CW Operating Guide for Ham Radio
CW — Continuous Wave, or Morse code — is the oldest mode in amateur radio and remains one of the most rewarding. A CW signal cuts through noise and interference that defeats SSB phone, requires narrower bandwidth, and can make contacts that are simply impossible on voice. The FCC no longer requires a code test for any licence class, but a growing number of hams are learning CW purely for the operating enjoyment and the unique capabilities it provides. This guide covers CW operating procedure, common abbreviations, and how to get started making CW contacts.
CW frequency segments
CW occupies the lower portion of each amateur band by convention, though it is technically permitted anywhere in the amateur allocation. On 40m, CW operation is concentrated in the 7.000–7.125 MHz range. On 20m, 14.000–14.150 MHz. On 80m, 3.500–3.600 MHz. Novice and Technician HF privileges are limited to specific CW segments on 80, 40, 15, and 10m — check the ARRL band plan for the exact sub-bands authorised for your licence class if you are not General or Extra.
Setting up for CW
Your HF transceiver needs to be in CW mode (sometimes labelled CW or A1A). Most modern radios have a built-in CW keyer — connect a paddle key and set the keyer speed to match your sending ability. A straight key is fine for learning and slow speeds. Set your CW filter to 250–500 Hz bandwidth to reduce interference from adjacent signals. Set the sidetone volume so you can hear your own sending clearly while transmitting.
Call CQ
A standard CQ call: CQ CQ CQ DE [your callsign] [your callsign] K. "DE" means "from" in CW. "K" at the end means "go ahead" — any station may respond. Keep the CQ concise — two or three CQs, your callsign twice, then K. Send at a speed you can copy — there is no benefit to sending faster than you can receive.
Respond to a CQ
When you hear a station calling CQ, send their callsign once and your callsign twice: [their callsign] DE [your callsign] [your callsign] K. If the band is busy and others are calling, send your callsign clearly at their sending speed — not faster. Sending faster than the station is calling rarely helps and often results in a partial copy.
The exchange
A basic CW QSO exchange: signal report (RST), name, and QTH. "[their callsign] DE [your callsign] R 599 599 BK NAME [name] NAME [name] BK QTH [location] QTH [location] BK." "R" means received, "BK" is back to you. Repeat critical information like name and QTH twice — copying through QRM or QSB requires redundancy.
Closing the QSO
When wrapping up: "TNX FER QSO [their callsign] 73 DE [your callsign] SK." "TNX FER" is thanks for, "SK" is end of contact (signing off). "CL" after SK means closing the station entirely. The other station will respond similarly and the QSO is complete.
| Abbrev | Meaning | Abbrev | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| CQ | Calling any station | QRM | Interference from other stations |
| DE | From (separates callsigns) | QRN | Static / natural interference |
| K | Go ahead — any station | QSB | Signal fading |
| KN | Go ahead — specific station only | QSL | I confirm / do you confirm? |
| SK | End of contact | QTH | Location |
| CL | Closing station | QRP | Low power operation |
| R | Received / Roger | QRO | High power operation |
| BK | Break — back to you | TNX / TU | Thank you |
| ES | And | NR | Number |
| HR | Here | UR | Your |
| RST | Readability / Strength / Tone | 73 | Best regards |
| OM | Old man (any male operator) | YL | Young lady (any female operator) |
How fast do I need to be to get on the air with CW?
5 words per minute is a comfortable starting speed for your first on-air contacts. Many operators specifically look for slower QSOs — search for QRS (please send more slowly) on CW nets and slow-speed calling frequencies like 7.114 MHz (40m QRS) and 14.055 MHz (20m QRS). Do not worry about speed — send at the speed you can copy and any competent CW operator will slow down to match you.
What is the best way to learn Morse code?
The Koch method — learning characters at full speed (typically 15–20 WPM) from the beginning, adding new characters as you master each one — is widely considered the most effective approach. Apps like Morse Trainer, LCWO.net, and the ARRL's CW training resources all use this method. The biggest mistake is learning code slowly from the start — it creates habits that are very hard to break when trying to increase speed later.
What equipment do I need for CW?
An HF transceiver with CW mode capability (nearly all modern HF radios), a key (straight key for learning, single or dual-lever paddle with a keyer for regular operating), and ideally a narrow CW filter (250 Hz or less). A keyer is the electronic device that generates the dots and dashes from paddle input — most modern HF radios have one built in.
Is CW still used much today?
Yes — CW remains active and popular. CW contests like CQ WW CW and ARRL CW Sweepstakes are among the largest amateur radio contests in the world. DXpeditions to rare entities routinely operate CW as their primary mode because of its propagation advantages and narrow bandwidth. The CW Ops, FISTS, and SKCC clubs have active membership and sponsoring CW operating activities. CW is far from extinct.