So I decided to try CW Why? How? Morse Machine RufzXP Just Learn Morse Code Morse Runner G4FON Koch Trainer CWCom MorseCat Begali CW Machine

Why 5 Dx stations on CW for every SSB on 17m Less Bandwidth Less power Wanted to prove that I can. Says something about perseverance and dedication CW & Antennas are likely the most discussed topics.

How long will it take?

How - Tools Software. Rx only initially Every program had a specific strong point for me. All S/W in this discussion is free. Sending is Easy – or so they say. CWCom for sending feedback

How - Technique Learn single chars first. Recognize sound of char. Verify correctness initially Continuous copy. Short chars easy to learn but difficult during continuous copy. Copy on paper Copy in head I always copy call on paper. (even for voice) Avoid “auto complete”

Morse Machine Pro’s Good to get started Char training only. Cons No audible error indication Chars not totally selectable. No space distinction.

RufzXP Rufzeichen-Hören 50 calls with top score. Calls only – no words. Pro’s Speeds up Cons Not learning the space between words. Tend to predict the numeric.

Just Learn Morse Code Can define what chars Used extensively to practice 5/h Hear and see to learn Hear and type to test Good for learning letters Shows correct percentage - feedback

G4FON Koch Trainer Good for words / QSO etc. Simulates various real world conditions: Signal strength Noise Level QSB Chirp … more

Morse runner Simulates Contest Simulates band conditions. Simultaneous calls QRM Call and seq no.

Morse Cat 2.0 Does char training Lessons Expert mode allows fine tuning Simulated calls Copy on paper and check Sending check training no longer available.

MFJ-418 Pocket Code Tutor Portable Typical MFJ quality. Quality deteriorated on later models. Letters, Words, QSO’s etc. Interactive or continuous. Farnsworth timing. Words & QSO somewhat outdated

Sending Always start with straight key 20 WPM seems to be average high end for straight key. Move on to paddle or bug. Most folks seems to use dual paddles. Verify “fist” with CWCom or Begali

Begali CW machine Top of the line Keyer $300 + Software Tutor Logger Interfaces with PC Interfaces with Keyboard. Interfaces with straight Key or Paddle.

CWCOM Like AIM with CW Supports straight key and paddle through serial port Special characters can be defined

Timing (copied from ZART) Dot is the base unit of measure A dit is the sound of one dot followed by the silence of one dot. A daah, the sound of a dash, is 3 dots long followed by the silence of one dot. The space between letters is 3 dots. The space between words is 7 dots.

Measuring speed (copied from ZART) Based on the word: PARIS P: 11 dots + 3 letter spacing. A: 5 dots + 3 letter spacing. R: 7 dots + 3 letter spacing. I: 3 dots + 3 letter spacing S: 5 dots. Total: 50 dots (including the word space at the end).

The First QSO Listen on the air to get a feel for the structure of the typical QSO. Listen to hear that other folks make mistakes. Listen to hear that there are many slow QSO’s Become familiar with the abbreviations e.g. fer, fb Become familiar with the prosigns KN, AR, SK etc. Prepare a template QSO that you can copy from. Practice the template with CWCom. Get an Elmer for the first one. .

Terminology THX FB QSO WX ES SUNNY ES WINDY ES ABT 60F RST 579 57N SIGS 599 5NN CUAGN HW NW? or HW? HW CPY NW? INVERTED VEE BTU

Typical QSO TNX FER CALL OM = UR RST 599 5NN = NAME IS SEBASTIAN SEBASTIAN = QTH IS LONGMONT, CO LONGMONT, CO = BTU <call> DE NS0W OK GREAT <name> = RIG IS ICOM RNG 50W TO VERTICAL ANTENNA = SO HW CPY <name>? OK <name> = THX FOR FB QSO AND WAS VY NICE TO MEET U = ALL THE BEST FRM CO ES 73 73 =

Straight Key – GHD GT501MIL

Straight Key – Junker DBGM

Web resources http://zs6ez.org.za/tutorial/cw-qso.htm General CW hints http://www.netwalk.com/~fsv/CWguide.htm http://zs6ez.org.za/tutorial/cw-qso.htm http://www.fists.org/basiccw.html Online Books (ZART: Zen & the Art of Radiotelgraphy): http://www.qsl.net/ik0ygj/enu/index.html Online Books (The Art & Skill of Radiotelgraphy): http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm Learning CW (Begali CW Machine) http://www.i2rtf.com/docs/LearningCW.pdf

Software resources http://www.morsecat.de/index.html Morse Machine: http://www.g4ilo.com/morse-machine.html RufzXP http://www.rufzxp.net Just Learn Morse Code http://www.justlearnmorsecode.com Morse Runner http://www.dxatlas.com/MorseRunner G4FON Koch Trainer http://www.g4fon.net Morse Cat http://www.morsecat.de/index.html CWCom http://www.mrx.com.au/d_cwcom.htm