I have wanted to learn CW and be a ham since I was 8. I started and stopped 5 or 10 times in the next 52 years. I was finally licensed in Feb 2012 as a General and upgraded to Extra 6 months later, but I was old school enough to not consider myself a true ham until I could do CW, so I taught myself over a 3 month period and made my 1st CW QSO in Feb 2013. Paul N6EV, & SKCC were a big help. I now have 250 countries worked, 204 confirmed on CW, almost all with a straight key @ 15-18 wpm. Most operators have been willing to QRS for me, some not. I just within the last 3 weeks transitioned to a paddle, and make too many mistakes, but most have been kind and forgiving. I use G4FON's free software and practice sending to a Begali CW Machine which is excellent and relentlessly unforgiving of mistakes. I just finished CW Academy level 2 class with Cap W0CCA. I highly recommend both SKCC and CW Academy, but CW Academy is booking 6-12 months in advance. It can be done, even with an old fart (62) like me. I feel like a kid again, realizing a 52 year old dream. Mandatory Elecraft content: I have a K3 #7588. Mike KD8RQE ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected]
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