Your CW Journey with LICW.

All new members are encouraged to attend our Intro classes where they learn about the resources available and how to use them.  Our continuous classes are arranged according to CW proficiency such as beginners, intermediate, and advanced.  Members may join or audit any class at any time as all classes have rolling admissions.

Members new to CW are encouraged to begin by learning or relearning the basic 40 characters in the Beginners 1 and Beginners 2 classes.  Members may take these classes in any order and may join either of them at any time.  Learning how to send is just as important as copying code.  We recommend beginners start with a straight key and also attend Beginners Sending classes. The emphasis and mantra of this club is for students to get on the air as soon as possible.

CW online training

There is much more to LICW than learning CW.  Our forums and presentations, with visiting speakers, are a place to broaden your education and have fun!

Here is a listing of all our classes and forums. Please consult our Flow Chart below which will categorize and help you navigate how all classes and forums interrelate and in what sequence you should take them.

Introduction to LICW Club Resources: Learn and review how to use all the Club software, tools and amenities with tips on how to get started: LICW Dropbox, LICW Groups.IO, and Zoom Access

Introduction to LICW Training Software: Introductory training on how to use CW Training software, how to adjust Zoom for online CW classes, and general practice on the first 10 characters in preparation for entry into the Beginners 1 classes.

Beginners 1: Learn the first 20 characters (40 total).

Beginners 2: Learn the second 20 characters (40 total).

B1/B2 Review: This class reviews all 40 characters, goes over individual students’ problem characters, QSO sending protocol and makes speed transition towards the Intermediate level

BOTA (Beginners on the Air): Heavy emphasis on the QSO protocol while also covering any subject that will help beginners transition from computer learning to actual on-air contacts

CW Trials and Tribulations: Come share, discuss and get support with issues and roadblocks

CW Warm Up: Breakfast and a cup of Yorkshire tea. Come and casually practice with all the early birds.

Defeat the Beast: Overcome CW Hesitancy! Motivational speakers are invited to present.

Gud Fists Sending & Qualifying Runs: Practice and receive guidance on sending skills and prepare for sending and receiving qualifying runs conducted the first Sunday of each month. Select classes feature veteran CW operator guests. (For Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced)

Internet CW ‘V Band’ Open Forum and LICW Traffic Net: Practice making QSOs over a special internet site.

Informal Rag Chew:  General ham radio topics and CW practice too.

K1USN SST (Slow Speed Contest) Live Assistance: How to work this contest along with live assistance via Zoom. (For Beginners and Intermediates)

Live DX QSO Training: Live DX QSO assistance on the air, simultaneously on Zoom. (For Beginners, Intermediates, Advanced)

Live QSO Assistance For All CW Levels: This class will help you conquer your fear of live QSO’s in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Simultaneously on Zoom. (For Beginners, Intermediates, Advanced)

QSO 101, Introduction to QSO Protocol: Learn the ins and outs of CW QSO protocol so that you can have successful CW QSOs! From checking if a frequency is clear to properly end your QSO and EVERYTHING in between!

Recorded QSO Copy: Interesting recorded QSOs will be decoded and reviewed leading to a better understanding of different fists and actual radio conditions. (For Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced)

Sending Prep: Guidance in straight key, cootie, bug and paddle selection, setup, and operation.

Sending: CW Tortoises: Practice at 8-10wpm. This class concentrates on developing the sending and copying skills of students who have completed Beginners 2.

SKCC Assistance: Learn all about the SKCC. Instructors will be the SKCC Board Members taking turns.

Slow Speed Net Training: Everything you need and want to know about how nets work.

YL Only Session: Covering all topics related to CW. We will share information, tips & tricks, and moral support as needed! (For Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced).

Bob’s CW Learning Lab: Discussion of learning theories and practice to optimize your CW learning experience.

Friday Fun with CW: Casual and friendly get together to use and improve CW skills.

Intermediate Sending and Receiving: This class is for students who have command of all 40 characters with emphasis on both sending and receiving.

Interval Training: Techniques to break plateaus and advance through the Intermediate level

Ken’s Klass: Ken will go over everything you should be capable of in this speed range.

Reaching your CW Goals: An Intermediate class for those having a good command of the “basic 40” alphabet, numbers and punctuation. We discuss your CW goals and various tips and tools to get there along with practice of both receiving and sending.

Sending: NV1U Memorial Review: A light-hearted round-robin sending class, full of jokes, philosophy, and Dr. Seuss.

Tips & Tricks of Intermediate QSO’s: Help with all phases of the QSO.

15-20wpm CW Training: This class is geared to help students progress through this common plateau.

Advanced Sending and Receiving: Training in both copy and sending with speeds between 20-24wpm.

Advanced Sending and Receiving: Training in both copy and sending with speeds between 25-40wpm.

Head Copy for QSO’s: The various cerebral pathways will be practiced & discussed leading to the art of head copy.

Joy of CW Contesting: Learn about contests and how to operate in them.

Round Robin Sending: Practice and receive guidance on your sending skills and also practice for sending and receiving qualifying runs conducted the first Sunday of each month in Gud Fists.

Antenna Forum: All aspects of antennas by category will be discussed in an ongoing program.

Ask the Master/Extra License Review: Bring your questions on CW and all ham radio topics from rigs to antennas etc.

Boat Anchor Forum: Presentations based on Vintage Gear.

Book Club: Enjoy reading radio and CW related books and discussing them with your LICW friends.

CW Makers: Discussion of various builds and projects.

Elmer 101: A “plain English” and uncomplicated place to go for any help needed by new hams that have questions on equipment or operation.

Game Night: Come play bingo, word unscramble, jokes and hangman all using CW. Open to members and family.

Morserino Users Group: Members will practice over the internet using their Morserinos and one on one instruction will be available.

Portable Operations Forum: Presentations based on Portable Operations and satellite

Radio & Related Technology: Presentations from guest speakers based on Radio & Related Technology
The Dr. Is In: A new amateur radio help topic will be discussed weekly based on student requests

3D Printing 101: Teaches the fundamentals of 3D printing

Click on the image to enlarge.

LICW club classes flow chart

This Flow Chart that will show you how all our classes and forums are categorized and in what flow you are suggested to take them. Once a member, you will receive via email, daily schedules that reference this flow for further guidance.