CW, besides being a satisfying skill as is any art, is a great backup mode of
communication. After all, when a keyboard or microphone breaks, one can still
communicate, if only by flipping a power switch on and off or striking two
wires together. And those I have done on several occasions to keep
communications going.

To get my Second Class Radiotelegraph license years ago, I had to send 16 coded
groups per minute and 20 words per minute -- using a hand key!

I had to literally slap the key to get the 20 wpm. The FCC examiner didn't even
blink an eye.

When going for Extra Class ham, one could use a bug for the 20 wpm.

By the way, my ex-WU op mom taught me wire Morse about ten years before I
learned the radiotelegraph code (at age 17).

73,
Bill, K5BY
&
T2-GB-040061