CW POTA Hunting for new CW operators

This video explains the Parks On The Air CW QSO protocol. It is aimed at new CW operators wanting to get on the air in an easy low pressure environment. I go through the typical CW QSO, and I send each part so you can hear what each part of the QSO sounds like. Yes, I know I mix up hunter and activator several times during the video....but you'll live.

Thanks to the Long Island CW Club for teaching me Morse code. The fact that I was able to get on the air so quickly is a testament to how well your program works and what an awesome job your instructors do. Thanks to Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL as well for his video explaining the POTA QSO. It made my journey so much easier.

Hopefully you found this video helpful. 73

[AGSM]

Oh boy, this is well timed. Over the last week I have finally started doing CW on the air, and it's all about hunting POTA. Since I'm nervous, all I need to do is recognize my own callsign, a signal report, and whatever signal they are using to turn the QSO around, like BK. I make a point of listening to the operator working others before I dive in. And then I have to admit I understand less than 50% of what they are sending, and I'm batting my paddle around the desk sending my replies... but it works, and I'm hooked.

[betterbprepared]

This was very helpful for a person new to CW. I just joined the LICW Club last week and can't wait to be able to get on the air hunting POTA with CW. Great video!

[GMascelli]

Good video! I jump started my CW after 26 years away by hunting parks. Now feeling much more comfortable as I continue to shed the rust.

[jbrase]

Some activators who log by computer get your name from QRZ in real time and will use your name in the exchange. ("TU John UR 559" etc.) So, it is a good idea for newer OPs to learn to recognize what their name sounds like in CW so they are not thrown for a loop if they hear it when not expecting it.

[mark_b]

I saw Thomas' POTA QSO and this is the perfect bookend to that - thank you!

[paulkinas]

Nice video for beginning CW ops, and especially if they are doing POTA. As a CW op for over 50 years you brought out some good points, and ultimately it comes down to practice, practice, practice, like most newly learned activities... Point of interest, as an activator with over 7k POTA contacts, I never give out my state in the exchange unless it's a "Park to Park" exchange. I won't say an activator won't regularly give out his state, but if you are running a bunch of contact it won't happen that much. As an activator your park number and location are listed on the POTA "Activation" page. Also, sending "K" after calling CQ is much less common than not sending the "K" ... again, nice video, good stuff.... 72 Paul NA9M

[trisgreaney]

Evan, well done. Thanks for hunting.
Always good to get you in the log!
NA4A

[Lyndon_K]

Great video Evan, thanks! Hope to work you on CW sometime in the future. 73!

[alannorthdevonuk]

Thank you for this. I am six months into my CW study and just getting copying under my belt. Not yet been on the air but not far off giving it a go. I have written out the QSO example on a crib card. I've also ordered a new mechanical pencil. I have noted proper CW 'ers always have good ones. Cheers.
.

[vaamorais]

Hi greetings from the UK!
Very useful video for someone starting it’s CW journey.
Thanks for sharing

[cmwkrinkle]

Great video! Probably a good idea for hunters to know what the '?' sounds like as well. You hear that a lot when the activator has a pileup and are trying to pick out the callsigns. Also if the activator missed something sometimes they'll ask for 'RST ?' or 'CALL ?' or maybe even 'STATE ?'. I'm new too and that's a few things I've heard.

[vengn]

Great explanation, I never new that about POTA and will give that a try! Thanks!

[colegno]

Thanks for this. Really helpful tothis new op. Might I ask what transceiver you’re using? Thanks again.

[JimV-gtog]

Thank you for this video. New at CW and this is what I needed. BTW, how many WPM can you do on the Straight Key Stapler? HIHI.
73,
Jim
WB4JIM

[MTimWeaver]

This is great stuff....thank you. I have been planning to listen in on some CW activations until I can get myself back up to speed on CW (I'm confusing a handful of letters again...being away from it for 15 years will do that).

Also, will the activator give the park designation during the QSO, as in SSB POTA exchanges? If so, is there a 'standardized' location that might show up in the example exchange you show?

[gregoryhorwitz]

Wow, that’s great. Very helpful. Thanks, kc1ivw

[TheWingnut]

Nice video for us new to cw, never thought about using POTA hunting as a of

Straight key or paddle for absolute beginner?
And how did you set up the g90 to make tone without transmitting?

[havefun]

I'm a new ham and I find this video helpful. I really hope I can do some POTA QSO this summer when I have my gears. I'm waiting for a QCX-mini to be assembled. How would I know the numbers of RST? Are they displayed on the transceiver? 73 de VE3INE

[deltafour]

Would you happen to have PDF of that "Generic Sheet"?

[onmgy_radioamateur]

Great video Evan, very nice and informing for the new CW operator. 73 de ON4MGY