I’m getting very excited about going to Dayton this week. As I mentioned, I’ll be giving a talk about getting started and having fun with Morse Code. My talk is scheduled for Friday morning at 9:15 am in Room 5. That’s not the best time, I know, but hey, I’ll take what I can get.
At any rate, here’s a draft of my presentation. If you see any errors or can think of anything I should include, please let me know.
UPDATED 5/17: Thanks for all the great recommendations!
Sverre Holm says
Hi. I like your presentation, but if there’s one thing I wish I had learnt when I learnt Morse code in 2001 it would be that a single paddle is just as good and sometimes better than an iambic paddle. It is for a good reason that all the high-speed champions use one – there is much less chance of making mistakes with it.
Dan KB6NU says
Good point. I’ll mention that.
Yohei, N8YQX says
Pg 2
“Gets through when no other modes will”
Although I agree with the spirit of this statement, I don’t think it’s accurate. For example, I don’t think CW gets through when JT9 or WSPR won’t.
Maybe “Gets through when SSB won’t” would be more realistic?
Dan KB6NU says
Yes. I was going to explain that. Of course, to use JT9 and WSPR you need a computer, which you don’t for CW. I take your point, though.
Andy Holman says
Dan, you put in there something about passing the “test” , slide 6 I believe. Unless, by test, you were talking about something else.
Jack WT8N says
I’m looking forward to your talk Dan. Another strong motivation for learning CW for some of us with poor hearing and word recognition is that it is so much easier to have a QSO than with voice modes.
Don N4KC says
Dan, I agree. It’s a good presentation. I just wonder what test you refer to passing on slide 6?
A few more reasons to learn CW:
– Being able to identify beacon stations and their locations, especially on 6 and 10.
– Same with repeaters, many of which ID in Morse. They also usually send error codes in CW.
– Many modern transceivers send operators messages in CW, such as SWR being too high.
But you are correct when you say the #1 reason is because it is FUN!
Good job and 73,
Don N4KC
http://www.n4kc.com
http://www.donkeith.com
Dan KB6NU says
Thanks, Don. That reference was a hold-over from an earlier version of this presentation when there WAS a test. :) I’ve fixed it.