Posted: 7/15/2011 7:54:23 AM EDT
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At the risk of being called a heretic, I'd like to throw a thought out about CW.
Background. I'm a no-code General who has been licensed for about a 1.5 years. Main operating mode in the first year was the digital modes with phone a distant second. In December of last year I started learning code, made my first CW QSO a month ago. Have less than 50 CW QSOs as of today. Spend my time operating phone, digital, and CW about equally. Traditionally, if you wanted to operate CW you spent 6 months or so learning the code. Then you bought a straight key. Practiced with that a while. Once you got "good enough" you then either went with a bug or paddle key. Software CW will get you burned at the stake. My thought is this. We're going about this all backwards. Most of us know how easy it is to run PSK31. The keyboard to keyboard software makes it so easy to make QSOs that it is a great mode for a lot of reasons. Do you know what the varicode is for any of the characters? I don't and I doubt you do either. Neither do either of us care. Is it possible that having new hams or hams new to CW start sending by software first would be better than the tradional methods? Granted the new CW op needs to follow the CW conventions of all the prosigns and stuff like using "es" for "and", but this is easily learned. Once experience is gained then the operator can learn the actual code. Might even be easier since the op has listened to live CW for a while and may have already made the connection with a few characters and maybe a prosign or two. Then if the op decides to manually send CW he could get an iambic key. The keyer required to make a paddle key work helps in keeping the timing correct. After a while with that then if the op wants to go the "expert" route then get a straight key. With a straight key all the dot to dash ratios and the character/word spacing is totally on the op. I hear the grumpy old pharts whining that if you don't send CW at 20wpm with a straight key you're not a real ham. Really? I didn't get that memo. CW is just another mode. Nothing more. Nothing less. There are tools available today that can assist in sending CW. Why not use them? Those same old pharts who will burn you at the stake for sending CW by software will be the first on the pileup when that rare DX shows up sending CW by, you guessed it, software. So, what do you think? |
| I know if I send Morse at 20 WPM with a straight key my arm cramps up in short order. I use an Iambic paddle and taught myself to use it left handed to boot. Did it take some work, you bet, but having my right hand free to write (copy) made a world of difference. The new advice these days is to start with the paddles and work on character formation before going after any speed. The best way to learn Morse is to get on the air and use it. It's more fun when you get better at it. HTH 73, Rob |
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I'd say if someone wants to learn to operate CW and for whatever reason sending with a keyboard helps, then ok. But I don't really see how that method would help someone learn. There are a few tried and true methods that work very well.
I think we ought to enjoy CW for its simplicity and enjoy PSK and soundcard modes for their strengths as well. I like both, but I have no motivation to operate CW with a keyboard any more than I desire to learn to head-copy RTTY diddles or PSK warbles  . Not trying to be a "purist" or anything, I'm just not sure how keyboard to keyboard CW will help folks learn to operate the mode. But hey, if it does, then I say go for it. I'm also not against skipping the straight key though –– if someone has the motivation to learn and the budget for a good paddle, I have no problem with them learning via paddle + keyer.
I'm definitely not a CW snob despite being an enthusiast, so I'd like to think my mind is open. 
Congrats on your CW progress, Hank! Glad to see you enjoying the mode. It can be extremely therapeutic. |
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I'm learning CW right now and bought an MFJ 422 w/ Bencher BY-1 to practice with and eventually use. I downloaded the G4FON Koch Method trainer program and have only dabbled with it so far.
I went with the iambic paddle only because most of the guys I know use one. If I wanted to sit down at their radio I would have no problem operating. Any suggestions on learning methods or aids for a newbie? |
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Quoted:
After a while with that then if the op wants to go the "expert" route then get a straight key. I haven't met a single CW "expert" who uses a straight key. It's similar to using AM on phone... or shooting blackpowder rifles maybe... something done for the nostalgic value, or to preserve an outdated art. Otherwise it's ludicrous to put any time into learning straight key, time that would be vastly better spent just increasing skill/speed with an iambic key/paddles. High speed CW via computer is just another data mode, might as well be running PSK. Learning CW it's usually a lot easier to pick up sending speed than it is receiving/recognition speed, so there's really not an advantage to it versus just getting on the air with a keyer, if your goal is to learn CW. |
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Agree. First thing is get on the air. Period. I've heard way too many newer hams (post 2007) who don't do CW because they don't know code. Software CW at reasonable speeds can get them on the air. I also agree that the path of CW should include learning the code and being able to pound brass. Even at 5wpm.
The new advice these days is to start with the paddles and work on character formation before going after any speed. The best way to learn Morse is to get on the air and use it. It's more fun when you get better at it. HTH 73, Rob The question I guess then is whether software CW has a place, and if so, where in the progression of a CW op. Part of my reasoning for all this is my push to get Techs to use the limits of their ticket. There is a lot more to being a Tech than pinging repeaters. You've got 6m. You've got chunks of 10, 15, 40, and 80m that a Tech can use CW on. Using software CW can get these Techs on the air. There is one Tech who regularly visits a sked page that almost has Worked All States. Most of it on CW. I want to buy him a beer when he gets it. |
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There is no one method for learning CW. What I did was use a software trainer, G4FON is a very good one. The lesson plan was from "Zen and the Art of Radiotelegraphy". Either download or catch the ARRL code practice sessions. Getting them on the air adds in the static and QSB that a real QSO will have. Dirty secret of CW is that the sending is easy, it's the copying that is difficult. Work on copying at a speed of at least 12wpm and keep pushing from there. Dedicate 20 minutes a day, every day.
Any suggestions on learning methods or aids for a newbie? Lastly, just get on the air and work it. My copy speed has slowly gone up. Pretty much can keep up a ragchew at 12wpm. Couldn't do that a month ago. But I keep software CW in the toolbox. Got Spain on 20m at 24wpm this afternoon. No way I could copy that fast and you wouldn't want me even trying to send that fast. I start getting blown primers sending past 18wpm. |
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100% agree. The CW guys in my club all use some sort of paddle key. Yet, they still suggested that I get a straight key as my first key. Why? If a straight key is what you would suggest to a beginner, why don't you use one? Because you can send cleaner, faster code. Oh, so you give a beginner a tougher instrument than what you would use. Makes no sense.
Quoted:
After a while with that then if the op wants to go the "expert" route then get a straight key. I haven't met a single CW "expert" who uses a straight key. It's similar to using AM on phone... or shooting blackpowder rifles maybe... something done for the nostalgic value, or to preserve an outdated art. Otherwise it's ludicrous to put any time into learning straight key, time that would be vastly better spent just increasing skill/speed with an iambic key/paddles. Tradition I guess. Like the poster hanging in our office.. Tradition. Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid. High speed CW via computer is just another data mode, might as well be running PSK. Learning CW it's usually a lot easier to pick up sending speed than it is receiving/recognition speed, so there's really not an advantage to it versus just getting on the air with a keyer, if your goal is to learn CW. Yeah, I get that. 40wpm CW is of no help in learning code. So, it gets back to the question again. Does software CW have a place in the progression of a CW operator? If so, where, when, and how?
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I learned the code with an ancient program called Supermorse. It was a DOS program.. I found it easiest for me to listen to the code and type the letters instead of writing them down. It was faster and actually helped me learn to type. I could then compare what was on the "copied" screen to the "transmitted" screen. I also found it hard in the beginning to copy off the air. The sending styles and imperfect charactors threw me off. I don't use CW really. I will listen to it occasionally just to keep from getting too rusty. I don't think there is anything wrong with using software or a keyer to learn on, but a straight key helped me get the timing down.
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I don't have a keyer of any sort yet, but I do listen in sometimes to try to learn. One of the things I've been doing is have HRD/DM780 listening in and copying for me while I try to copy w/ a pencil. Every so often I look up and compare what I've written w/ whats on the screen. Helps me identify where I've made mistakes in copy. My $.02 -Slice |