QRP Category Deleted: For several years I have sponsored a DX Marathon plaque for the highest score in the QRP Class. My interest in the DX Marathon was aroused by comments from legendary CW operator, Bob Locher, W9KNI, who wrote, “if you consider yourself a serious DX’er you need to be in the DX Marathon”, so I jumped into the fray. At the time, they were looking for sponsors for plaques for certain categories and one of those was the ‘QRP Class’ and it was my pleasure to fill that gap. But I received word today the category has been deleted for 2026 as participation has dwindled. Nevertheless, DXM continues to grow in stature and has become a premier operating event globally.

Code Proficiency: Forty-nine years into this hobby and I’ve never once attempted to achieve any level of the ARRL Code Proficiency program. Better late than never, I’d like to give it a try, though I might need to brush up a little first. Copying 20 or 25 words per minute won’t be too difficult, but I wonder if I can write that fast? At least that’s the way I read the rule, “copy one of W1AW’s qualifying runs and submit one minute of solid copy (legible)” which sure sounds like pencil and paper copy. Reading others experience with this it might be possible to use a typewriter though I don’t know if I can type any faster than I can write? Next qualifying run on April 8th. See April QST (page 91) for schedule.

Empirical Findings About Morse Code Learning and the Need For Further Research: is an article written by Mikel L. Forcada, EA5IYL/N7EES and appears in the March 2026 edition of Solid Copy - The CW Operators Club Newsletter. It’s a scholarly treatise on the subject as the author notes:

“A significant body of academic literature exists containing high-quality, reproducible empirical studies on Morse code pedagogy. However, because much of this research is decades old, the findings are at risk of being relegated to obscurity or misrepresented within contemporary amateur radio lore. The accessibility of this data presents a further challenge; many of these papers remain locked behind academic paywalls, hindering their adoption by the ham community”.

I found the article enlightening and believe most Morse enthusiasts will too. I especially enjoyed his research on he idea of “copying behind” that he says is mentioned early in Morse code days; “as early as in an 1899 paper by Bryan and Harter”:

“It should be explained that receiving is practically always ‘copying behind.’ That is, one does not, or should not, anticipate from part of a group of clicks what the rest will be; for if one guesses wrong, confusion of mind and error are likely to follow. Beginners are prone to guess ahead, and must acquire the habit of not doing so. Experts learn to wait. One expert said, “It is more natural to read back.” He was asked if ‘reading back’ was like counting the strokes of a clock just after it is done striking. He replied, ‘precisely’”

Good stuff and and an article well worth digging into at your convenience.