[Elecraft] [OT] Suggested techniques for teaching CW?

[Alan Bloom]

On Fri, 2009-05-08 at 16:17 -0700, GM0ELP wrote:
> 
> Hi,
>   I find that most people who already know cw forget the part where you
> simply have to memorise the code. 

I learned the code with the following method:

First I learned the Morse code for the letters "E" and "T".  Then I
listened on the air to see if I can hear those characters,  Once I could
convince myself that, yes, that was a single dit (E) or dah (T) then I
would add another easy character or two, like "S" or "M" and listen some
more.

As I gradually added letters, I found I would occasionally be able to
copy a whole word, like "IN" or "THE".  Over a period of a week or two I
was able to learn the entire character set that way and could then
concentrate on copying longer words.

I don't remember exactly how long it took me to learn the code that way
(it was a VERY long time ago :=) but I'm sure it was weeks, not months.
The advantage is that you start off right away copying real imperfect
sending under realistic band conditions so it's not such a shock when
you get your license and start making your first QSOs.

Al N1AL