Posted: 8/5/2015 12:40:24 PM EDT
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For those who have learned it, what software or program did you use?
It's there a method that is considered superior? And once you learn it is it easy to remember or does it require constant practice? |
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Congratulations on wanting to learn CW. It will open up a whole new world for you. W1AW CW practice files will help. You can also copy the W1AW transmissions for real-world practice.
Also, while you're learning to send, use them or machine-generated CW as a model to learn correct character and word spacing. Most modern transceivers can be used as a code practice oscillator (CPO) by turning off the VOX or BREAK-IN. FULL DISCLOSURE: I only operate CW, and have been doing it for over 60 years. |
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Really?? Google it. save all of the reposting electrons. maybe try switching to DECAF ? 
GD is that way ----> ------------------------------------------- I learned CW with the Gordon West tapes, ( now on CDROM ) winged my 5wpm test then failed my 13wpm. the VE's said go home and call CQ on 40m. I did, made myself call CQ every night and do a few QSO's next time I passed with flying colors got home the tossed the paddle under my desk ( because now I could talk on HF) .....to be ignored for almost 20 years. should have stayed with it.....but when the Clinton "assault weapon" ban came along, I sold all my ham gear and bought guns and hicap mags. |
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LCWO.net is a good place for online CW practice.
G4FON's Morse Trainer is an excellent program you can install on your PC for CW also. CW is a perishable skill and requires practice in order to remain proficient. You skills will be only as good as the amount of time you put into practice. CW is not a learn it once and be done with it type of activity. CW is more like a "use it or loose it" skill set. |
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LCWO.net is a good place for online CW practice. G4FON's Morse Trainer is an excellent program you can install on your PC for CW also. CW is a perishable skill and requires practice in order to remain proficient. You skills will be only as good as the amount of time you put into practice. CW is not a learn it once and be done with it type of activity. CW is more like a "use it or loose it" skill set. Can't emphasize that last one enough... |
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I learned CW by getting an Elmer who is a CW god to tutor me. I didn't use any websites but did get an app called "CW Morse" to help me with my practice during non-classroom time. I met with my Elmer twice a week for an hour. Started with code being sent to me very slowly, but with a character rate of 22-25 wpm. That is key! Learn what the code sounds like at reasonable speeds. Characters that are stitched together at 5wpm won't help you too much. I went from being a "no code ham" to sending and receiving at a minimum of 20wpm in about 10 months. But I practiced.... A lot. Get on the air and talk with anybody and everybody that will slow down enough for you to make a QSO. If you're interested, I can get you in touch with a local ham that teaches code via Skype for nothing more than grins. Just let me know and I can get you in touch with him.
Gud luck and 73 de Bru |
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Quoted:
I learned CW by getting an Elmer who is a CW god to tutor me. I didn't use any websites but did get an app called "CW Morse" to help me with my practice during non-classroom time. I met with my Elmer twice a week for an hour. Started with code being sent to me very slowly, but with a character rate of 22-25 wpm. That is key! Learn what the code sounds like at reasonable speeds. Characters that are stitched together at 5wpm won't help you too much. I went from being a "no code ham" to sending and receiving at a minimum of 20wpm in about 10 months. But I practiced.... A lot. Get on the air and talk with anybody and everybody that will slow down enough for you to make a QSO. If you're interested, I can get you in touch with a local ham that teaches code via Skype for nothing more than grins. Just let me know and I can get you in touch with him. Gud luck and 73 de Bru IIRC that's called the Farnsworth method. I learned that way using Super Morse, a DOS program. 
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At our ham club meeting last night a dedicated CW dude gave us all the reasons we should learn code and how we should do so. Here is what he said...
Learn the code with dits and dahs for each letter sent at 20wpm or faster. This forces you to learn the sound of each letter. Space the letters out as much as you need. This greatly accelerates your learning and you get to 20wpm or faster much quicker than learning with very slow dits and dahs. As you speed up you will later learn the sounds of common words, not just the sounds of letters. He said when you get to this level, it is easy to copy CW while carrying on a spoken conversation with someone. I want to believe this but not sure I can. Spend 15 minutes a day on it and you will be amazed at how fast you pick it up. He also told us that CW has a massive advantage over SSB...that a 5W CW signal is as easy to read as a 80W SSB signal. And a 100W CW signal is as easy to read as a 1600W SSB signal. Plus the equipment is much cheaper and simpler. Oh yes, he said forget the hand key. Buy a keyed and a set of paddles and learn with those. He is almost convincing me to get back into CW. I'm thinking about making a deal with myself. Learn CW at 20WPM. Then buy myself a KX3. I don't see how anyone can argue with that, even my wife. |
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One problem with not learning to use the straight key: You'll miss out on all the fun of the Straight Key Century Club activities. We have three monthly "sprints", two are two hour events, and the third a week-end one (which is going on right now). You can often find a contact on one of the SKCC operating frequencies as many members monitor those frequencies while doing other things.
If you enjoy kit building, look at Elecraft's K1. It's a true kit, along the lines of the old Heathkits. If you enjoy the outdoors, QRP backpacking would fit right in: https://www.youtube.com/user/goathiker (Goats optional) |
