[Elecraft] Learning CW

[Mike via Elecraft]

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