If you have struggled with get on the air for Morse Code QSOs, perhaps some zoom-based practice sessions may build your confidence! These sessions are independent of OARC and the OVMRC. We are really grateful to Fred VE3LAF, Alan VA3IAH, and Ken VA2TXZ for running them!
WHAT: Practice slow CW QSO’s over Zoom
FOR WHO: Anyone looking for help getting on air or getting back on air
WHEN: Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM, starting on Jan 3, 2026
TO LEARN MORE AND TO JOIN IN, CONTACT KEN at VA2TXZ at MYRAC.CA
Context
These days, if you tune into the CW portion of the bands, you’re more likely to find machine-generated code than slow code and those who are using a key or paddles are usually sending at 20 WPM or more. We heard from more than a few people that they would like to be active, but their skills have lagged or they have yet to develop those skills. Many don’t feel ready for engaging with real world speeds and only have a marginal confidence in the various QSO formats. Either way, new ham or old, it’s hard to gain experience or hone your fist in a modern, fast-paced environment.
Join Zoom-base Morse-Code (CW) practice sessions starting Jan 3, 2026. Why Zoom?
- One advantage with Zoom is that our signals are kept off air. There is no worry that someone on a remote island in the South Pacific will be bothered with bad code.
- If you have a question about what someone is sending you can just ask without having to figure out how to ask in code.
- If you’re having issues, your group of peers is there with you.
- It’s just us on the call, local hams helping each other
What’s the plan?
The first session will be a general get-to-know-each-other and verify connections. There are some audio settings that need to be adjusted. Echoes are a common problem but easily fixed. Success in the first session will be getting Dits and Dahs from everyone to everyone. If people have specific things they would like to practice these will be added to a list of topics to cover.
Moving forward from there, the next session will be working on the QSO format for POTA as these are very popular and follow set script. We will take turns activating a fictitious park while the other participants hunt the activator. Other exercises could include:
- How to check into the Pot Lid Net
- Vanilla DX exchange
- Various popular contest formats
- Working split
- Casual rag chews
- Moving to CW on-air perhaps on 2m or 6m for a more authentic local experience
TO LEARN MORE AND TO JOIN IN, CONTACT KEN at VA2TXZ at MYRAC.CA
This post was based on Ken’s fuller article in the OVMRC Rambler Newsletter VOL 68 Issue 4, December 2025.
Last Updated on 2026-01-05 by Joannadanna