Surveys
#004 - Morse Code
Date: 5/20/04-7/19/04 --- Participants: 129
1. What do you use most often to send CW?
Keyer 71 55%
Straight Key 29 22%
Bug 9 7%
I don't use CW 8 6%
Sideswiper 3 2%
Keyboard 3 2%
Computer 3 2%
Other 3 2%
2. How many CW sending devices do you own?
3 29 22%
2 22 17%
1 19 15%
4 15 12%
5 11 9%
6 10 8%
10 or more 10 8%
7 6 5%
None 6 5%
8 1 1%
9 0 0%
3. How many of those do you use regularly?
1 63 49%
2 37 29%
3 13 10%
None 8 6%
4 6 5%
5 2 2%
6 0 0%
7 0 0%
8 0 0%
9 0 0%
10 or more 0 0%
4. How fast (WPM) can you solidly copy CW?
11-20 52 40%
21-30 41 32%
6-10 12 9%
31-40 12 9%
1-5 5 4%
I can't copy at all 5 4%
41-50 1 1%
51-60 1 1%
Above 60 0 0%
5. How fast (WPM) can you send GOOD CW?
11-20 53 41%
21-30 48 37%
31-40 10 8%
6-10 9 7%
1-5 4 3%
I can't send at all 5 4%
41-50 0 0%
51-60 0 0%
Above 60 0 0%
6. What band do you most often use for CW?
40M 61 47%
20M 36 28%
30M 9 7%
I don't use CW 8 6%
80M 7 5%
160M 2 2%
15M 2 2%
Other 2 2%
17M 1 1%
10M 1 1%
12M 0 0%
7. How often do you use CW?
A few times a week 49 38%
Daily 34 26%
A few times a month 31 24%
A few times a year 9 7%
Never 6 5%
8. How many years have you used CW?
Less than 5 35 27%
21-30 24 19%
31-40 23 18%
11-20 14 11%
6-10 12 9%
41-50 9 7%
Never 7 5%
51-60 3 2%
More than 60 2 2%
9. Have you used CW other than in ham radio?
No 99 77%
Yes 30 23%
10. Are you a member of FISTS?
No 81 63%
Yes 48 37%
11. Are you a member of any other Morse club?
No 122 95%
Yes 7 5%
12. Elaborate on any of your answers or make other comments here.
Use CW on all bands, lately mostly on 40, then 30. Hope for more on 80 in the Winter.
* * *
I collect, design, and build all kinds of CW instruments - perhaps to the detriment
of my actually getting on the air with them!
* * *
Just getting started, I'm taking the cw test on 7/15/04 Will use a FT-817 mounted
on my touring bicycle, 73 KZ5USA
* * *
I was inactive for 40 years. When I came back I set up to operate CW, SSB and most
digital modes, but I found I wanted to work mainly CW.
* * *
Most of my CW sending devices are collectables in the display case. I use a HamKey
Straight key, and Bencher paddles with keyer and for camping I have a mini set
of paddles with the Norcal Keyer kit that I use.
* * *
I use a homebrew sip-n-puff keying device similar to the one featured in QST earlier
this year.
* * *
W0ena do cw 12 years old KC0PPH Cheak me out
* * *
Fave is nye viking straight key w/ navy knob but trying to get comfy with some bencher
paddles - I learned with key and paddles are challenging for some reason...de ae4rv
* * *
I run 100% CW and QRP both mobile and base. I have only been a ham for 2 years.
* * *
While new to the hobby (2 years), I've found the most enjoyment in operating CW.
Second would be RTTY and SSB would be a distant third.
* * *
Congratulations on getting DSL. You will love it! (I may be somewhat prejudiced
since I'm the DSL engineer for our local phone company). 73, WS4P
* * *
Found your website by googling my call... glad to have helped keep ur streak alive!
73 de Chuck, WS1L
* * *
I operate the CW Communicator Internet system every day.
* * *
I use an iambic keyer and bencher, a Vibroplex bug and a J-38 straight key. Long
live CW!
* * *
CW should be kept as a requirement to license exams, and should be raised back to at
least 10wpm for privileges on the HF bands.
* * *
Since 2 years I also teach Morse at the local club. CW rulez!
* * *
Presently, I am QRP only. CW is the perfect mode for this. Otherwise, I have nothing
for, or against, CW. It does not come naturaly for me. It is work. Yet I find it rewarding
when done well. Charlie, W3CQB
* * *
I was a 05H EW/SIGINT Morse interceptor in the Army prior to becoming a ham.
* * *
Hope to use CW more often soon. Just need to find the time! (for -any- ham radio
activities)
* * *
Question #1: I use Bencher paddles. I miss the old days wkg new Novices wid my straight key.
* * *
It might be interesting to see what the relationship is between years of CW use and
years as a ham. As an example, I have only used CW for 7 years, but that is the entire
time I have been a ham. I am not a member of other CW clubs (other than FISTS), but
am considering joining one or more of ...
* * *
I love cw its the only mode for me.When I have to go on our local 2m RNARS net
on FM I can never find the microphone...73 de Bill GM4AGL
* * *
I guess my listening proficiency of International CW is around 20WPM or so. I have
been self-studying Wabun (Japanese Kana) CW since January 2003, but the proficiency
is around 10 to 12WPM or 50 to 60 chars/min. 73 de Kenji JJ1BDX/3
* * *
I would love more than anything else as a HAM to be able to get my family, home,
and work schedules arranged in such a way as to spend the time on the bands to get
proficient at CW. I was bitten by the CW bug years ago and love it.
* * *
Just begining, but definitely in love with CW! Jordan, KC0MLK
* * *
The number of years I've used CW is misleading. I first used CW 27 years ago when I got
my ticket in high school. I was inactive in radio for about 15 years. I think four or
five years of CW would reflect my use more accurately - but this was across that
27-year span. I use CW exclusively now...
* * *
Other club: Croatian Telegraphy Club
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KB3KVA & the name is Santford of Frederick, MD.Just got Tech
* * *
total new to cw and want to learn!
* * *
I am 16 years old and love using cw! 73, SAM N8IY
