Favourite band for Morse (and newbies)?

[captainsemtex]

I'm not new to Amateur Radio... but am new to HF. I'm currently learning Morse Code and plan to order the new QRP Labs QCX+ kit and matching 50W PA.

But which band to choose?

My default choice is 40m because I know there are some slow Morse stations there but what would you suggest please?

73 Ian

[gil]

Hello,

40m is a great choice, and as your only band, go for it!
I do like 30m but because there are no contests there and no voice ops, and also because I already have a bunch of 40m radios...

Gil.

[bkmoore]

You can't go wrong starting on 40m. Most slow speed CW is between 7.050 and 7.060 or above 7.110 MHz.

[JS6UEY]

Depends upon your QTH.  In many locations 40m is very popular, but where I live (most stations are 1500+km away) 80/40 are rarely used.  20/17/15 are much more popular.

Check PSKreporter and reverse beacon for an idea of traffic in your area.

73
Scott

[Old Radio Bloke]

40m is a good choice. As well as being popular, even in our sunspot minimum you are pretty much guaranteed to hear activity anytime of day or night. You get a lot of slower CW around the 7030KHz QRP frequency.

I think the QCX is a great transciever. I have built two and use both regularly.