Yesterday, a reader e-mailed me:
I read your blog pretty regularly, and when I was studying for my General and Extra class this summer, it was quite helpful. I’m off to my next project and I see we share a common interest in Morse Code. I was first licensed as a no-code Technician in 1993 and mostly sat out for about 20 years. I guess you always come back to the good stuff.
Now, I am interested in starting up a class or some type of training involving Morse Code. I know virtually nothing about this form of operation but I feel like I can stir up other folks around here who can make this happen if I point them in the right direction.
Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated.
He went on to outline a few things he was going to do to get this going and then asked what advice I might be able to give him. Here’s my reply:
I am perhaps not the best person to ask about Morse Code training classes, having actually one taught one such class many years ago, but here are a few of my observations about learning Morse Code:
- Learning CW is a very personal thing. I’m not sure that aside from sending the characters and engaging in CW conversations with a student that a CW teacher really adds all that much. Many clubs do conduct Morse Code classes, though, and the students seem to get a lot out of them. I think the reason for that is that when a group gathers it provides motivation to the students. See #2.
- It’s all about motivation. The students have to be really motivated to learn code. There are a few people who really can’t learn code, but those are few and far between. So, when someone says that they can’t learn it, they really mean they’re not motivated enough to learn it.
- If someone is truly motivated, then it’s just as easy for them to use CW learning programs, such as the G4FON CW Trainer, Learn CW Online, or the K7QO Code Course. The classes do help those who are only marginally motivated to stay motivated.
- As noted on the page, “Tips for Learning Morse Code (CW)“:”Repetition is the key to remembering anything, including Morse characters. Some folks master it in days, others in months. All who keept at it, get it.”Practice, practice, practice. No matter if you learn quickly, or slowly, the key to learning is practice. With enough practice, just about anyone can learn Morse code. Sometimes, skipping a day or two of practice is helpful, and can get you back on track.”
- The problem with learning CW is that there is a pretty steep learning curve. If the student doesn’t have a knack for Morse Code, he or she just has to keep plugging away at it. Practice, practice, practice. Hopefully, having Elmers and code buddies will help provide the motivation to keep at it.
- Think about having the class build a PicoKeyer. PicoKeyers are inexpensive and easy to build, and as a bonus, have what’s called a modulated CW (MCW) mode. In this mode, the key output acts like a push-to-talk line. So, you can connect that to the PTT line of a 2m radio and then run the audio signal from the sidetone generator into the mic input, and you can send CW over a 2m repeater. See PicoKeyer Now With MCW Mode……Finally for how I did this. If the students and Elmers all were able to get on VHF and send code to one another, either via a repeater or simplex, this might make it easier and provide some motivation to practice.
- I always encourage people to get on the air as soon as they memorize the characters and the numbers. By the time they do this, they’re already at 5 wpm or more, and that’s plenty fast to get on the air. Once they are on the air and start making contacts, they’ll get faster quickly. There’s a spot on the 40m band–7110 to 7125 kHz–where slow speed operators hang out. No matter how slow they are, they can find contacts there.
- Did I mention how important it is to practice? Operation CW is like any skill. The only way to really learn it is to do it.
Now, I’m interested in what you have to say. Do you have any advice for this fellow who’s starting a code class?
Bob K0NR says
Dan,
When I saw the title of this post, my reaction was “don’t do it.” You outlined the reasons quite well…the computer-based tools are much more effective than holding a class. I suppose there may be some use to a class that helps people get started with the tools and provides practical guidance.
Practice, practice, practice!
73, Bob K0NR
Dan KB6NU says
I always thought that it was just as easy, if not easier to learn the code by getting one of these programs than it was to take a class. Then, one of the fellows that had taken my Tech class came up to me at a hamfest and proudly announced that he was taking a code course. He said that he was really enjoying it, and that it gave him the push he needed to learn the code.
I guess everyone learns differently. I’m more of a self-taught kind of guy. I figure out what I need to know, then go about learning it. Others prefer to learn in a class setting and have someone teach them whatever it is they want to learn.
Brian says
…And if you DO do it, be sure NOT to teach dots and dashes or “dit-dah” stuff. Stick to actual SOUNDS and use Farnsworth timing to teach the CHARACTERS at a higher speed, such as 15-wpm, using the Koch method for teaching the characters.
Tom, K2BEW says
I am using Nu-Morse Pro along with the MFJ 418 code tutor, for when I am away from the computer, and It is working well, but I have to say if there was class offered my my local club I would go. I think learning in a group can be helpful and it adds some fun too. MFJ also sells a larger code tutor the MFJ-414 that is designed to use in a class room setting, a bit pricy but for a club purchace it might be worth checking out;
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-414
73,
Tom K2BEW
k8gu says
Like you say, Dan, the value in classes for anything is accountability. The only other thing I would say (re-iterate) is to encourage the students to practice relentlessly. In some ways, it might be more effective to have students pair-off and teach each other than to have one “expert” at the front of the room. The class is for convening like-minded students more than specifically transferring the skill. I’ve never tried this, but it seems reasonable having watched my 3-year-old acquire language, and his 5-month-old sister is starting that process too.