Learn CW Online

A new website to learn and practice Morse telegraphy has been launched: http://lcwo.net/ - Learn CW Online

There are already hundreds of training programs, MP3/CD courses and practice aids available, but LCWO follows a radically different concept: While sticking to well-proven methods for learning and practice, all you need for using LCWO is a web browser!

This gives the user the liberty to practice CW wherever an internet connection is available, always retaining the personal settings, scores and statistics.

Currently the site, which is available in 17 languages offers a complete Koch method Morse course, code group practice, callsign- and plain text training modes and also allows to convert random text to Morse MP3s.

A high score list is available to compare results with other users, personal statistics help to track training progress.

LCWO.net is a non-commercial project. Creating a free account only takes a few seconds, and you can start practicing CW right away!

Fabian Kurz, DJ1YFK

Days of Future Passed - ARRL SKN 2009

USS COD SS-224 W8COD Operating CW (Morse Code)

The audio level is very high on this video, so turn your computer audio level down before viewing the video.

K1EL CW Keyboard Keyer Kit

Kiwi morse tutor program

Learning The Morse Code

There are three words that help you to learn morse code:

PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE To help you get the practise, here is Gary Bold's free teaching software for learning morse (PC only, Windows 95/98 and above systems).

It can be downloaded here 550 kilobytes (kB)- (Last updated: 04/02/2008)Its just like learning to ride a bicycle. It’s far better to learn the Morse symbols by sound, and not sight! It is not a good idea to memorise a written table. Get an experienced Morse operator to send characters to you with an audio oscillator, saying each symbol after it’s sent. You want to recognise the symbols by their sound. Tapes are available which will teach you to recognise the symbols by their sound.

The ideal method to learn Morse is by use of a computer. Morse code training programmes are available –– see below for one of them.

Learn them at the same time–if learned later, they take a long while to become as familiar as the symbols. Learn each symbol at a speed of about 12 – 14 WPM, with long gaps between symbols. The gaps will close as you advance. When you have learned the symbols you can practice from a tape at varying speeds or at dub Morse classes.

Rufz - "Listening to Callsigns"

"Rufz" is the abbreviation of the German word "Rufzeichen-Hören", which means "Listening to Callsigns". RufzXP is an excellent training software for improving code speed and CW practice, particularly (ultra) high speed memory copying of true amateur radio calls. Focussing on improvement of CW proficiency, it is no contest simulator and does not provide for QRM. It provides additional tools for keeping track of training progress and comparing with other operators via International RufzXP Toplist

More at http://www.rufzxp.net/

W4BQF: QRQ or Copying CW over 70 wpm

Don't pass this article up because it talks about super high speed CW. Some of the suggestions apply to all speeds.

Quite often I am asked "How can you copy CW at 70 wpm and higher?" Since it's pretty insulting just to answer by saying "Practice, practice, practice", I normally wind up emailing back a synopsis on how I learned to do it. Others have used different methods of achieving QRQ copy by ear.

What I have to say on this subject is only my own personal opinion, which normally does not agree with everyone else!

I really don't believe in the various methods of learning code. I think learning to copy high speed code is much simpler than following someone else's method of learning to copy QRQ. What I am sharing with you is things that I found to work for me.

More at http://tom.w4bqf.googlepages.com/COPYINGCWOVER70WPM

eHam.net: The St. Louis Key

The St. Louis key is actually a not so much an individual key, but a way of making all sorts of keys. The "key" ingredient ( pardon the pun) is the use of parts salvaged from old Telephone Lever Switches and telephone relays. These parts are long springy levers with very good contact points, sometimes even made of silver.

More at http://www.eham.net/articles/20086

DUAL MODE MORSE CODE KEY

eHam.net: Learn CW Online!

Welcome to LCWO.net - Learn CW Online!

At LCWO you can learn Morse telegraphy (CW) online in your browser. You don't need to install a program on your computer, and you always have your personal settings available, from any computer on the globe with an internet connection. You can also easily track your progress by means of different statistical functions.

Sign up for a free account (or use username "test", password "test" to play around) and start learning or improving your CW today
Features

More at http://lcwo.net/

BBS News: Morse code alive and well

Morse code has been proving popular with a group in the North West, showing it still has a future despite the mobile phone.

See the video here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7544147.stm

CQ YouTube

QRZ.com: Morse code ringtone generator

Fancy a Morse code ringtone ?

AndyB M1RGZ has a free Morse to Midi web page.

The web page says it converts text into a morse code ringtone playable on most mobile phones. If your phone can play 'polyphonic' or 'poly' ringtones it should work fine.

If your phone has WAP internet access you should be able to download ringtones (for free) directly from this site.

You can also play them back and/or save them on your PC or MAC, or use the Morse2Email feature to send morse messages to other people via email.

AndyB M1RGZ Morse code ringtone generator
http://www.planetofnoise.com/midi/morse2mid.php

QRP HAM RADIO CW TRANSMITTER

Navy MARS Brings Back CW:

E NNN0ASA 050
R 292200Z MAY 2008
FM CHNAVMARCORMARS WILLIAMSBURG VA
TO ALNAVMARCORMARS
INFO CHIEF ARMY MARS FT HUACHUCA AZ
CHIEF AIR FORCE MARS SCOTT AFB IL
BT
UNCLAS
SUBJ: CHNAVMARCORMARS BCST 06-08
A. DRAFT RADIOTELEGRAPH PROCEDURES
1. WHEN I ASSUMED THE CHIEF, NAVMARCORMARS POSITION IN NOVEMBER, 1997, WE WERE MORE THAN A YEAR INTO THE DOD MANDATED BAN ON CW ON MARS FREQUENCIES.
A. SINCE THAT TIME THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION HAS, IN STEPS, ELIMINATED THE MORSE CODE REQUIREMENT FOR AN AMATEUR LICENSE. ALL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATORS KNOW THAT WHEN VOICE AND OTHER DIGITAL MODES SLOW TO A CRAWL OR BECOME UNUSABLE, CW CAN STILL BE USED.
B. I REMEMBER THE NORTHEAST ICE STORM SHORTLY AFTER I BECAME CHIEF AND THE UNNECESSARILY LENGTHY EFFORT BY ALL OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TO RECEIVE ONE VOICE EEI FROM A NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND MEMBER WHOSE ANTENNA WAS COVERED IN ICE AND LYING ON THE GROUND. IT TOOK OVER AN HOUR WHEN CW COULD HAVE HANDLED IT IN A FEW MINUTES.
C. AS MORE AND MORE OF OUR MEMBERS ENTER MARS WITH NO MORSE CODE EXPERIENCE, I AM AFRAID THAT WE WILL SOON LOSE THAT SKILL SET IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING.
2. IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE AND EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, AREA AND REGION DIRECTORS ARE AUTHORIZED TO ESTABLISH CW TRAINING AND TRAFFIC NETS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS AND REGIONS. ALL STATE DIRECTORS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN CONDUCTING TRAINING IN CW ON THEIR TRAFFIC AND TRAINING NETS.
3. SINCE THE RADIOTELEGRAPH PROCEDURES WERE ELIMINATED BEFORE TEH PUBLICATION OF NTP 8(C), REF A WILL BE POSTED UNDER THE DOCUMENTS TAB ON THE NATIONAL WEB PAGE SOON. USE THESE DRAFT PROCEDURES UNTIL A FINAL TRI-SERVICE MARS PROCEDURE FOR RADIOTELEGRAPH IS DEVELOPED AND PROMULGATED.
4. MARS: TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING.
BT
NNNN

Lunchtime CW confusion !

A good lesson about sending CW.

Previous to that, my CQ was answered by another 599 station; but even if my life depended on it; I would not be able to tell you who it was that was calling me. The station answering me sent a string of letters with no breaks whatsoever. It was a jumble and mish-mash of consonants, vowels and numbers. I was able to make out my own call; but that was it.

More at http://w2lj.blogspot.com/2008/05/lunchtime-cw-confusion.html

Straight Key Century Club

Not very good at CW or just like using a straight key? SKCC (Straight Key Century Club) may be for you.

The Straight Key Century Club - a/k/a SKCC is the fastest growing group of straight key, morse code operators in the world. First organized in January of 2006 our membership has rapidly grown to include thousands of members from all corners of the globe.
Here's how it works:

* SKCC is open to any interested licensed radio amateur
* Membership is free
* SKCC numbers are issued for life. Once you get it, it's yours.
* Exchange SKCC numbers using a Straight Key, Bug or Side Swiper.

To Request a SKCC Number, send an email with 'SKCC # Request' as the subject.
Include: Your name, call, city and state and a brief description of why you're joining SKCC

Check it out at http://www.skccgroup.com/

Morse Code at 140 WPM

After reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about Chuck Adams, K7QO, who has a fascinating hobby — or two — I decided to contact him and find out the story for myself.

Chuck copies Morse code accurately at 140 words per minute (WPM), making him one of the fastest operators in the world. When contacted about his amazing feat he said the figure of 140 WPM is “probably misleading.” Chuck explained, “There are three code speeds that I think any good CW operator should know and should know how to measure. Plain text with a ‘mil’ or keyboard. This is the way world records are done and [also] code tests, [copying] one minute without error out of five minutes of plain text from the hard copy generated. [C]ode tests started out this way and then went to either a multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank [test] …before being discontinued.

More at http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2008/05/20/10107/

Fully Automatic Bug (cheap)

GHD's Mechanical version of the "ultimate autokey" harks back to the glory days of mechanical keys. Supplied with three weights, the GN907 can be configured for three different speed ranges. It has an extra contact assembly on the right, so the dash pendulum can be locked and the GN907 will operate as a traditional semi-automatic bug. The base measures 6" x 4" and the weight is

You save can some money. This one is only $1199.95 at http://www.mtechnologies.com/ghd/index.htm#bugs.

Fully Automatic Bug

GHD's "Ultimate" key, the optical sensor FULLY AUTOMATIC bug. This unbelievable machine feels like a slightly "heavy" paddle. The dash pendulum can be "locked" for semi-automatic operation. Reliable optical sensors remove the need for adjusting contacts. The 907 is supplied with three weights for a wide range of operating speeds. A universal powersupply, pre-wired for the 907, is included. The base measures 6" x 4" and the weight is 5 Lbs.

Every shack should have one of these. You can have your very own for only $1549.95. Check it out at http://www.mtechnologies.com/ghd/index.htm#bugs