CW Ops Academy costs?

It's free.
73 Skip K4EAK

[SkipRD]

Either of these brands a good option for 20/40M? Any other brands you recommend?

https://www.sparkpluggear.com/shop/p/th ... pack-sdw77

https://www.packtenna.com/store/p25/EFH ... nna.html#/

Do you use a mast or just find trees and use rope and a rock?

Both of those antennas are very good and lots of people use them. I've seen Thomas use the mini version of the Packtenna you mention (https://www.packtenna.com/store/p3/Pack ... nna.html#/). The Tufteln antennas are also very good (https://www.tufteln.net/listing/1180647 ... rp-antenna). And building an EFHW is easy from any of lots of available kits. Lots of people use these: KM4ACK (this is the one I use, but currently out of stock): https://km4ack.square.site/product/49-1 ... nna-kit/34; the K6ARK unit, https://www.amazon.com/K6ARK-QRP-Antenn ... 09MYJNTGV/.I'd stay away from the Chinese knockoffs of the qrpguys boards, but other than that there are countless alternatives.

In most cases, you won't need a mast. Just throw a line over a tree branch and use the EFHW in either sloper or inverted-v configuration. Most people use a arborist throw weight and line (I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VO2HZ0G/), but a large nut and some paracord from Home Depot also works.

If you haven't already done so, watch a bunch of field activation videos from Thomas K4SWL and qrper.com. He actually shows how he sets up the antennas and radios, and provides links to all of the equipment he uses.

73 Skip K4EAK

[K1GC]

Another plug for KM4ACK kit. Packtenna stuff is nicely made, just just have to catch them when available. For other fully assembled options, check out N9SAB's ebay store. Tim makes some really nice antennas. His stock varies, so what you may see on there today is not all he makes. I have a few of his single band dipoles and a nicely made 1:1 balun that is like a stick of chapstick with bnc connectors on each end. His stock looks a little low at the moment, but you could message him if you are looking for something specific.

https://www.ebay.com/str/n9sab