CW the quest for fun

CW for me goes back to the beginning. To go from a Tech to a Tech+ I had to pass a 5 wpm code test.  That gave me limited HF privileges in Novice (CW) portions of the band.  I bought a Bencher paddle and off I went.  My first DX contact was with CW, a station in Yukon, Canada.  My next DX was Argentina, all the way to South America,  I remember being stoked with that contact.  I continued making contacts and ragchewing. When I progressed enough I went for my General.  On exam day while they were giving the 5 wpm code test, I took the written general test and passed.  Something went wrong and they had to redo the 5 wpm code test so the examiner asked if I wanted to try the advanced? I said sure.  I managed to pass it without studying and then when the 13 wpm code test came I passed it.  I went from KC5RKS to KM5AV.  

As life, family, job, and school took over CW fell away.  I really enjoyed being an advanced class operator.  When I moved to Georgia, I got a lot of kidding about my 5 call in a 4 call zone.  I decided to change calls but wanted it on my own terms.  I took the extra exam (code requirement then was 5 wpm). I passed and while I was waiting for my license I started checking for a vanity call.  I wanted a 1x2 or a 2x1 call.  I found one that wasn't being advertised on the databases so when I got my extra license I quietly submitted my vanity call application and received my current call sign.

Life was still hectic and it wasn't until the COVID era that I took up CW again.  POTA was running strong and that's the venue I chose to get back in.  I was real shaky at first, but I kept at it and now I am pretty comfortable with it.  I am no speed demon but I have fun.

Today, I am retired and enjoying ham radio.  I still do EmComm and I still due POTA using CW and FT8.  SSB is not for me anymore.  I wanted something more out of CW.  POTA is great if you like doing exchanges but it was getting monotonous.  I remember the days of the ragchew. I wanted more of that.  A couple of years ago I took the CW Innovations course to help improve my CW.  It was a lot of fun and I had a couple of code buddies for a while.  All of us being busy, we sometimes found it hard to maintain a sked.  So here I am.  One of the things I learned from CWI was SKCC or Straight Key Century Club.  They only use straight keys: straight key, bugs, and sideswiper/cooties allowed. Basically any key as long as the dits and dahs are controlled by the hand and not electronically.  

I dabbled in straight keys for a while, but went back to paddles because they are quicker.  I started looking at SKCC again and found I appreciate the community there.  There is more to CW than speed.  So I am heading back to SKCC.  I have to do some relearning.  With paddles I was a squeeze keyer.  You can't squeeze key a bug, it doesn't work, trust me.  I have been practicing with a bug, sideswiper, and cootie keys to retrain my muscle memory. A little more practice and I will be ready for prime time.  I am looking forward to this.

POTA?  I will still do POTA with FT8 and straight keys.  SKCC will give me the parts of CW I miss from my early days.  Keep a lookout, I am almost there.  SKCC 28264 - de Scott