Rob,

The Argo V is a fine CW rig that will accept a straight key or paddle with no external keyer needed. I bought one several years ago after about 20 years of inactivity and used it to re-teach myself the code. The built in keyer is good and the CW produced is the typical smooth Ten-Tec quality, including QSK if you want. You can do a lot with 20 watts and CW - including DX contacts - even at the bottom of the cycle.

Have fun.

Will, AI4VE

Rob - CW is a lot of fun. I'd like to add two suggestions to the good advice you've already received. First, don't spend a lot of money on the straight key. There are many inexpensive ones that will do the job just fine and there's plenty of time later to upgrade if you wish. Save the money for the paddle. Second, join the Straight Key Century Club (SKCC). It's free and the club offers a lot of support for beginning CW operators - from practice buddies to frequent and fun contest sprints. Everyone will slow down for you.

Hope to hear you on the air this spring.

Will, AI4VE

I can recommend Tigertronic's Signal Link USB for an interface. It contains it's own sound card with isolated inputs so Mac system sounds are not a problem and has its own Tx and Rx gain controls. Requires USB cable from laptop and a custom cable (supplied with unit) to your rig's accessory or mic port. Can be found used if you have time, but are worth the $99 retail.

http://www.tigertronics.com/

73-Will

Hello Billy,

FISTS, the International Morse Preservation Society, has a basic CW operators guide on their website that I think will answer your questions and more. The web address is: http://www.fists.org/basiccw.html. The guide provides a brief summary of the proper way to conduct a QSO including the use of the procedural signals (or prosigns) like AR, KN, or AS that you might have heard.  FISTS is a great organization if you're interested in CW, and FISTS operators are always willing to slow down and lend a helping hand for those new to the code. You can learn more about the organization through the link above.

Another resource you may want to check out can be found at http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=7749 and includes more detail on common abbreviations and the operating practicalities.

Good luck and welcome to CW.

73 - Will, AI4VE

Check out the Greensboro Amateur Radio Association (GARA) club page: <http://www.w4gso.org/>. This is an active club with a monthly newsletter (link in the web page).

I'm a recent member and am impressed with the effort being made not only to recruit existing Hams but to create new ones as well. Last fall the club hosted Technician license classes and this winter taught a class for the General license. An Extra license prep class is being prepared for later this year. Exams are held monthly for all comers in association with the W4VEC volunteer examiner coordinator.

I got back on the air in November 07 after a long (20 yr) period of inactivity. A lot has changed, but CW seems to be thriving in spite of no-code licensing and is rapidly becoming my favorite mode.

One of the first things I did was sign up for Log Book of the World. Seems like a good idea.  Although I send QSL cards for selected QSOs or when requested, some may not want to deal with the hassle or cost of cards. LoTW is an easy way to confirm and get confirmation for QSOs without the expense.

I've submitted log data for 110 QSOs, about a third of which were made operating CW. I've received 15 confirmations and all are for SSB QSOs. Granted this is a pretty small sample over only a couple of months but I would have expected about 5 of the 15 to be from CW OPs.

I'm curious about other's experience or thoughts.

73 - Will (AI4VE)

I've also heard a lot of bad code from straight key users, but a keyer doesn't guarantee perfect code. The biggest problem I've heard with a keyer is when not enough space is left between letters or words. Like the original post in this thread I've had problems copying calls  when letters are run together. Is it DT or P? This seems to happen more often with a keyer than a with a straight key, especially when someone thinks they're sending great code by sending as fast as they can. Another problem I've encountered with keyers results when the op can't resist the temptation to diddle with the weighting and/or compensation settings on some keyers. I guess the goal is to have a unique sound. Sometimes it's so unique that I can't copy them.

Will - AI4VE

Do these folks still exist? If so how do I reach them to place an order?

I saw the great eHam.net reviews for the dust covers made by Stan and Becky (Jun 07 most recent) but when I go to the above web site it seems to have been taken over by some internet marketing outfit selling lots of stuff not resembling the dust covers that were described in the review.