Learn Morse Code

I tried to learn Morse Code when I was younger but gave up. Not because I couldn't (as I incorrectly thought at the time) but because I didn't have the correct training or determination. At 40 I tried again, but this time with the aid of some computer programs I have reached 15wpm (words per minute) and am aiming higher.

Before you do anything I urge you to read the excellent 'The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy" written by the esteemed N0HFF. It is a long but essential read BEFORE, DURING and AFTER you have learnt CW. Also Download G4FON's KOCH training program and MorseGen from G4ILO - use the one you feel most suits your needs. See the 'Tips' Page to make the best use of them.

Also join Learn CW on-line (LCWO) - it is a great resource for learning on the internet. It has many tests and records your progress as you improve.

Watch these videos showing how morse was taught by the US Army - great!

My 14 steps to learning morse code are:

1. You can do it, at any age (almost)

2. It is hard work (but so is learning any language), but worth it

3. Never start learning at less then 15wpm

4. Never pick up a key until you can read/copy code

5. REGULAR, CONCENTRATED PRACTICE IS ESSENTIAL

6. Use the KOCH method or FARNSWORTH (I suggest the KOCH approach)

7. Take time to test yourself thoroughly and be a harsh judge - 89% copy is not good enough if the target is 90%.

8. When you doubt you are making progress - press on for another 2 minutes!

9. Try a straight key but you could go straight to a paddle (see note below)

10. Send to a computer until it can read what you send at about 90% (use WD6CNF's free CW Decoder - the best!)

11. Get on the air: steps 1-10 will go out of the window! All the characters you hear will merge into one and your fingers will be like jelly. The noise and interference will conspire against you as will your rig, pen, paper, chair and anything else in the shack! Once you get through it you will shake. Then you will want to do it again, and again, and again

12. Keep practising like you did before but at higher speeds

13. learn to read CW in your head

14. Repeat steps 11 -13 until your 'silent key' time arrives

They are simple steps but I wish I had known them when I started out. I revisit steps 12 and 13 regularly and hope to avoid my 'silent key' time for as long as possible!

Comments on step 9 - I am in several minds on this one. After spending so long learning to copy CW I wanted some reward and getting on the air was it! A paddle achieved it and with reasonable results and I'm getting better. Learning to send on a straight key first would have sent me demented. I do feel I've cheated a little and if I needed to send CW without a paddle I'd be semi-lost.

I know several Radio Amateurs of old who passed the GPO test on a straight key and never touched one again, preferring a paddle. When you get to really high speeds a paddle or keyboard are needed so why go from straight to paddle to keyboard? Well I suppose you learn the rhythm, serve your apprenticeship and then you are a master but the choice is up to you, the person on the other end of the QSO is mainly interested in the quality and content of your CW, not necessarily how you are generating it. I will be learning the straight key later on in life.

BUT WAIT.... I recently picked up a straight key and started sending near perfect CW. The paddle experiance seems to have engrained the correct timing into me and now I'm going to have a try at a straight key QSO! Paddle to straight works for me.

If you think my list of steps needs changing - let me know!