[CW] Newbie

Fri, 26 Jul 2002 08:12:13 -0500

Scott:

This is great advice.  I learned code the wrong way--Boy Scout system of
dots and dashes and counting--and it has taken me a long time to unlearn the
bad habits.  Get this book. I am using it in my practice and I can do 20 WPM
in comfort and can converse in code.  It takes awhile but DON'T start out
using the wrong system!

73, Millard, K9DIY
----- Original Message -----
From: "Will White" <[email protected]>
To: "scott" <[email protected]>
Cc: "CW" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, 2002 July 26 2:12 AM
Subject: Re: [CW] Newbie

> 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
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > CW mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
>
> --
> 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
> ***************************************************
>
>
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