r/amateurradio•
Such_Key

In Need of Straight Answers.

QUESTION

Okay so about a month ago I caught the CW fever (I can copy at ~20 wpm and send around the same). I don't have my HAM ticket yet but I have studied up and believe myself to be ready for when my test comes around. But I have had a lot of trouble finding out what equipment I need to buy to start off as a CW op. My constraints are as follows: I am looking for a simple inexpensive radio (from what I have gathered single band is fine as I plan on starting off CW only) If I need a separate keyer so be it, A fairly small efficient antenna; I live in a rented house without a yard and I don't plan on DXing dits & dahs to Japan or the ISS HIHI, and anything else that I am too naive to know I have missed. I already have a set of Putikeeg paddles to ragchew on Vband with. Shout out WA3SCM.

TLDR: Beginner CW op who doesn't have a lot of space or huge funds needs a list of gear that would be nice to start a modest QRP station in his rented home.

Posted Feb 22, 2026, 4:59 PM UTC

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