[CW] Newbie

[Will White]

Scott,

I identify strongly with being a kid unable to learn the code (or in my case
just a little too hyperactive, at age 12-13, to acquire the discipline).  I
aasume you use a PC, not a Mac. I use mostly Mac, and have had great results
using MorseTrainer 1.1.1 and Morse Mania. As for PC, I don't think they are
freeware, but there are several fully-functional, non-time-limited shareware PC
CW trainers available: NuMorse; Morse Academy, SuperMorse, and a number of
others. All can be located and downloaded via www.qrz.com, or www.ac6v.com.  I
have used them all, and all work well and are flexible, though each has its own
strengths. Check them all out to see which suits your "learning style" best.

I would also *strongly* recommend you have a look, at least, at Bill  [N0HFF]
Pierpont's  book "The Art & Skill of Radiotelegraphy," 3rd revised edition,
which is available for free download (http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm) in
either Word or .PDF formats (I think HTML also, not sure).  This book will give
you a lot of great info about learning the code, and a bit of history to boot.
This is the book on the subject of learning CW, and is very practical, thorough,
and well-written.  Most of all, take to heart what Bill says about learning the
code as a system of sounds, and avoiding visualization, counting, and other
"tricks" that end up sabotaging you. If you ever intend to use the code on the
air at all, beyond simply passing the Element 1 CW 5WPM exam, from the very
start learn Morse at a speed of at least 10 WPM (higher character
speed/Farnsworth as well). If you go at it at the minimum 5 WPM level, you will
indeed be able to pass the FCC/VEC test sooner, but will find that QSOing at 5
WPM is dull and frustrating for most people, and you inevitably learn to count
dits and dahs and visualize at very low speeds, so the task of increading your
speed beyond a threshold of 10 WPM will be more difficult, a lot harder than if
you approach CW with the aim to learn at a base speed above 10 WPM. It'll take a
week or two longer, but it is worth it! Best of success, let the group know your
progress.

73, Will, KD7BFX

scott wrote:

> Hi, I am new and trying to learn Morse Code.  Can anyone suggest software,
> freeware preffered, that I can use to help me?
> Code was the stumbling block to me getting my license when I was a kid.  I
> certainly have the discipline now to master it, I just need to head in the
> right direction.
> Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.
>
> Thank You,
> Scott
>
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--
Will White, KD7BFX
Seattle WA US
King County, Grid CN87tq
ITU Zone 6, CQ Zone 3
***************************************************
"The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand.
The ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat.
You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles.
The wireless is the same, only without the cat."
                                                      - Albert Einstein
***************************************************