Ten Steps to Mastering Morse Code

BoingBoing, a blog about popular culture that I love reading, recently published a post titled, “The only technique to learn something new” by James Altucher. Altucher is one of those guys that seems to be able to do just about anything. His Wikipedia page says that he is “an American hedge fund manager, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and podcaster.” The blog post details his ten-step technique for learning—actually mastering—new things. Here’s how I’d apply his advice to mastering Morse Code:

1. LOVE IT.

If you don’t love Morse Code, then don’t try to learn it. It will only frustrate you and take you away from learning other things that will be more interesting and useful to you.

2. READ IT.

You can read about the various methods to learn the code, but honestly, I think Morse Code is more of a “learn by doing” than a “learn by reading” kind of thing. You’re better off just proceeding to #3.

3. TRY IT. BUT NOT TOO HARD.

Get hold of a couple of code courses—I normally recommend the G4FON CW Trainer or the K7QO Code Course. There are also many good smartphone apps. Try them all—but not too hard—and choose the one that you like using the best. If after trying it, you don’t love it, don’t do it. (See #1.)

4. GET A TEACHER.

Find a code buddy, that is someone to help you learn the code. Many clubs have started code classes, but if your club doesn’t you can still find someone to help you. FISTS has a code buddy program and CWOps has what they call the CW Academy.

5. STUDY THE HISTORY. STUDY THE PRESENT.

Morse Code has a storied history. Studying the history will give you a perspective that will motivate you to learn it. If it does not motivate you, quit. (See #1.)

Studying the present will give you a perspective on how the art is practiced today. Rather than being stuck in the past, you’ll be able to use Morse Code as it’s being used today. That sounds kind of strange, but it’s true. You’ll have more fun if you use modern practices.

To reinforce what you learned, Altucher says, “Write down the things you learn from reading.”

6. DO EASY PROJECTS FIRST.

I’m not sure that there are “easy” Morse Code projects, but let’s look at this another way. Most people learn Morse Code to either participate in contests, work DX, or ragchew with other hams. As far as contests go, you can participate in slow-speed contests. FISTS, for example, runs slow-speed sprint contests every quarter. For ragchewing, FISTS has an activity called “Get Your Feet Wet” activity days. You can find more information about these activities on the FISTS Operating Activities page.

7. STUDY WHAT YOU DID.

Altucher says in his BoingBoing post, “Someone told me a story about Amy Schumer, one of my favorite comedians. She videotapes all her performances. Then she goes back to her room and studies the performance second by second…She wants to be the best at comedy. She studies her every performance.”

Altucher goes on to say, “If you aren’t obsessed with your mistakes then you don’t love the field enough to get better. Don’t ask lousy questions, such as, “Why am I no good?” Instead ask, “What did I do wrong and how can I improve?”

When you’re starting out—or even if you’re an old timer like me—it might be worthwhile to record your contacts and then play them back, listening critically to both sides of the contact. When the other station is sending, listen for what you might have missed the first time. When you’re sending, listen critically to the code you send.

To be honest, I hadn’t really thought about recording my contacts before reading this blog post. I figured that I am already pretty good, and if I just kept practicing—by making contacts or working contests—I’d get better. Maybe if I start recording my contacts, though, and critically appraising them, I’ll get better faster.

The question is how obsessed should one be? This is just a hobby, after all. That’s a personal decision that I’ll leave up to you. I think I’m obsessed enough about this that it’s something that I’m going to try.

8. YOU ARE THE AVERAGE OF THE FIVE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

Altucher says, “Humans are tribal mammals. We need to work with groups to improve.” At the most basic level, this means getting on the air. Code courses and code programs are all well and good, but the proof of the pudding is getting on the air and making contacts or working contests.

Not only that, it matters who you hang out with once you do get on the air. If you aspire to operate at 30 words per minute, don’t just search for slow-speed contacts. Listen for operators that are sending good code at speeds slightly faster than what you’re comfortable at copying and make an effort to copy them and work them. Hanging out with good operators will help you get better. Hanging out with poor operators will not.

Altucher notes, “Find the best group, spend as much time with them, and as a “scene” you become THE scene. You each challenge each other, compete with each other, love each other’s work, become envious of each other, and ultimately take turns surpassing each other.”

9. DO IT A LOT.

Over the past twelve years, I have averaged more than three contacts per day, and it’s gotten to the point where I feel bad if I don’t get my three CW QSOs in every day. You don’t have to be as obsessed about this as I am—it is a hobby, after all—but if you can spend more time at the key, you’ll become a better CW operator. It’s as simple as that.

10. FIND YOUR EVIL PLAN.

I’m not sure that I like the way Altucher titles this section, but his point is that, after all this study and practice and appraisal, you need to find your own path. By doing these things, you’ll discover what works best for you, and in doing so, develop your own unique perspective on what it means to be a good CW operator.

Not only that, at that point, you’ll be ready to pass this knowledge and experience on to others. Altucher says, “Now it’s your turn to teach, to mentor, to create, to innovate, to change the world.” I think this applies to just about any topic, even something that’s been around as long as Morse Code.