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I was not always enamored with Morse Code like I am now. This is a personal story that began when I was about 16 years old or so. When I was in high school, I wanted to become a Ham. I had the fortune of having an electronics teacher, Mr. Benson, who was already a licensed Ham. We had a club station at school; and from demonstrations of the radios, I knew I wanted to get "in" on this great hobby. Mr. Benson tried to teach a bunch of us the Morse Code; but I wasn't getting it. In addition to the standard printed out sheet, I went to our local Lafayette Electonics store and purchased an Ameco Code Phonograph Album (remember those?). No matter how much I practised, it was no use. It was all mumbo-jumbo; and unfortunately for me, I gave up after a relatively small amount of frustration.

Fast forward four years. I had graduated college; had a full time, but not-so-great paying job; and had some free time on my hands, now that homework days were pretty much gone forever. The local newpaper was advertising an Amateur Radio course that was to be given by a neighboring town's Adult Continuing Education Program. The spark had reignited and was now a bonafide blaze. I vowed to myself that this time I would actually do it

Eight weeks later, as a result of hard work, study and perserverance, I had passed my Novice test. The teacher had faked us out by promisng to give us a "pre-test" so we would feel more comfortable taking the actual code test. Little did we know that the "pre-test" would negate the need for us to take the "actual test". We all passed with flying colors! Approximately six weeks later, I received an envelope through the mail from the FCC with the much coveted "ticket". I was a gen-you-ine Ham radio operator, licensed as KA2DOH.

Still with big dreams in my head, I worked towards my General license. Visions of sitting behind a desk, with my legs on top, leaning back in a chair, all the while clutching the magic microphone working all the juciest DX, filled my brain. Code was for Novices! I was to leave it all behind !!! The next few months saw my code speed rise to the magic 13 WPM mark. My General Class license study guide was my constant companion. Six months after receiving my Novice license, I took the test before an FCC examiner and was awarded my General! I had done it - my hand was firmly grasping the Holy Grail !! Look out DX, here I come !!!

I rushed home to my "new" used Kenwood Twins, the T599D and R599D. These were my gift to myself for passing the General exam. I fired the rig(s) up and got on 20 Meters (the Big Boys band, the promised land - Heaven!). I took that ol' Astatic D-104 in hand and listened intently for a clear frequency and began to send my voice through the aether as I called CQ. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, I was playing weird LSD style dream games with the TV downstairs. The picture was a mess, the speaker sounded like a rabid and psycho Donald Duck was trapped inside. Welcome to RFI, Mr. KA2DOH - welcome to stark reality. This never happened in the six months of pounding the straight key !!! The TV never so much as whimpered while I was pounding the brass.

The next few weeks were spent trying to overcome the RFI problem. Various solutions were tried with varying success. But it never went away entirely. If I was to operate during "prime time" it was going to have to be Morse Code or be relegated to family imposed "quiet hours". It soon became apparent to me that good old CW was to be my salvation. And you know what ? I came to love it !! Once I stopped railing against it; I found that I enjoyed it immensely. I came to love the sounds, the rhythms, the "song" that Morse Code is. Today, I operate using CW 99 and 44/100ths of a percent of the time. Every now and then I'll work a DX stati on that for some reason I can't find on the CW bands. But that's it - the rest of the time you'll find W2LJ pounding brass and loving every second of it.

Morse Code was the first mode of communication used in Amateur Radio. It has a history, flavor and tradition that is truly fascinating. FISTS is the international society dedicated to preserving the tradition of Morse Code on the Amateur Radio bands. I joined FISTS in the early 1990's after being introduced to it by my friend, Bill Koeth W2WK. My FISTS number is 1469 and just recently I earned the FISTS Basic century award. You earn this once you work 100 other FISTS members and collect their member numbers.

There are many operating awards, activities and other things that you can do as a FIST member. The most valuable and rewarding activity is becoming a Code Buddy. This is where you can volunteer to help another Ham who is struggling with Morse Code. There's nothing like getting on the air and having QSOs to increase your code speed. Having a Code Buddy who will help, offer tips and give much needed encouragement is a really neat thing.

FISTS members treat each other like members of one big family for the most part. It's exciting to get into a QSO with a fellow FISTS member as you might meet someone who is a nurse, police officer, fire fighter, doctor or even a member fo the Armed Forces. FISTS members come from all walks of life and come in all shapes and sizes. One of the mottos of the FISTS organization is, "When you've worked a FISTS, you've worked a friend". I find that to be the 100% unadulterated truth. Some of the most memorable, enjoyable and treasured QSOs I have had throughout my Ham Radio carrer have been with fellow FISTS members. If you consider yourself to be a Morse Code enthusiast; but have never joined FISTS, then consider this to be your invitation!!! Click on the FISTS logo above and you'll be taken to the official FISTS website, where you'll get all the information you need in order to learn how to join!