The CW Operators' Club, commonly known as CWops, is an international organization, in membership and management, for
amateur radio
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency radio spectrum, spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emer ...
operators who enjoy communicating using
Morse Code
Morse code is a telecommunications method which Character encoding, encodes Written language, text characters as standardized sequences of two different signal durations, called ''dots'' and ''dashes'', or ''dits'' and ''dahs''. Morse code i ...
. Its mission is to foster the use of
CW, whether for
contesting
Contesting (also known as '' radiosport'') is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio sta ...
,
DXing
DXing, taken from ''DX'', the telegraphic shorthand for "distance" or "distant", is the hobby of receiving and identifying distant radio or television signals, or making two-way radio contact with distant stations in amateur radio, citizens ban ...
,
traffic handling, or engaging in conversations.
A CWops nominee must be capable of sending and receiving International Morse Code at no less than 25 words per minute using the English language and submit dues.
CWops is an activity-based organization that sponsors many events. The CWops are dedicated to promoting goodwill and education to amateur radio operators throughout the world. Many members are notable contesters, DXers, and
QRQ (high speed) Morse Code operators.
Name origin
CW is an abbreviation for Continuous Wave, describing the mode in which Morse code is most often transmitted. A transmitter is simply keyed on and off, and the presence or absence of carrier is decoded in the receiver as the presence or absence of a tone.
See also
*
Wireless telegraphy
Wireless telegraphy or radiotelegraphy is the transmission of text messages by radio waves, analogous to electrical telegraphy using electrical cable, cables. Before about 1910, the term ''wireless telegraphy'' was also used for other experimenta ...
References
External links
The CW Operators' Club Official WebsiteDX World Article announcing the formation of CW Operators' ClubAmerican Radio Relay League article announcing a grant to promote CW operating from CWops
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cw Operators' Club
Amateur radio organizations