The purpose of this channel and monthly live Zoom sessions is to build a community of like-minded Morse code operators in the Oceania region. If you have a topic you’d like to see covered, please send me an email.
If you’d like to be interviewed in the “Meet a CW operator” segment, please let me know. It’s intended to be a relaxed chat for you to introduce yourself to participants and share your Morse code story.
Some ideas so far include:
Boilerplate QSOs
Breaking a pileup
Building on-air confidence
Fixing up old keys
Improving your sending
Working DX
If you have any questions or suggestions or requests please send me an email. vk3qb (at) hotmail.com
To view the interview, click the image of Bernd, above, or visit: https://youtu.be/VpHxKZCx3HI
In August we had the pleasure of hearing from Bernd, VK2IA and his experience as a long-time CW operator and contest operator. Bernd will share with us the pathway that led to participation in WRTC 2026 with Jacky ZL3CW. Even if you aren’t a contester this will be an insightful and interesting interview as Bernd shares his experiences, philosophies, and tips on how to excel as a CW operator.
Stan ZL3TK and Chris VK3QB launch a new morse code awards program.
Are you looking for something with a bit more of a challenge? Maybe you need something different or simply want to learn some new skills. Morse with Purpose is an awards program providing everyone with something. Whatever you enjoy there will be something to appeal: contesting, ragchewing, DXing, RandomGraming, Telegraming, skills development, outdoor ops or the mastering the straight key/bug.
Work to gain badges towards Bronze, Silver, or Gold awards in the Morse with Purpose Awards Program. And there’s no rush; you have 12 months from your date of registration.
We had the pleasure to hear from Callum McCormick, M0MCX, the name behind, in-front of, and all over the world-renowned DX-Commander vertical antenna. Callum provided us with an insight into how he discovered Amateur Radio, the early days of the DX-Commander, and then moving that into a business. He shared his real-world experience, product evolution and then reminded us that self-improvement, education and experiments are tenets of the hobby – and in these days of black boxes and SMD tech, for many of us antennas are one of the few areas where we can still roll our own, experiment and learn stuff along the way. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did… and a huge thank-you to Callum for joining us.
Some good advice: “if you want to work DX and you haven’t done so already, build a 20 metre vertical with 4 (even 2) elevated radials or 32 (min 16) x 2 metre ground radials.”
We spoke with four graduates from the recent CW Academy classes; students from the Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced level classes. So, no matter your current skill, there is likely to be something interesting to hear. Watch the recording; there will be another round of classes later in the year.
This month I’m talking with Graeme VK5GG. Some of you will recall I interviewed Graeme last year and we heard about his time serving as a radio operator aboard Australian Navy vessels.
This month it’s a change of pace. Graeme already has over 156 slots on HF, over 60 DXCC and 30DXCC with QRP – and we’re barely into February. His station is nothing special; an Icom IC-7300 with a DX-Commander vertical. I want to understand how Graeme has achieved such great results with CW and a very basic station. Come along, have a listen and ask questions.
If you missed this session you can watch it here:
https://youtu.be/lSaIrMwUGIY
I spoke with long-time morse-mate, Phil VK3VB. Phil and I met on air about 42 years ago – so there should be some insightful questions revealing an interesting history of on-air activity, morse code mania and antenna anthologies. Phil operates all HF bands and 160m, as well as 6m and above from a small residential block SE of Melbourne.
Attendees: VK3VB, VK3QB, VK2COS, VK7JZ, VK5FR, VK3OU, VK6IS, ZL3TK, VK3VDP, VK5GG, VK2LDJ, ZL1DNS, VK3WOW, VK3GQ, VK2TIG, ZL2KE, VK3IU, VK6POP and VK2NRA with 8 members from the Manly & Warranga Radio Club.
If you missed it, you can watch it here.
This month I’m talking with Allan VK2GR about his journey with amateur radio and morse code. Following the interview, we’ll talk a little bit about the upcoming CW Academy classes and take questions.
Attendees: VK3QB, VK3VB, VK3NOP, VK5GG, ZL3TK, ZL4CTS, ZL1PSH, VK5AV, VK6IS, VK5PH, VK3OU
Attendees: M3KXZ, VK3QB, ZL3TK, VK2COS, VK4DRK, VK5GG, ZL1PSH, VK3OU, VK5AV, VK3OU, VK3KLE, VK6IS, VK4MFX
Attendees: VK3QB, ZL3TK, VK3ZAI, ZL4CTS, VK2COS, VK2TIK, VK4DRK, VK5GG, VK3VB, ZL1PSH, VK3OU, ZL3SIGS
Attendees: VK2TIG, VK4DRK, VK3OU, ZL1PSH, ZL3TK, VK3KX, VK3JV, VK3QB, VK5GG
Attendee List (VK3QB, VK3VB, VK5GG, VK2COS, VK5AV, VK5LJ, VK5PH, VK3BSE, ZL3TK, ZL4CTS)
May: Every month on the Third Monday,
Presenter: Chris VK3QB will share his experience of learning the code in 1984 with WIA 5WPM tapes, improving (very slowly) over the years, along with various methods, some stories and (hopefully) interesting anecdotes. Be ready with your questions – this will be an interactive session.
Chris will also talk about headphones for CW, invite discussion regarding keys, paddles, bugs etc and the perennial topic of punctuation.
(Attendee List: GW0ETF, VK2COS, VK2TIG, VK3QB, VK3VB, VK3RU, VK3KX, VK3ZAI, VK3ZSC, VK5BJ, VK5GG, VK5AV, VK5QA, ZL3TK, ZL4CTS, ZL1PSH) Apologies VK5LJ
(attendee list: vk3qb, vk5lj, vk2ebn, vk2tig, vk5bj, zl4cts, zl1psh, vk5gg, vk2cos, vk3kx, vk3ru, zl1bds)
