ArdRhi

I've tried several methods to learn the code in the past. I got enough of it with the old tapes to get through the Tech Plus test when it still had 5wpm code on it, and then General a few years later. Extra, though, was after they got rid of the requirement. But I forgot most of my code because I didn't use it. I've tried online stuff, programs, pocket tutors, you name it. The only thing that got me to learn my code well was taking the free courses from CWOps, their CW Academy. It takes a while, because it's an actual class held online, and each class is like 9-10 weeks, twice a week for an hour or so, with daily practice. But it's FREE. You have to sign up in advance and wait for an opening, but I found that it's worth it. Or you can check out the Long Island CW Club. They're VERY good, and have a more individual online training, and work into getting you practicing on the air with a code buddy. I thought about it and decided on CWAcademy, but your mileage may vary. As far as software goes to decode Morse, the best one I've ever used was good old CWGet. You do have to pay for it, but it's cheap and it's worth it. It's the most accurate and the most unobtrusive decoder I have. It's better than the one in my KX3, and that's going some. You can see what CW Academy is about here: https://cwops.org/cw-academy/ Long Island CW Club is here: https://longislandcwclub.org/ 73, Gwen, NG3P

The cards are just fine. You've got a good eye for design. I used CheapQSLs.com for mine. They do very good work. They've got some very basic styles that are about $10 per 100, not counting shipping. By the time you do the shipping, you might as well get a couple of other features, so I got their basic style #110, but with the report on the back. Paid about $20 with the back report and shipping for 100 cards. I think I've used 3 so far. I tend to use eqsl.cc for most of my QSL reports, or the logbook on QRZ.com. At one time I put a lot more effort into them. Way back when, I got a case of sprocket-feed, micro-perforated pre-cut cards for my printer, and I printed a custom card for every QSL. It was a ton of work and not really worth the effort. About 3/4 of the case of card stock is in a closet in my old shack upstairs, untouched in about 18 years. And yes, it's QSL card. Not QSO card. A QSL acknowledges a QSO. 73, Gwen, NG3P