Today, OnAllBands turns its attention to Continuous Wave in celebration of the CQ WW WPX CW Contest at the end of May. We’ll get to that and other CW contests in a moment, but first let’s look at some of the reasons why this mode continues to captivate the amateur radio community:
- For newbies, it’s a fun and challenging mode to learn.
- For emergency operators, the dits and dahs of Morse code have a better chance of cutting through the noise compared to SSB in challenging conditions. Narrow bandwidths allow for efficient filtering of noise and other signals.
- For experienced operators, there’s nothing more exciting than managing a CW pileup, running a frequency in a contest, or challenging yourself to reach higher WPM speeds.
- For QRP enthusiasts, low power and CW go together like PEPs and carriers (or peas and carrots, if you’re into the whole vegetable analogy thing).
- For all hams, it’s a way to connect to the early days and traditions of telegraphy.
- For the international community of operators, use of Q codes and standardized abbreviations shatter global language barriers, making Morse code messages universally understood.
- For collectors, mechanical design enthusiasts, and results-driven contesters, it’s a chance to equip your shack or portable station with some of the coolest, precision-made gear in all of ham radio (see below for gear available at DX Engineering).
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Plus, there’s no shortage of online CW groups and contesting opportunities. Here are a few:
The Straight Key Century Club sponsors a Monthly Weekend Sprintathon. The next one is scheduled for May 9, 1200Z to May 10, 2400Z. This event “aims to bring together operators with different skill levels in a regularly scheduled, informal operating event lasting 36 hours,” per the SKCC website. The SKCC was established in 2006 and is going strong with more than 29,000 members. Check out its website for useful resources, including the “SKCC Beginner’s Corner.”
K1USN Slow Speed Test: This is held every Friday and Monday “for those who prefer a more leisurely CW pace or are new CW operators or contesters,” according to the K1USN SST website. If you copy under 25 words per minute and are looking for a less stressful place on the air to improve your CW speed, this might be just the ticket.
Founded in 1987 by Geo, G3ZQS (SK), the CW FISTS Club (the International Morse Preservation Society) is dedicated to promoting Morse code around the world. The organization boasts chapters in the Americas, Australia/New Zealand, Europe, and East Asia. Learn more about the club’s operating activities in the Americas here.
The First Class CW Operators’ Club was founded by Bob Webster, G5BW, and John Hunter, G2ZQ, in 1938. Today, there are members in more than 50 countries. The club is all about promoting high standards of CW operating. Read here about the club’s on-air events. Learn here about how to become a member.
CWops, a group that celebrates “the unique art form of Morse code,” holds popular one-hour QSO parties (CWops Tests) every Wednesday. Find out how to become a member here.
Also check out the Long Island CW Club—a great resource for learning Morse code.
Find the Key or Paddle That’s Right for You
If you’d like to dive into the CW contesting community, it’s easy to procure finely crafted CW equipment at DX Engineering, which carries Morse code straight keys, paddles, bugs, and more from leading providers in a wide range of styles, designs, materials, and prices. Here’s some of what you’ll find:
Begali Keys straight keys and paddles
Choose from more than 20 precision-made CW instruments from Begali Keys, including this WRTC 2026 Limited Edition Expedition Key. Also, take a moment to learn how Begali keys are made in this excellent OnAllBands article by Katie, KE8LQR, “A Visit to Italy’s Begali Keys Factory.” The company has been making highly coveted keys for more than 60 years.
Vibroplex iambic paddles, original bug keys, straight keys, code practice oscillator kits, and more from amateur radio’s oldest continuously operating business.
Vibroplex was founded in 1905 by telegrapher Horace Greeley Martin, who revolutionized the telegraph industry with the invention of the semi-automatic bug key, so called because of Vibroplex’s original electrified-insect logo. Vibroplex original bug keys (below) are available at DX Engineering.
Also find a nice selection of CW instruments at DX Engineering from:
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- Here is the Code Warrior Junior Iambic Paddle from Vibroplex. Read about how Wayne, K8FF, DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist, invented the famous key back in 1997 in the OnAllBands article, “Code Warrior—the Telegraph Key that Made Waves.” (Image/Vibroplex)
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