Morse Code Prose 
CW FOREVER AND EVER
by Jim Hatherley, WA1TBY
You must have at times thought into the past,
Where some things go out while others last,
What comes to my mind is the old morse code,
That has weathered the storms from any abode,
To talk with ones fingers is surely an art,
Of any info you care to impart,
In most conditions the signals get through,
While the same about phone is simply not true,
Those dits and dahs cut through the trash,
Of near by noise or lightning's crash,
To the sensitive ears of the hams receiver,
Who records this data with ardent fever,
He knows he's doing something unique,
(In such poor conditions that's quiet a feat),
To roger the message that came off the air,
These brass pounders sure do have that flair,
They say Morse ops are a dying breed,
But don't despair there's always that need,
That when conditions get rough for the new automation,
Be rest assured there'll be need for your station,
CW is dying? Believe it never,
This mode will be 'round forever and ever,
But one thing is sure what we really need,
Is to relay out knowledge to the younger breed,
To carry the torch long after we're gone,
To send Morse code through the air like a song,
When at last silent keys pull that lever,
We can rest in peace,
It's CW forever.
Taken from COLLECTOR AND EMITTER OF FEBURARY 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"QRN, QRM, QSB es all.
will not deter me anytime,
from sending out my call.
there may be someone out there,
waiting patiently,
for the sound of friendly code,
coming from my key...
I must make sure I send it well,
es with a steady hand,
so the person on the other end
will not misunderstand.
I QRS and ask the same,
if I feel the need -
I will not try impressing you
pretending I can speed;
I vow I will be patient,
and do a slo 'ragchew"
with the new ops that I meet.
I was new once too!
So as I sit, and send my call,
and wonder who I'll meet,
I marvel at the way this works.
I think it's kinda neat!
So listen up all you ops!
The new as well as old...
For my call... I'll work you all!
'cause I just "LOVE" Morse code!
73 Bill ...
ARS: > VE5HQ
FISTS CW #3664
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CODE ODE
by Troy Weidenheimer, W0ROF
It's more than dots and dashes,
It's a place.
A sanctuary for those who've learned
To love the mysterious magic of
Thoughts arriving in mile-long strings
On roads of ether or wire.
Even more, it's peace,
A shield from the disordered sounds
Of traffic, angry people
And industrial clutter clatter,
Within its warm mantle
We find soothing respite.
And the patter of bright ideas it is,
The sharp focusing of others' thoughts
From miles beyond our vision's range,
As in a dream we sit so still,
It floats in our ears and stirs our minds
With concern, remembrance, speculation
And mirth.
And code is music,
From sounders and speakers it dances
In the shack to each sender's inner clock,
And comes butter-smooth, deliciously swinging,
Or choppy staccato from a "fist" praising definition,
Or perfectly metered, flowing exquisitely
From the gentle hand of an artist.
A place,
And peace,
Intelligence and
Music.
Code is more than dots and dashes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"GK’s Ode To Dah Code"
by Gary Spence VE2GK/VE3KG cspence@synapse.net
We' ve all heard the cry "abandon the code!,
it's useless outdated, NOT a mod-er-n mode!"
So I said to myself,"could codes' day really be over?
Best left for SKs' fer-til-iz-n' the clover?"
So off went my paddle 'n keyer to a museum,
so those curious of our "past" could drop in an' see um.
I then bought a computer and a box I was told...
would update my station,using all hi-tech modes.
It then was set up,all by my own hand...
the screen it lit up et voilà Heard Is-land!
I switched to transmit to" talk with this gent"
but my screen read "sorry, can't copy 100%!"
"There's static,interference if you could hear it you'd agree...
if it ain't armchair copy we machines cry c'est la vie!"
It then said "there is as YOU know a way to get through,
it's called the code,and what luck for you!"
"You've learned this art,you "stuck it out"
'tis a valuable tool,there isn't a doubt."
"You' ve invested your time,and besides the code you did learn,
possession of valuable skills must be... EARNED!"
So I say to you now don't get fooled when some say...
"Codes an' old dinosaur fadin' away!"
It's part of our past,present and future existence...
anti-coders prepare for "beaucoup de resistence"
I live in a part of Canada where French is the main language. I would like to translate a few french expressions found within the poem. "et voilà"...means "and here is"...(pronounced "aye vwuh-luh") "beaucoup de resistance"....alot of resistance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you loose the thrill of a QSO
With a W-one or two,
When the fact that you`re heard in some far
distant land
Just don`t mean a thing to you--
When sending a card is a burdomsome task
And a listeners card is taboo
It`s time you pulled switches and closed up
your shack
For there`s nothing in this game for you.
When you snub a beginner, when a "chirp"
is a crime
And a "QRS" plea you abhor,
You better get out of ham radio, friend
For there`s no more fun for you anymore.
I just love to be told, "You`re my first VE3",
If he only lives over the line;
The pleasure of working a chirpy DC
Is a thrill, boy, to me anytime.
I like to "pipe down", send slow to a kid;
Sure-- and tell him his keying is fine.
And when he comes out with that "Pse QSL"
Believe me, the pleasure`s all mine.
If you would enjoy this old radio game
Just pause and hark back o`er the years
When you hooked a "seven", you thought
you`d done fine
And to loose him just almost brought tears.
You`ve got to think back to your old lid days again
and remember that this is quite true,
You must do unto others in this Amateur World
As you`d have them do unto you.
Compliments of
W8RHZ (late)
VE3DQG
VE3VDX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the poem about the origin of the YL 33, from Margaret Dunn, KC7LXS, who got it from Terrie, AB7PX.
BIRTH OF THE THIRTY-THREE
CLARA HAD HER TICKET
SHE ALSO HAD A RIG.
BECAUSE SHE WAS JUST STARTIN
IT WASN'T VERY BIG.
SHE SLOWLY TUNED THE CRYSTAL,
AND WATCHED THE METER DROP.
THEN TAPPED THE KEY A COUPLE TIMES
TO BE SURE IT WOULDN'T STOP.
NOW EVERYTHING WAS READY.
SHE CALLED A SHORT CQ
AND RECEIVED AN ANSWER
ON THIRTY-SIX SIXTY-TWO.
THEY CHEWED THE FAT 'BOUT STUFF AND THINGS.
'BOUT DRESSES, WORK AND DATES.
THEY FINALLY CALLED IT QRT
THE GIRL SENT EIGHTY-EIGHTS.
CLARA THOUGHT IT MIGHT FUNNY.
WHETHER IT BE MISS OR MRS.
TO END A PERFECT QSO
BY SENDING "LOVE AND KISSES"
IT SOUNDS TOO SENTIMENTAL;
JUST A LITTLE TOO MUCH "GOO"
TO BE SENDING "LOVE AND KISSES"
TO A GIRL THE SAME AS YOU.
FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK SHE PONDERED;
WOULDN'T EVEN TOUCH THE RIG.
SHE PUSHED HER SLIDE RULE BY THE HOUR,
EMPLOYING "LOGS" AND "TRIG".
SHE ADDED AND SUBTRACTED.
WHAT COULD THE ANSWER BE?
TO REACH A HAPPY MEDIUM
TWIXT EIGHTY-EIGHT AND SEVENTY-THREE.
CLARA FINALLY LOOKED UP FROM HER WORK
ALL AMILES AND NOT FORLORN.
TWAS JULY IN NINTEEN FORTY
THAT THIRTY THREE WAS BORN.
THERE'S NO REAL DEFINITION
BUT IT'S MEANING IS KNOWN WELL.
IT'S HOW A YL SAYS GOOD EVENING
TO ANOTHER FRIEND YL.
The History and Proper Use of 33
"33", the signature used between YL's is often mis-used and its origin tends to get lost.
YLRL was organized in 1939 and it was at this time that, through YLRL women amateur Radio Operators seemed to find their niche.
"YL" was adopted as a general term denoting any licensed Amateur feminine operator, regardless of age or marital status.
"33" was originated this same year by Clara, W2RUF - ex W8KYR- and adopted by YLRL for exclusive YL use. It means "Love sealed with friendship between one YL and another YL".
With this background and meaning, it is very understandable that "33" is not only exclusive with YL's but is NEVER used in the plural. We sign "33", never 33"s.
Reprinted from YL Harmonics, Issue #2, 1980.
(Note also that 73 and 88 should NEVER be used in the plural form. You would not say Best Regards's nor Hugs and Kisses's would you?)
CW FOREVER AND EVER
by Jim Hatherley, WA1TBY
You must have at times thought into the past,
Where some things go out while others last,
What comes to my mind is the old morse code,
That has weathered the storms from any abode,
To talk with ones fingers is surely an art,
Of any info you care to impart,
In most conditions the signals get through,
While the same about phone is simply not true,
Those dits and dahs cut through the trash,
Of near by noise or lightning's crash,
To the sensitive ears of the hams receiver,
Who records this data with ardent fever,
He knows he's doing something unique,
(In such poor conditions that's quiet a feat),
To roger the message that came off the air,
These brass pounders sure do have that flair,
They say Morse ops are a dying breed,
But don't despair there's always that need,
That when conditions get rough for the new automation,
Be rest assured there'll be need for your station,
CW is dying? Believe it never,
This mode will be 'round forever and ever,
But one thing is sure what we really need,
Is to relay out knowledge to the younger breed,
To carry the torch long after we're gone,
To send Morse code through the air like a song,
When at last silent keys pull that lever,
We can rest in peace,
It's CW forever.
Taken from COLLECTOR AND EMITTER OF FEBURARY 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"QRN, QRM, QSB es all.
will not deter me anytime,
from sending out my call.
there may be someone out there,
waiting patiently,
for the sound of friendly code,
coming from my key...
I must make sure I send it well,
es with a steady hand,
so the person on the other end
will not misunderstand.
I QRS and ask the same,
if I feel the need -
I will not try impressing you
pretending I can speed;
I vow I will be patient,
and do a slo 'ragchew"
with the new ops that I meet.
I was new once too!
So as I sit, and send my call,
and wonder who I'll meet,
I marvel at the way this works.
I think it's kinda neat!
So listen up all you ops!
The new as well as old...
For my call... I'll work you all!
'cause I just "LOVE" Morse code!
73 Bill ...
ARS: > VE5HQ
FISTS CW #3664
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CODE ODE
by Troy Weidenheimer, W0ROF
It's more than dots and dashes,
It's a place.
A sanctuary for those who've learned
To love the mysterious magic of
Thoughts arriving in mile-long strings
On roads of ether or wire.
Even more, it's peace,
A shield from the disordered sounds
Of traffic, angry people
And industrial clutter clatter,
Within its warm mantle
We find soothing respite.
And the patter of bright ideas it is,
The sharp focusing of others' thoughts
From miles beyond our vision's range,
As in a dream we sit so still,
It floats in our ears and stirs our minds
With concern, remembrance, speculation
And mirth.
And code is music,
From sounders and speakers it dances
In the shack to each sender's inner clock,
And comes butter-smooth, deliciously swinging,
Or choppy staccato from a "fist" praising definition,
Or perfectly metered, flowing exquisitely
From the gentle hand of an artist.
A place,
And peace,
Intelligence and
Music.
Code is more than dots and dashes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"GK’s Ode To Dah Code"
by Gary Spence VE2GK/VE3KG cspence@synapse.net
We' ve all heard the cry "abandon the code!,
it's useless outdated, NOT a mod-er-n mode!"
So I said to myself,"could codes' day really be over?
Best left for SKs' fer-til-iz-n' the clover?"
So off went my paddle 'n keyer to a museum,
so those curious of our "past" could drop in an' see um.
I then bought a computer and a box I was told...
would update my station,using all hi-tech modes.
It then was set up,all by my own hand...
the screen it lit up et voilà Heard Is-land!
I switched to transmit to" talk with this gent"
but my screen read "sorry, can't copy 100%!"
"There's static,interference if you could hear it you'd agree...
if it ain't armchair copy we machines cry c'est la vie!"
It then said "there is as YOU know a way to get through,
it's called the code,and what luck for you!"
"You've learned this art,you "stuck it out"
'tis a valuable tool,there isn't a doubt."
"You' ve invested your time,and besides the code you did learn,
possession of valuable skills must be... EARNED!"
So I say to you now don't get fooled when some say...
"Codes an' old dinosaur fadin' away!"
It's part of our past,present and future existence...
anti-coders prepare for "beaucoup de resistence"
I live in a part of Canada where French is the main language. I would like to translate a few french expressions found within the poem. "et voilà"...means "and here is"...(pronounced "aye vwuh-luh") "beaucoup de resistance"....alot of resistance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you loose the thrill of a QSO
With a W-one or two,
When the fact that you`re heard in some far
distant land
Just don`t mean a thing to you--
When sending a card is a burdomsome task
And a listeners card is taboo
It`s time you pulled switches and closed up
your shack
For there`s nothing in this game for you.
When you snub a beginner, when a "chirp"
is a crime
And a "QRS" plea you abhor,
You better get out of ham radio, friend
For there`s no more fun for you anymore.
I just love to be told, "You`re my first VE3",
If he only lives over the line;
The pleasure of working a chirpy DC
Is a thrill, boy, to me anytime.
I like to "pipe down", send slow to a kid;
Sure-- and tell him his keying is fine.
And when he comes out with that "Pse QSL"
Believe me, the pleasure`s all mine.
If you would enjoy this old radio game
Just pause and hark back o`er the years
When you hooked a "seven", you thought
you`d done fine
And to loose him just almost brought tears.
You`ve got to think back to your old lid days again
and remember that this is quite true,
You must do unto others in this Amateur World
As you`d have them do unto you.
Compliments of
W8RHZ (late)
VE3DQG
VE3VDX
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the poem about the origin of the YL 33, from Margaret Dunn, KC7LXS, who got it from Terrie, AB7PX.
BIRTH OF THE THIRTY-THREE
CLARA HAD HER TICKET
SHE ALSO HAD A RIG.
BECAUSE SHE WAS JUST STARTIN
IT WASN'T VERY BIG.
SHE SLOWLY TUNED THE CRYSTAL,
AND WATCHED THE METER DROP.
THEN TAPPED THE KEY A COUPLE TIMES
TO BE SURE IT WOULDN'T STOP.
NOW EVERYTHING WAS READY.
SHE CALLED A SHORT CQ
AND RECEIVED AN ANSWER
ON THIRTY-SIX SIXTY-TWO.
THEY CHEWED THE FAT 'BOUT STUFF AND THINGS.
'BOUT DRESSES, WORK AND DATES.
THEY FINALLY CALLED IT QRT
THE GIRL SENT EIGHTY-EIGHTS.
CLARA THOUGHT IT MIGHT FUNNY.
WHETHER IT BE MISS OR MRS.
TO END A PERFECT QSO
BY SENDING "LOVE AND KISSES"
IT SOUNDS TOO SENTIMENTAL;
JUST A LITTLE TOO MUCH "GOO"
TO BE SENDING "LOVE AND KISSES"
TO A GIRL THE SAME AS YOU.
FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK SHE PONDERED;
WOULDN'T EVEN TOUCH THE RIG.
SHE PUSHED HER SLIDE RULE BY THE HOUR,
EMPLOYING "LOGS" AND "TRIG".
SHE ADDED AND SUBTRACTED.
WHAT COULD THE ANSWER BE?
TO REACH A HAPPY MEDIUM
TWIXT EIGHTY-EIGHT AND SEVENTY-THREE.
CLARA FINALLY LOOKED UP FROM HER WORK
ALL AMILES AND NOT FORLORN.
TWAS JULY IN NINTEEN FORTY
THAT THIRTY THREE WAS BORN.
THERE'S NO REAL DEFINITION
BUT IT'S MEANING IS KNOWN WELL.
IT'S HOW A YL SAYS GOOD EVENING
TO ANOTHER FRIEND YL.
The History and Proper Use of 33
"33", the signature used between YL's is often mis-used and its origin tends to get lost.
YLRL was organized in 1939 and it was at this time that, through YLRL women amateur Radio Operators seemed to find their niche.
"YL" was adopted as a general term denoting any licensed Amateur feminine operator, regardless of age or marital status.
"33" was originated this same year by Clara, W2RUF - ex W8KYR- and adopted by YLRL for exclusive YL use. It means "Love sealed with friendship between one YL and another YL".
With this background and meaning, it is very understandable that "33" is not only exclusive with YL's but is NEVER used in the plural. We sign "33", never 33"s.
Reprinted from YL Harmonics, Issue #2, 1980.
(Note also that 73 and 88 should NEVER be used in the plural form. You would not say Best Regards's nor Hugs and Kisses's would you?)
