DitDit.fm

Steve Roberts, W1SFR, is a key maker in Vermont who produces a unique torsion bar key/paddle. His keys are a delight to the eye and a joy to use. Join us as Steve talks about where the idea came from, making keys, how they are unique, and thoughts about customer service.

Kurt Zoglmann, AD0WE, created Morse Code Ninja, a very comprehensive Morse code/CW training program using learning theory and techniques not used in other programs until now. There are more than 979 Youtube videos and over 2000 hours of Morse code teaching content available in Kurt’s course. There is something for everyone in this course.

In this episode we hear what it was like to be the ship’s radio officer who depended on and communicated with coastal maritime radio stations. For decades, ships cruised the great seas using Morse code and a key to stay safe and move cargo from one port to another. Denis O’Brien, N2JJF, served as the ship’s radio officer in the Merchant Marines for fourteen years. Listen as Denis shares his experience of his time at sea, a ship in distress, and the storm he wasn’t sure the ship would survive!

There was a time when the airways bristled with Morse Code. There were commercial radio stations all around the world whose business was sending and receiving Morse Code messages to ships at sea. Coast station KPH, located at Point Reyes National Seashore near San Francisco, is one of those stations.

CW ragchewing… the idea makes some CW operators weak in the knees. The good news is it’s a lot easier than most CW operators think it is. Gary Stone, N5PHT, would like you to go beyond the basic QSO and start having more CW conversations. Gary has 170,000 QSOs, 150,000 of those are CW QSOs, and at least 4,000 of those CW QSOs have been ragchews. A CW ragchew is just a conversation or, as Gary likes to say, you’re just sharing a little more of yourself.

Ed Picha, N9EP, is a CW operator who enjoys talking about CW and loves training and mentoring new CW ops. He’s been teaching code classes for 40+ years, while helping and encouraging a whole new generation of CW operators. Over the years Ed has garnered a lot of insight and practical advice about learning the code and operating CW. Listen as Ed shares his experience and ideas on teaching, learning the code, and operating CW!

We talk with KA2LHO, Kraig Pritts, W0PHX George Burger, and KD0IRW, Tanner Colvin about the WWFF program, activating parks, chasing activators, why this program is so great for new CW ops, logging DX, “Make Nature Your Shack”, and having tons of fun!

In this episode, Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE and Richard Collins, K2UPS, co-founders of the Long Island CW Club explain how the club got started, their unique less structured, more relaxed approach to teaching the code, and the classes available to anyone wanting to learn the code and have fun.

‘Key Fright’ - The feeling of anxiety, nervousness, and excessive worry about making mistakes sending and receiving Morse code. Most often afflicting new CW operators immediately before attempting their first QSO. Every CW operator remembers their first on air QSO. Sitting in front of your radio, hoping you’d be able to copy code… and praying the other operator sends it slow enough for you to handle. It was really stressful and really exciting all at the same time!

The North American QRP CW Club (NAQCC) is the world’s largest organization of it’s kind with thousands of members in over 140 countries around the globe. All of the organization’s events are operated QRP and CW mode. Paul Huff, N8XMS, the NAQCC president talks about the club, it’s many activities, events, free membership, and the wide variety of of challenging and fun awards it has to offer. Spend a little time with Paul and discover all the great things this club has to offer!

Amateur radio has a long tradition of giving back and Elmering new radio operators. Anyone who has ever received the generous and patient attention from an Elmer is ever so thankful and appreciative for that help. 

The SKCC offers one of the broadest assortments of awards, contests and activities available for every level of CW operator to participate in.  Ted Rachwal, K8AQM, is a member of the SKCC board and editor of the "Rag Chew", the official newsletter of the Straight Key Century Club. We spent a little time talking with Ted about the SKCC, the resources and benefits the club has to offer, and why it's no surprise that many of the nicest people you'll ever meet in the CW bands are SKCC members! 

Tom Parish, KB5RF, had the rare opportunity to take all three CW Academy courses in a twelve-month period. He began his Level 1 course hardly knowing anything about Morse code and completed the advanced Level 3 course twelve months later as a skilled CW operator capable of sending and receiving Morse code at 20+ word-per-minute. Listen as Tom shares helpful insights and experiences as a CW Academy student and follow him along on his unusual and intense journey to learn Morse code!

No matter if your operating QRP or QRO, having the right antenna for the job depends on what your target is.  In this episode, Steve Deines, N0TES, owner of Alpha Antenna talks about targeted antenna deployment, getting the best out of your antenna, and learning code in the dark!

There are many ways to learn Morse code. People often take the leap and try learning on their own. That what Roland Simmons, K7FOP, did... until he found a better way!