[CW] Learning Morse

[David Ring]

Someone asked me what to do when they had a CD of 5 wpm Morse code.

This is what I replied.

Go slowly.  Learn the lesson completely before going onward.  I know
you want to learn, but about three (3) letters a week to learn is
about right.  If you have a key and oscillator, you might want to
"tap" along with the Morse.

You know:  Copy the Morse down.  Look at it again while it plays.  If
it is not correct, correct it.  Then when the Morse plays, tap out the
code on the key while you are listening to it and looking at the
letters on the paper!

This way you involve your 1) ears, 2) eyes and 3) hand/arm - three
things are learning!

I teach the longer "letters" first - I start with zero 0, then 9, then
8, O (letter), 7, Q, Z, (Comma), G, M, 6, /, X, (BT) =, B, D, Y, C, K,
N, T

I don't have my list anymore, but the idea is to help the student
"LISTEN" to the whole code element.  Since the student was taught zero
first, he will listen to all five dashes before deciding.

The dots can also be done:

5, 4, H, 3, V, S, F, 2, U, I, 1, P, J, W, (AR) +, (STOP - period) ., L, R, A, E

I usually mix some of the second list into the first list because it
gets boring having each character start with a dash - but the first
letter (5) doesn't get listened to!  It is "the character that starts
with the dot) - so it is always 5 - which is what I don't want to do!

I hope this helps!

73

DR