I was tempted to title this entry, “Two Resources to Help You Pass the Code Test,” but then I realized this is absolutely the wrong attitude with which to approach learning Morse Code. That’s certainly the opinion put forth in The Art and Skill of Radio-Telegraphy: A Manual For Learning, Using, Mastering And Enjoying
The International Morse Code As A Means Of Communication. This free download advises,
- have a “can do” attitude,
- relax,
- enjoy the learning process, and
- picture yourself being successful.
The second resource that I’d like to point you towards is, W5JO’s Tips for Testing. W5JO is a volunteer examiner who has administered hundreds of code tests. His advice includes:
- Don’t wait for the FCC to remove the requirement.
- Know the numbers.
- Learn the names of the more popular radio manufacturers and antenna types.
He notes, however, “All of this is NO substitute for CW skill.” In fact, many more pass the test by copying 25 characters in a row than getting seven out of the 10 questions correct. That’s been my experience, too.
Phil N5OZL says
Hi, I found your blog through google.
I’m working on building up code speed, but most of the software (including NuMorse, which I’m using now), seem to focus on letters.
Do you happen to know of any that focus on whole (random) words? It seems it would be easier to start hearing didididit didah dahdah as “ham.”
Thanks for the good info on your site.
73 de N5OZL
Phil
Dan KB6NU says
Try the G4FON Code Trainer. You can get it to send any text file in CW. You could make up your own text, or use the following, which appeared in Chapter 8 of _The Art and Skill of Radio-Telegraphy_.
go he and how been into great about first their before should am if man any some very other shall could which little people me an him its then what every these would there on us out may like than by or not are well more to in but now made will of do was had work must up is can two when they as be one the over said so at who for have come she our such them it my has men only that all his time this no we say her your from were upon
These are, according to the book, 98 of the 100 most commonly used words in English. You could add a bunch of words and abbreviations commonly used when operating CW to this mix, such as:
QRM QRN QTH QSL QSY HAM ABT AGN ANT BTR CNDX FER GA GB GE GG GM GN GND GUD HR HV HW NR NW OM OP PSE PWR RIG RPT RCVR RX SRI TNX TT TU TX UR URS VY WRK WL WX XMTR 73
Joe KD8CEH says
Oddly, I’m one of the ones who passed the test by getting 8 questions correct. I almost had a string of 25 characters in a row, but I left one character out (something trivial that didn’t affect meaning, like punctuation) right in the middle. That was pretty funny, because I was convinced that I’d pass it on the 25 characters thing and then blow the questions.
Andy Bullington says
I would add…. know the common Q signs and common nicknames as well. (Bob, Tom, George etc)
But really, if you have an HF radio, tune it to the Novice CW bands or, if you find nothing there, the FISTS frequencies (a little up from the lower end of the CW portion) and try to pick out as much as you can (assuming you’ve used software or some other method to learn the basics). There are a lot of guys just starting out and using very low speeds at these frequencies and you can learn a lot.
A friend of mine just kept his radio tuned to these frequencies while he worked in his woodshop and had a very easy time with the test. That was just last year.
Andy W1AWB
Dan KB6NU says
I agree, Andy. The best practice is to tune around and find a QSO that’s slow enough for you to at least copy some of the characters and listen to it. Part of the problem is that many Techs don’t have a radio that receives the HF bands.
The solution to that, of course, is to get one!! That’s kind of a flip remark, but if you’re really serious about learning the code, you’ll do it.