1. CW is the most basic form of digital communications. The key down state could easily be considered as 1, and the key up state as zero. so a dot would be represented as a single 1 and a dash as three ones 111. to give you and example CQ would look like 111010111010 11101110111. Because it is an unmodulated signal the range is generally better than any of the voice modes, and in general it is less prone to interference.

2. As with any of the modes listen before you leap. See who is on the frequency before you transmit. The proper way to check the frequency is to transmit your call sign, then the Q-signal QRZ followed by a question mark It should look like this, DE KG5ZA QRZ?

3. Once you have found a frequency that's not in use, call CQ This should be comprised of three CQ's the prosign DE for “this is” and your call three times. After that wait a minute or two for a reply. If you don't hear any then call again.

4. When answering a general call listen to the station, if he is working split frequency, he should announce the freq. he is listening on. Never call a station in split frequency mode on your receiving frequency.

5. Never answer a station at a faster speed than that station is sending. It's considered bad manners to do so, and will not make you any friends. You can always pick up the pace after you have made contact.

6. Signal reports should be as honest as you can make them. Bare in mind that most QRP (low power) equipment doesn't have an S-meter. This is where the RST (readability, Strength, Tone) report comes to the forefront. Readability is judged on a scale from one to five, with one being just nearly readable and five being armchair, excellent copy. Strength is judged on a scale of one to nine with one being very weak and nine being very strong. Tone is also judged on a scale from one to nine. Again, one is very rough sounding like unfiltered AC, and nine the purest DC.

Well that brings this series of articles to a close boys and girls, I've enjoyed writing it. I'm sure that I have also left a lot unsaid, but if you follow the info that I have presented I think you'll get along just fine. I am going to take a couple of months off now and then We'll see what else I can come up with. Maybe a series of articles on Satellites, and Space communication, or Packet although I think there are probably others better suited to that subject than I. "73" for now, and have a good Summer.