Principles

The aims and guidelines for the CQQRS slow CW practice QSO net are in the About page.   However, in case you're interested, the thinking behind the net and the things that make the net work so well are summarised below. 

Principles of the CQQRS Slow CW Practice QSO Net

• The net is aimed at people who are already learning Morse code, to help build confidence and take the next step of having real on-air QSOs.

• We encourage experienced ops to be on air each week to provide multiple QSO opportunities for everyone - new and experienced operators alike.

• New operators are encouraged to grit their teeth and just have a go - start with basic callsigns, RST and perhaps names in their first QSOs - then start to extend the QSOs when they become more confident.  Mistakes are par for the course and part of the learning;  no one's going to get their nose out of joint if the QSOs don't go according to plan.

• We encourage operators to send no faster than 75% of the speed they're comfortable receiving at - makes for a relaxed QSO.

• We reward people's first QSO with a simple certificate.

• We encourage operators to relax, enjoy the camaraderie and to have fun.

• Our weekly newsletter is the catalyst to encourage everyone to get on and have some fun.  As such the newsletter will be positive, encouraging and inclusive - something to be enjoyed by those who can make the time to read it - and to make readers look forward to the next edition.  The newsletter will not have any discouraging or offensive material - fullstop.  A readible and interesting newsletter is key to encouraging the group week after week.  Most readers don't have time for a long read of everything but photos make the newsletter much easier to skim and more interesting.  If someone has something interesting, ask for a photograph.

• On the net, no one owns the frequency they're on - QSYs are confusing for our newer operators - if someone calls the station who previously responded to your CQ call... let them go, and find a new frequency for yourself - it's not a competition and there's plenty of room.

• The net runs for over five hours to allow for early and late starters.

• We encourage everyone to send below about 12-15wpm (Farnsworth CW may be easier for faster operators while still providing great practice opportunities for all).  The aim is to give non-transmitting listeners something they can practice decoding.

• We encourage team members to bring others in to the net - both learners and experienced operators.

• No pressure, no politics, no frequency ownership, no cliquey groups, no exclusion... just have fun and enjoy the mateship.  Tuesday's net will be a really friendly place to spend a few hours enjoying the art of slow CW.

• We encourage regular frequency scans across our segments of the bands to record QSOs and catch stations calling CQ;  a public web-based SDR or receiver with a waterfall display makes this much easier.  If possible, post an Alert or two on WhatsApp.  

• We encourage participants (including SWLs) to make a record of the stations heard and perhaps record some comments, and pass the information to the web form ( bit.ly/CQQRSNET )  for the weekly CQ QRS newsletter.  The published reports provides encouragement to others to have a go on the net.

• Outside of the net, we use the CQQRS WhatsApp Alerts group to notify of QRS opportunities.

• We also use the CQQRS WhatsApp Rag Chew group to build friendships with others who share your passion of slow CW.

• We encourage team members to be involved in the other similar groups such as the NTARC Morse training net, SKCC, CWOps, VKQRP Club, the various national and local SOTA / VKFF / POTA groups, FISTS Down Under, LICW, V-band. local radio clubs and the various related social media groups etc.  We encourage members of those groups to use the RagChew newsletter to advertise the other groups' activities, and vice-versa.