CWops Member #4012 | How Did I Get Here?
This morning I was welcomed graciously into membership with CWops. CWops is a ham radio club focused on promoting and preserving the art of CW operation. I am honored to say I am proud member #4012! It has been quite the ride arriving at this point. How did I get here?
About this time last year, I needed a solution to provide communication at our family ranch in west Texas. Cell reception is very poor. Internet is absent. Terrain is rough. And the location would be considered by most rather remote. We are about a 90 minute drive in any direction from a paved road and approximately 25 miles from the US - Mexico border. I discovered the GMRS radio service and it has served as an acceptable solution for communication amongst my family and our visitors. I strongly recommend GMRS as a solution for family communications. More posts on this topic will come in the future.
Frequently, I encountered amateur radio while researching GMRS and other radio topics. At a very basic level I knew ham radio existed, but that was about it. The more I read about it the more I became hooked. I could not stop thinking about the possibilities. It became obvious to me that ham radio would be a fulfilling hobby for me to pursue. I like math, I like to be hands on, and I like a challenge.
I starting studying for the license exam. I remember exactly when I first saw CW operation mentioned in the study material. It sparked an interest in my mind that has grown into a raging inferno. There is not much more in life I've encountered more awesome, cool, and fun than CW.
In case you don't know, CW is a mode of operation in radio. It is short for continuous wave. Virtually all CW operation is done with Morse code. So, long story short, CW is simply Morse code operation.
I passed the exam, became a ham, and immediately started practicing and learning Morse code. I got a key and a HF rig. Some very kind local hams helped me make my first CW contacts. I quickly found SKCC (Straight Key Century Club) and POTA (Parks on the Air) and started making my first contacts on the air at around 5 wpm. Another ham recommended I should check out CW Academy to help create structure for my Morse code and CW studying and practice. I applied and was accepted last summer.
I've since completed both the intermediate and the advanced courses with CW Academy. The advisors and co-advisors in the academy do a great job motivating you to reach your full potential. And, on top of that, my fellow classmates at CW Academy are super. We have all become friends. We practice on Zoom with each other, practice on the air, and communicate via email, text, or WhatsApp. There are hams from all over the world in the classes. It has been such a pleasure to meet them and become friends.
While a student at CW Academy, I quickly learned I like CW contesting. See my other post about the weekly CWT contests. Many of the participants send code at 40 wpm! I think I will pursue this interest much further and I look forward to writing about those experiences here on the blog.
My class advisor nominated me to become a member of CWops after completing the advanced course. Within a day of the nomination, three other hams who I've worked several times during CWTs sponsored my nomination. I am now very honored to be CWops member #4012. Thank you very much to my sponsors.
My journey so far started at rural Texas ranch communications and currently is at high speed CW contests. It is amazing how one thing can lead to another.
73 de AI5ZI
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