Why still getting your Morse certificate in 2026? Well, for starter Morse is fun! Besides the fun, the ‘CW not included’ on my license was always bugging me. But to change that, you need a Morse certificate. So when the announcement of the UBA popped up, I was quite convinced I should be able to do the exam and get the certificate. Especially after participating in the CWA semester of January/February.
The Belgium-route
As explained before, it is not possible to do an Morse exam (which is needed for a Morse certificate) in the Netherlands anymore since the abolition of the Morse code requirement for HF in 1996.
When you want to do a Morse exam, the fastest way is drive to Belgium (neighboring country) and take it there. The Morse exam is only once a year, in April. So if you’re missed it, you have to wait a full year.
Word Per Minute (WPM)
The exam is administered at two different speeds: 5 wpm and 12 wpm. Actually, this is not entirely correct, because in Belgium, 5 wpm means 12 wpm character speed and 5 wpm spacing (effective speed). The same applies to 12 wpm: the character speed is 18 wpm and the spacing is 12 wpm (effective speed). 12/5 wpm is quite achievable. 18/12 is more difficult because you have to write down all the characters on paper during the listening test. And that is quite tough at 18/12 wpm. Especially if you have just completed a semester at CW Academy, where you are specifically trained NOT to write things down.
The Morse certificate test
You are called from the canteen along with other candidates and then take a seat in a small room where you collectively take the listening test. You will be given both the 5wpm and the 12wpm listening tests back-to-back. When you are finished, you hand in your papers and return to the canteen. Afterwards, the candidates who passed the listening test are called up one by one for the signaling test. This is done individually, and two examiners assess your signaling. If this is satisfactory, you have passed.
And guess what? I have passed!
So now I have officially passed all the exams I can take in the hobby. I am quite pleased with that! And I can finally return to training speeds of above 20wpm again with lcwo.net and Morse Runner again to upgrade my speed. And of course get a new license card with ‘CW included’ 😉
