[HBQRP] Some CW resources for learning/practicing

[Jim Scott]

Hi Guys,

Seeing this post is timely. I just started another class at our club meetings.
This is a link for you to be able to create MP3 code lessons from text you upload. Handy indeed!!

http://www.morseresource.com/morse/makemorse.php

My procedure is to create a sending block in NOTEPAD, then upload. The Morse Code mp3 is generated and downloaded. I use a digital player with little amp and speaker to present the lessons. I might note that I also print the TEXT on a sheet to hand out. 

This has worked well to introduce newbies to Morse.

The boy scouts brought back the Signaling Merit badge for their 100th anniversary. During that year I trained six youngsters CW and got there speed up to the required 7WPM to pass! 

Even if you don't use the site, it is worth a look. You can set speed, cadence, and pitch. 

73,

Jim Scott
WB0IYC
Life Member ARRL
FISTS 15327
Joplin, MO EM27RC
http://www.wb0iyc.com

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We can see the beginning...
http://www.webbtelescope.org



-----Original Message-----
From: Darrell Fulmer [mailto:darrell.fulmer at gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 01:58 PM
To: hbqrp at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [HBQRP] Some CW resources for learning/practicing

 Here are some resources I have found useful for learning or practicingMorse. I know that you old timers are aware of these, but in case someonewho is just getting started finds this . . .If you are an Android user, I highly recommend “CW Trainer”, by WolfgangPhillips. It has MANY options, and is a wonderful bargain for $2.99 fromthe Play store. It is a great help in learning to copy Morse. (Phillipsalso has several other ham radio related apps -http://www.wolphi.com/ham-radio-apps/ )Of course, there are excellent code practice transmissions by the ARRL’sW1AW. Do a web search for the frequencies and schedules. Or, you candownload practice files ranging from 5 to 40 words-per-minute here:http://www.arrl.org/code-practice-filesIf you can tune CW signals on your own receiver, great, but there are manyWebSDR receivers you can listen to simply using your web browser. You cansee a “waterfall” of the frequencies the receiver is monitoring, with thevarious signals it is hearing moving vertically on the display. You cantune to a particular signal, and specify its mode, to hear and interpretit. For example, besides CW, you can listen to commercial AM radio, SSB,PSK31, RTTY, Olivia, etc. Here is a good place to start looking for WebSDRreceivers: http://www.websdr.org/FLDIGI“Fldigi” is a terrific program for converting CW and several digital modesignals to text. It is a great working tool, and a helpful learning tool.It has many powerful features, but I will not deal with them. (https://sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi/ ) I am NOT an fldigi expert, and Ispeak only from my experience with fldigi on Windows computers, but maygive you some clues as to how to get it running for your learning purposes.Basically, you must download and install the program, and make sure yourcomputer’s sound system is properly configured in fldigi – only two simpleitems. From the program’s main menu: Configure > Sound CardMake sure “Port Audio” is checked. The default “Capture” and “Playback”options may work fine for you. Here is one way to check:Download one of the ARRL practice files fromhttp://www.arrl.org/code-practice-files . On the left of the screen, underCode Practice Files, click the speed you would like to download, forexample “10 WPM Code Archive”. You will see files that were transmitted oncertain dates in a table to the right. Just choose one by RIGHT clickingits MP3 link, and choose “Save Link As …”, tell the machine to save itwhere you want, and with the name you want, for example, TEST.Find the file you just saved, RIGHT click it, and choose “play”. You shouldhear the practice code.If it is not already running, start fldigi.With both the practice code, and fldigi running, you should see a bluewaterfall at the bottom of the fldigi screen, with the practice code signalrunning down. If you do not see the signal, go to fldigi Configure > SoundCard > Capture , and try selecting other choices from the list.When you have a waterfall showing the signal, go to fldigi OpMode, andselect CW.On the waterfall, use your cursor to grab the red bandwidth box, and slideit so that it is centered on the signal. As you tune around, you will see agreen line in the center of the box that you can put precisely on thecenter of the signal. You should now see the text being generated in theyellow section of the fldigi screen.After you get fldigi running, there are various ways you can use it to helplearn/practice Morse. Some of them might require you to change the Captureoption for Sound Card setup.Find CW signals in WebSDR, and let fldigi convert them. (Of course, you canalso use it to convert digital modes.)With my Capture set to Microphone, I can use a practice oscillator to feedfldigi. If fldigi can properly convert my sending to text, a human shouldunderstand it. If fldigi sees T I instead of D, I need to practice.I have also connected my key to my PicoKeyer (http://www.hamgadgets.com/ham-radio/ ), and plugged the keyer into themike jack on my computer.-- Darrell Fulmer - ADØEF______________________________________________________________HBQRP mailing listHome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbqrpHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:HBQRP at mailman.qth.netThis list hosted by: http://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html