A page dedicated to how I actually enjoy using radio: slower, deliberate, thoughtful, and rooted in the parts of the hobby that still feel timeless.
CW remains my favorite mode, and that is not likely to change. I appreciate its clarity, its rhythm, and the way it rewards patience, timing, and attention. There is something deeply grounding about sitting down at a straight key on a quiet evening and settling into the pace of a real exchange.
My comfortable CW sending speed is generally around 14 to 17 WPM. I do not use anything else for sending CW other than a straight key. If you work me on CW, I sincerely appreciate operators who are willing to match that pace. Especially when conditions are poor or when I am running QRP, slower and more deliberate operating makes for a much cleaner and more enjoyable contact.
QRP has always held a special place for me because it keeps the hobby honest. A few watts, a modest wire antenna, and some patience can still go a very long way. When the bands are noisy and conditions are difficult, success comes less from brute force and more from careful listening and good judgment.
Some of my favorite operating moments are the simplest ones: a quiet evening, a wire in the trees, a straight key on the desk, and a signal barely climbing out of the noise far enough to complete the exchange.
I especially enjoy the parts of the hobby that still feel personal and grounded: CW, direct contact, experimentation, modest stations, and conversations with operators who value the same things. That does not mean I dislike newer tools or digital modes. It just means that the soul of radio, for me, still lives in simplicity and human connection.