Episode 13: How to Learn CW in 2026: Two Paths to Morse Code Success
Published: January 8, 2026
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGQR0gc20OY
Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438895/episodes/18470399
Summary
Five watts, a tiny coil antenna on a travel tripod, and a camera-bag station that reaches across states: CW isn't a relic, it's a practical advantage. Guest Terry Bone W8TMB walks through how he learned Morse code without drowning in drills, comparing two popular learning paths (CW Academy and the Long Island CW Club) and sharing the tactics that actually work when your sending is solid but your copy lags behind.
In This Episode
Terry's COVID-era ham journey to Extra class and 16 WPM sending
CW Academy: free, semester-style structure with fixed class times
Long Island CW Club: flexible carousels, ~170 classes per week, $30/year, and strong accessibility programs
Why QRP CW pairs perfectly with POTA: the 10-20dB advantage
Terry's camera-bag field kit: CFT-1 QRP rig, 3D-printed coil antenna, 16Wh battery
Tactics that work: hear whole characters, Farnsworth spacing, send back what you copy
What didn't work: cheat sheets, decoders, and counting dits and dahs
Jim's DXCC chase on digital and Rory's CW journey beginning
Chapters
0:00 Introduction and Happy New Year 2026
1:06 Meet Terry W8TMB: COVID Ham Journey to Extra Class
2:48 Terry's Portable CW Setup: Antenna and CFT-1 Radio
4:17 The Advantages of QRP CW: Camera Bag Station
6:57 Jim's DXCC Chase: 99 Entities on Digital
8:10 QRZ USA 250 Award: Number 6 in 72 Hours
9:24 Rory's POTA Activations at Island Lake
11:21 Rory's CW Journey Begins: Venture Paddle and Morse Mania
13:40 What Inspired Terry to Learn CW
17:07 CW Academy Overview: Structure and Levels
20:09 Where Terry Is Now: 16 WPM Sending
21:49 Why Learn CW: The 10-20dB Advantage
23:05 Portable CW for Backpacking and Hiking
25:05 CW Efficiency: 16Wh Battery for All-Day Operation
26:17 Long Island CW Club: Flexible Carousel System
28:00 170 Classes Per Week: Finding Your Schedule
30:00 Multiple Instructors, Multiple Techniques
31:37 Getting On Air Fast with LICW
33:04 The Copy vs Send Challenge
34:11 LICW's Straight Key Philosophy
35:17 LICW Accessibility: Autism, Vision and Hearing Programs
37:30 Ed W4EMB Shoutout: Another LICW Advocate
38:00 Equipment Needed to Start CW
40:14 Code Talk: Practice Without a Key
41:02 License Plate Practice While Driving
43:07 Why CW Matters: Solar Cycle Prep and Completionism
46:33 Finding Your Learning Style: Both Programs Work
47:04 What Didn't Work: Cheat Sheets and Decoders
48:34 Don't Count Dits and Dahs: Hear the Whole Letter
50:45 Don't Stop, Keep Moving: Forward Momentum
52:55 Terry's Best Tip: Send Back Immediately What You Copy
55:19 Comparing to Morse Mania App Experience
55:48 Listener Shoutouts and Discord Community
58:16 Wrap Up: HamCation Coming Next Month
Guest
Terry Bone W8TMB: licensed during COVID and now an Extra class operator and dedicated CW enthusiast.
Mentioned in This Episode
CW Academy: https://cwops.org/cw-academy/
Long Island CW Club: https://longislandcwclub.org/
LICW Morse Practice Page: https://longislandcwclub.org/cw-practice/
CFT-1 QRP transceiver by KM4CFT: https://hamgadgets.com/cft1-by-km4cft.html
Just OK Mini Antenna by Ham Radio Duo: https://hamradioduo.com/the-just-ok-mini-antenna/
Morse Mania app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/morse-mania-learn-morse-code/id1511042196
LCWO (Learn CW Online): https://lcwo.net/
V-Band CW practice: https://hamradio.solutions/vband/
QRZ USA 250 Award