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Improving Your CW
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IMPROVING YOUR CW (Courtesy QST/ARRL) FOC is committed to fostering and encouraging a high standard of operating and to protecting the future of CW. Young or old, novice or old-timer, each of us can always improve our CW skills. Learning or improving means more fun; "head copying" while in a QSO, gaining a few more points in a contest, snagging a new DX entity or enjoying using a variety of Morse code keys. On this page you can find some resources, in which FOC members play a role, to help you do that. On-Line Help Morse Trainer by Ray, G4FON (SK) (FOC 1874) This free Windows software uses the Koch method, teaching CW two letters at a time sent at the speed that you want to achieve, e.g. 15 wpm. When those two are mastered others are added. As you improve your skill you can add QRM, QSB and QRN. You can also adjust the character speed and the spacing between the characters. Ray gave the presentation "Improving your Morse Code skills from 5NN TU to effortless casual rag-chewing" at the 2018 RSGB convention. Learn CW On-Line by Fabian, DJ5CW (FOC 1796) This free course, using the Koch method, lives in "the cloud." It includes teaching and practice at various speeds using text and code groups. There's even QTC practice for the WAE contest. Pileup Practice by Chuck, NO5W (FOC 1944) Chuck has been providing the software used for the Kansas City DX Club's pileup competition a the Dayton hamfest for about the past ten years. He's put several years worth of his competition archives on his website. They're great practice for digging calls out of the mob. Reading Material FOC Guide to Morse Code Proficiency by Gary, ZL2IFB (FOC 1912) Click above to read this free, comprehensive guide.
Morse Code Operating for Amateur Radio by Rob, K6RB (FOC 1821) and Jim, N3JT (FOC 1067). This paperback is available from the ARRL bookstore. Chapters include:
DITS and DAHS by Ed, KR3E (FOC 1878) This paperback is available from the CQ Magazine bookstore. Chapters include:
Zen and the Art of Radiotelegraphy by Carlo, IK0YGI (FOC 1937) Chapters include:
The CW Way of Life: Learning, Living and Loving Morse Code (in a Digital World) by Chris, NW6V (FOC 2148) This paperback and ebook is available on Amazon. Chapters include:
Morse Code For Radio Amateurs by Roger, G3LDI (FOC 2037) This paperback is available from the RSGB bookstore. All About Squeeze-Keying by Karl, DJ5IL (FOC 1980) Click above to read this extensive article about keys and suggestions about how to use the squeeze-keying technique. The Essex CW Club in England, with financial support from FOC, runs day-long classes aimed at helping hams improve their CW. Instructors are Dean, G4WQI (FOC 2107) and Andy, G0IBN (FOC 2048). Students are broken into three groups: 10 wpm and under, up to 24 wpm and 25 wpm and up. The aim is to progress to the top of each group and, eventually, move into the next. Information is also provided about using a paddle, how to set up a straight key and CW procedures. CW AcademyInstructors from the CWops club use internet video conferencing to guide students through three levels, starting with learning basic CW and running through 25+. They use the Koch system of sending characters at high speed mixed with slower speed spacing. Sign up early...there's a waiting list. |