The 599 Signal Report

Ron-W2ELS

Welcome to The 599 Signal Report, the definitive podcast for the world of Morse code, aka CW. Join your host, Ron W2ELS, as we bring you a perfect "599" signal report of information—perfectly readable, strong, and with a crystal-clear tone. We'll cover everything from the fundamentals of learning CW and key operating techniques to interviews with legendary operators and the latest gear for your shack. Whether you're a seasoned CW veteran or a curious newcomer. Subscribe now and join the conversation! Keep our signal 599! Support the shack at https://ko-fi.com/599signal

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 29: My Favorite Things – Choosing the Right Antenna for POTA

    In this episode, Ron (W2ELS) kicks off the new "My Favorite Things" series by breaking down the backbone of any portable setup: the antenna. He shares his favorite antenna and compares the rapid deployment of a vertical antenna against the multi-band flexibility of an end-fed half-wave (EFHW). Whether you are looking to anchor a single-band pile-up or hunt across bands efficiently, learn which setup best fits your Parks on the Air (POTA) workflow. If you find value in this Podcast, buy me a cup of coffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/599signal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

  2. Jul 4

    Episode 28: Ragchew with Ryan, AC4NK

    In this episode of The 599 Signal Report, host Ron (W2ELS) sits down with Ryan (AC4NK) for an energizing conversation about hitting the ground running in the amateur radio world. Ryan shares his rapid progression from getting licensed to diving headfirst into Morse code (CW) and the thrill of on-air Parks on the Air (POTA) activations. If you found value in this Podcast, buy me a cup of coffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/599signal⁠⁠⁠⁠

  3. Jun 20

    Episode 27: Year of the Club Series: Long Island CW Club (LICW)

    Join host Ron (W2ELS) for a deep dive into the Long Island CW Club (LICW). In this episode, Ron sits down with club founders and key members Howard (WB2UZE) and Mike (N1CC) to explore how the club grew from a small local initiative to a global community with over 8,000 members across 72 countries. In this episode, we discuss: Origins: How a shortage of CW operators at a Field Day inspired the creation of the club, and how it successfully transitioned to a virtual, inclusive community. The "Secret Sauce": Insights into the club's flexible, science-based approach to teaching Morse code, designed to accommodate all learning styles. More Than Just Code: A look at the 182+ forums and classes held weekly, covering everything from antique "boat anchor" gear and antenna building to satellite communications. Commitment to Inclusion: How LICW supports youth, women (YLs), and individuals with disabilities, including the development of a patented haptic device to help the deaf and hearing-impaired learn CW. Field Day & The Future: Details on the club's public-facing, free Field Day training program and the exciting technology roadmap ahead, including a new student portal and member-connecting tools. Whether you are a newcomer looking to learn CW, an experienced operator wanting to get involved, or simply interested in how to build a thriving, member-driven amateur radio community, this episode offers valuable lessons on leadership, education, and the power of connection. Find out more about LICW here: https://longislandcwclub.org/

  4. Jun 13

    Episode 26: Year of the Club Series: Rochester Amateur Radio Assoc (RaRa)

    In this episode of the 599 Signal Report, host Ron (W2ELS) kicks off the Year of the CW Club series — inspired by the ARRL naming 2026 the Year of the Club. The first spotlight shines on Ron's home club: the Rochester Amateur Radio Association (RARA), callsign K2JD. Founded in 1931 with roots going back to 1913, RARA is one of the largest amateur radio organizations in North America, boasting over 500 members across Western New York and the Finger Lakes region. Ron highlights the club's three core pillars — provide, promote, and encourage — covering: EducationCommunity serviceCW & social connectionTune in to future episodes as Ron continues the tour of CW clubs that are keeping Morse code and amateur radio alive. https://www.rochesterham.org/

  5. Jun 3

    Episode 25: Getting Ready for the 2026 World Soccer Tournament Special Event with KD2GUT

    In this episode of The 599 Signal Report, host Ron W2ELS sits down with Caryn KD2GUT, the New York/NJ W2C coordinator for the 2026 World Soccer Tournament special event amateur radio station, to discuss all the excitement building around this massive global sporting event. Whether you're a seasoned CW operator or someone looking to get involved in your first special event, this conversation is packed with enthusiasm for what's coming to the airwaves. In this episode, we cover: The Special Event: An inside look at the planning and the significance of the upcoming W2C special event station for the 2026 World Soccer Tournament. Advice for Operators: If you’ve hit a plateau in your CW journey, Caryn shares her best, practical advice: relax, have fun, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and remember—CW is the friendly mode! Tune in and join the conversation! ⁠http://wc2026ses.org/⁠ OMIK CW Net #AmateurRadio #HamRadio #CW #MorseCode #W2C #SpecialEventStation #599SignalReport #OMIK #RadioSport #Soccer2026

  6. May 30

    Episode 24: Keeping it Real with TJ, K9KJ

    In this episode of The 599 Signal Report, host Ron (W2ELS) sits down in the shack with YouTube creator and passionate CW operator TJ, K9KJ. From avoiding Morse code in the 80s to chasing adrenaline-fueled pileups today, TJ shares his journey, his unique "kitchen table" learning style, and why he chooses to leave the mistakes in his videos. TJ also shares the story behind "Big Time DXer" Whether you are a seasoned DXer, a POTA enthusiast, or just trying to get your head around the dit-and-dah landscape, TJ’s down-to-earth advice and infectious enthusiasm will inspire you to keep chipping away at the code If you found value in this Podcast, buy me a cup of coffee: ⁠⁠⁠ko-fi.com/599signal⁠⁠⁠

  7. May 23

    Episode 23:Ragchew with Bryan W1WC

    In this episode, host Ron (W2ELS) welcomes Bryan (W1WC) to discuss his rapid transition from a casual ham to a dedicated CW (Morse Code) and POTA (Parks on the Air) enthusiast. The "Insurmountable" Goal: A self-taught operator, Bryan mastered CW in just two weeks to meet a personal challenge: making 100 park contacts before buying his dream radio, the Elecraft KX2. POTA Every Day: Originally from Michigan and now in Alabama, Bryan has activated parks nearly every day of the year, preferring the Yaesu FT-710 and the MC-750 antenna. Family Operations: Bryan frequently activates with his wife, Anna (KM4QNA), and his friend Ken (KDPZU), often performing unique dual-op CW activations. Pileup Mastery: Bryan shares expert tips on controlling the chaos, such as varying who you pick from a pileup to keep hunters from "tail-ending" and turning down power to improve copy quality. The Workbench: Beyond operating, Bryan is into 3D printing radio cases and experimenting with "off the wall" antenna designs like terminated dipoles. Look at the big steps and not the small stumbles. Record your activations and review them months later to truly see your progress. Catch Bryan at the Huntsville Hamfest this year!  If you found value in this Podcast, buy me a cup of coffee: ⁠⁠ko-fi.com/599signal⁠⁠

  8. May 16

    Episode 22:Starting Over: Learn CW

    This episode is the final installment of a three-part series about starting a ham radio and CW (Morse code) journey from scratch, hosted by Ron W2ELS. After previously covering licensing and building an $800 station, this episode focuses on mastering Morse code itself. If you found value in this Podcast, buy me a cup of coffee: ⁠ko-fi.com/599signal⁠

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About

Welcome to The 599 Signal Report, the definitive podcast for the world of Morse code, aka CW. Join your host, Ron W2ELS, as we bring you a perfect "599" signal report of information—perfectly readable, strong, and with a crystal-clear tone. We'll cover everything from the fundamentals of learning CW and key operating techniques to interviews with legendary operators and the latest gear for your shack. Whether you're a seasoned CW veteran or a curious newcomer. Subscribe now and join the conversation! Keep our signal 599! Support the shack at https://ko-fi.com/599signal

Information

  • Creator
    Ron-W2ELS
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ron-W2ELS
  • Show Website
    The 599 Signal Report

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