[CW] Newbie

[George, W5YR]

Sure does, Scott - I taught myself the code in 1945 just that way. First I
built an audio "code practice oscillator" and got a Johnson SpeedX hand
key. Then I started . . . along the way I got a Hallicrafters S-20R
receiver and copied W1AW every night and would send along with them since I
knew what pages from QST they were sending. took a while, But I came out
with the Class B license and could send as well as I could receiver. I went
on 20 meter CW with "the big boys" and 6 months later I could handle a bug
and QSO at 30 wpm.

For you, any good sturdy handkey or there is nothing worng with starting
with a good keyer and paddle - my son learned that way and got his Extra at
age 14 when you had to do 20 wpm with the FCC.

I can't stress enough though that you need a receiver to *listen* to the
code. And work with W1AW as they send machine-perfect code. IF you have a
computer, get a code-copying program and send to it - when you are sending
properly, most programs will copy 100%. This is good for working on your
spacing, etc.

Best of luck - you have the right ideas. My humble start in 1945 has given
me nearly 57 years in ham radio, much of it on CW. 

73/72/oo, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas         
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe   
Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 56th year and it just keeps getting better!
QRP-L 1373 NETXQRP 6 SOC 262 COG 8 FPQRP 404 TEN-X 11771 I-LINK 11735
Icom IC-756PRO #02121  Kachina 505 DSP  #91900556  Icom IC-765 #02437


scott wrote:
> 
> Many thanks to everyone for the good advice on learning the code.  And yes,
> I want to learn code for on the air use and not to just get my license.  I
> really have no interest in voice operation.  The thrill in ham radio seems
> to be in making the contact and telegraphy (in my opinion).
> Question:  I probably should be learning and developing my key pounding
> skills and practicing sending the letters on a key as I learn them.  Does
> this make sense?  What would be a good quality key to get?  Any guidance
> would be appreciated.