[HCRA] Morse Code

[Rick Lindquist, N1RL]

Hi, Matthew

Take a deep breath, Matthew. Five WPM is not very fast, and most people
can attain that level of proficiency fairly easily. Don't let the
thought of Morse code scare you off before you give learning it a try.

To answer your last question first, no--you don't have to take the
General class written examination (Element 3) and the 5 WPM Morse code
examination (Element 1) at the same time. However, once you get credit
for the written examination--in the form of a Certificate of Successful
Completion of Examination (CSCE)--you have a year to pass Element 1
without having to retake the written examination. (I believe it still
works the other way around, too, but some changes are possibly in the
works regarding Element 1 credit.)

There are several methods to learn Morse code. ARRL (which, in the
interest of full disclosure, happens to be my employer) offers a program
on a CD to learn the code, but I can't say that one is right for one,
but it will provide you with the basics. 

Learning to send the characters (no longer an examination requirement)
as well as to recognize them by sound (ie, "dih-dah" for "A," not
"dot-dash") is a good way, in my opinion to reinforce your Morse
character recall (so you'll avoid consciously "translating" the
character before recognizing it). You'll need a hand key (to start off
with) and some kind of code practice oscillator. Then, if you're
interested in going further, you can work your way up to a keyer and
paddle--or even a "bug" (semi-automatic) key.

Some instructors favor the Farnsworth Method, where the code characters
are sent at 15 (W1AW standard--used to be 18) WPM, and the spacing
between characters adjusted accordingly to determine the overall speed.
Others prefer to start out with the character speed and code speed at
the same level--slow characters, slow code, normal spacing. 

Learning via Farnsworth is helpful if you intend to pursue code beyond
simply passing the examination, because it makes you recognize the
characters as they'll sound at higher speeds. Typical CW contacts take
place at 25 WPM or better, although you will find folks going slower,
especially in the Novice-Tech HF segments. 

Once you get all the required Morse characters under your belt (or, more
accurately, in your head), you can start trying to copy the W1AW code
practice sessions and slower stations over the air. 

It's also beneficial if you can work with someone who already knows the
code well, though, and even better if you have a friend who's learning
the code with  you. 

All that said, it was a real struggle for me to get proficient at Morse
code, in part because I didn't have a good teacher, and good code
practice aids weren't readily available. Morse has been my primary
operating mode for the 46 years I've been a radio amateur, however.

I hope this is helpful. If I can offer furhter assistance, please let me
know. 

73, Rick, N1RL 

-----Original Message-----
From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Matthew Allen
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 10:22 AM
To: Daniel J. Sullivan; Kevin F. Berrien; HCRA Maillist
Subject: [HCRA] Morse Code

______________________________________________
-------Hampden County Radio Association-------
-----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
______________________________________________
Hello all.  I currently hold a technician class
license and I'm interested in learning morse code, but
am a little intimidated by the idea of learning it. 
Any suggestions on a good way to go about it would be
greatly appreciated!  Thanks!  Oh yeah- do I have to
take the general class exam AND the morse test at the
same time, or could I take the morse test and then
take the question pool at a later date?  Thanks!
 
Matthew Allen, KB1LFF



		
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