QRQ Crew Club

High-Speed CW Amateur Radio

Established December 10, 2025

Read the Founding Charter →

Why We Exist

The QRQ Crew exists to initiate Amateur Radio Operators into the culture, practice, and techniques of high-speed Morse Code CW operation. We are a community built on the pursuit of proficiency at 35 WPM and above.

Promote the learning, practice, and use of high-speed Morse Code (CW) on the Amateur Radio bands.

Provide a gateway for operators interested in achieving proficiency at 35 WPM and above.

Offer support, encouragement, and guidance to aspiring QRQ operators.

Create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where members can develop their abilities comfortably.

Foster community among like-minded Amateurs through practice, mentorship, and shared operating events.

Organize operating events such as Sprints, Activity Nights, and other gatherings to promote on-air operation at higher speeds.

Club Events

Regular activities to promote QRQ CW operation and build community among members.

QRQuesday

Weekly Activity Night — Every Tuesday

2300z–0300z (DX members: 1900z–2300z, may continue to 0300z if conditions allow)

Call CQ QC or listen for other members calling CQ QC. Meet and greet fellow QRQ Crew members! QSO with members and non-members alike. Exchange member numbers if you like. A casual event to increase QRQ activity on the HF CW bands and promote awareness of the club.

QRQ POTA Day

Monthly Activation Event — Last Friday of Each Month

0000z–2359z

A casual event for POTA activators who are QC members. Try to increase your speed during activations, but be considerate of QRS operators. Listen for other QC members and send your member number in the exchange. Intended to spark curiosity about QRQ Crew in the POTA community.

Founding Members & Officers

QC #1
Secretary / Treasurer
Pete Wildman
K4MW
QC #2
Vice President
Gabe Donley
WN7JT
QC #3
President
Forrest Stephenson
KI7QCF

Membership Requirements

Membership is open to any licensed Amateur Radio operator who demonstrates their commitment to learning QRQ CW. This club is for those wanting to learn QRQ—you don't need to be an expert, just eager.

How to Join

Complete a 35 WPM CW QSO with a current QRQ Crew member—the contact must occur after that member's join date. Then, ask that member to recommend you for membership by emailing on your behalf.

After initial contact, you may QRS to a comfortable speed. The requirement is to initiate contact with clear, well-formed, copyable code at 35 WPM—however, sustaining a full QSO or being able to copy at that speed is not required.

Operating Standards

All code must be sent by hand and decoded by ear. This applies to the application process and activity during club events. We exist to promote manual QRQ CW but recognize that especially at higher speeds (>50wpm) there are practical limitations for many operators. The keying speeds needed to join the club are well within reach for most operators with a little practice.

✓ Allowed
  • Straight keys
  • Bugs
  • Paddles
  • Cooties
  • Single & twin lever paddles with electronic keyers
✗ Not Allowed
  • CW-Keyboards
  • Memory keyers
  • Automated code from devices
  • Electronic/mechanical decoders

Cost

Membership is free. There are no dues.

Club Roster

View the current list of QRQ Crew members.

View Full Roster →

📡 Ham2K PoLo Integration
Import our callsign notes file to automatically display QRQ Crew membership info when logging members.