Learning morse code well enough to be able to decode 25-30 word per minute code in your head is incredibly satisfying. Also since transmitting a narrow sine wa

Learning morse code well enough to be able to decode 25-30 word per minute code in your head is incredibly satisfying. Also since transmitting a narrow sine wave takes much less power than a wider bandwidth voice signal you can get much further or operate on a fraction of the power. I've talked (in morse code) to people on the air that are former US Navy radio telegraphers, submariners, Air force mechanics etc. That generation is heading into their golden years and many of them will be gone in 10-20 years. It's interesting to hear about their lives in their own words. I've made contacts to Moscow Russia on 100 watts, Asia, most of Europe and most of the States in the US. I've also built the tiny QCX in that article by soldering and hand winding toroids. Fired it up and made a contact several hundred miles away on a tiny amount of power. I used an arduino to create a scratch built keyer with all my own circuts and code. Then I hooked it up to my paddles, set the speed and used it for tons of contacts. In short, it can be a very satisfying hobby if you are nerdy enough.