[Fists] A New Way to Teach Morse Code

[Karl J. Zuk]

Dan:

The hardest thing about teaching code is developing enough passion in a 
student to do the work and pass. You will usually know in one or two 
sessions who will be winners and who will be losers. My in-person technique 
is simple. From day one, no talking. I make up index cards with assumed 
identities with odd call letters, QTHs, names, rigs and weather. Using code 
oscillators, I force the students to get the message through. Use only QSO 
format, since this is how they are tested. All other drills seem to be 
wasted time. Getting the students to know the world of CW, the names of rig 
manufacturers, the basic exchanges of info., and the lingo of the hobby, 
makes all the difference in getting them to pass the test and enjoy the 
Morse language.

One thing to check out: Look at a new Internet system called CW 
Communicator. This is a computer to computer system of sending code.

Download free software for "CW Communicator" at: http://www.mrx.com.au/. 
Install the application on your computer. Establish an Internet connection. 
It's easy to set up for operation. Your down-arrow key on your keyboard is 
your straight key. You can attach an external key or keyer to a serial port 
on your computer, if you wish.

First, click on the icon that looks like little slide-fader volume controls. 
Go to "Morse Key" and click on "manual," "keyboard," and "reset method" and 
save your settings by clicking "close". Make sure your computer audio is on. 
Press the down-arrow key and the box in the upper left hand corner should go 
white and you should hear your keying. Now you are ready.

Next, go to the first icon that looks like a globe. Here you to connect the 
server. Enter your callsign. Hit "connect" and you will be connected to the 
server. Unless you enter another virtual channel in the "Morse Key" box, you 
will default to the calling channel of 1000. After you are connected, click 
the icon that looks like a computer monitor to reveal all the operators who 
are communicating on the virtual channels. Go have an Internet CW QSO!

No license or HF gear is needed to communicate this way. It is strictly 
computer-to-computer. I have already worked several hams and non-hams from 
around the world on this system. There is no QRN, QRM or QSB, but there is 
sometimes a bit of a lag when Internet traffic is high. It's a whole new way 
of sending code, and a great way to practice your abilities before you earn 
HF privileges. Try it out today!

Happy New Year, Karl Zuk N2KZ

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