My initial amateur radio ticket (license) was a Technician one as I wanted to work 2 meters in the worst way. The hurdle for me was code, 5 words a minute sounded like Donald Duck on the tape player. But I wanted to get on 2 meters so I made myself learn the code and something happened along the way. I started enjoying morse code and I soon worked morse code exclusive with the exception of 10- X contests, some phone only contest and special event stations.

I used ARRL W1AW transmissions to build my code speed when I went for the 13 word-per-minute morse code requirement for the General Class ticket.

This contest I entered prior to going for my Extra Class exam, and I can find no better way to build code speed that entering a CW contest. To make it more interesting, I had the QTH up for sale and most of the station was already packed away. I dug out the Kenwood TS-520S, the Bencher paddle and borrowed a CW keyer from a friend and put everything on the dining room table. I came home from work that Friday, grabbed a fist full of paper logs (remember logging by hand???) and jumped into the contest.

I entered many contests and QSO parties and always sent in my logs, if nothing else they could be used for check logs. This time was different as I placed Fourth in the North Florida District. Whoo Hoo!!! Here I entered a contest to build my code speed and wound up placing fourth in my district. 250+ QSO's and 50 multipliers, small change by today's contesting records but not bad for a guy with one working ear, paper logging and a temporary station on the dining room table.

Needless to say I went into the Tampa office of the FCC and took the 20 word per minute morse code test and breezed through it. Thank you CW contesters!