Morse Code

New!! VK Morse Code Practice Net

Slow Morse Net
Every week night on 7.030 (plus or minus QRM) at 7:30 P.M Sydney local time, don't forget Daylight Saving or 08:30 Z.
Check in, exchange an RST or hang around for a chat. The Slow Net is called at around 5 to 8 WPM, but the speed will be adjusted to that of the slowest operator.

If you listen but don't call in, we would love to receive your report via the contact page.

Jump to:
Letters, Numbers and Punctuation
Learning Morse Code - Resources
Learning Morse Code - What Works

International Morse code today is most popular among Amateur Radio Operators, where it is used as the pattern to key a transmitter on and off in the radio communications mode commonly referred to as "continuous wave" or "CW". Other keying methods are available in radio telegraphy, such as frequency shift keying.

The original amateur radio operators used Morse code exclusively, since voice-capable radio transmitters did not become commonly available until around 1920. Until 2003 the International Telecommunication Union mandated Morse code proficiency as part of the Amateur Radio Licensing procedure worldwide. However, the World Radiocommunication Conference of 2003 made the Morse code requirement for amateur radio licensing optional. Many countries, including Australia subsequently removed Morse Code from their licence requirements.

While voice and data transmissions are limited to specific amateur radio bands, Morse Code is permitted on all amateur bands—LF, MF, HF, UHF, and VHF, with one notable exception being the 60 meter band in North America. In some countries, certain portions of the amateur radio bands are reserved for transmission of Morse code signals only.

The relatively limited speed at which Morse code can be sent led to the development of an extensive number of abbreviations to speed communication. These include Prosigns and Q codes, plus a restricted standardized format for typical messages. For example, CQ is broadcast to be interpreted as "seek you" (I'd like to converse with anyone who can hear my signal). OM (old man), YL (young lady) and XYL ("ex YL" - wife) are common abbreviations. YL or OM is used by an operator when referring to the other operator, XYL or OM is used by an operator when referring to his or her spouse. This use of abbreviations for common terms permits conversation even when the operators speak different languages.

Although the traditional telegraph key (straight key) is still used by some amateurs, the use of mechanical semi-automatic keyers (known as "bugs") and of fully automatic electronic keyers is prevalent today. Software is also frequently employed to produce and decode Morse code radio signals.

Letters, Numbers and Punctuation

Learning Morse Code - Resources

There are some really fantastic sites where learning Morse Code is their number one priority. Here are a few of the very best.

Learn CW OnLine
At LCWO you can learn Morse telegraphy (CW) online in your browser. You don't need to install a program on your computer, and you always have your personal settings available, from any computer on the globe with an internet connection. You can also easily track your progress by means of different statistical functions. In my opinion this has to be the very best CW learning facility available.

Morse Resource
Resources related to Morse Code and Amateur Radio. These are Podcasts of Morse Code ranging from 5wpm to 30wpm, they are also available at iTunes.

ARRL W1AW Code Practice
Listed here are W1AW code practice transmissions for the dates and speeds indicated. The files are in MP3 format, playable using Windows Media Player, RealPlayer or your favorite MP3 player.

The first link is used for streaming audio, while the second link is the actual text of the code practice file.

Back to Top

Learning Morse - What Works

There are just about as many ways of learning Morse Code as there are people who attempt to learn. What works for one person many not necessarily work for the next.

Would you like to assist others?

We would be very pleased to hear from people who wish to share their experiences in learning Morse Code, and will be happy to publish their accounts here.

Below is some ideas which have been shared.

______________________________________________________

Singing your way to success

This is an email received from Jens.

Jens Grigull
VK4AJG

Hi

I have found a morse code chart on your page.

This is not a good way to learn morse code, because you have a plateau at about 10 WPM.
I know what I am talking about, because I learned the code with one of this charts.

Morse code is done with your ears and not with your eyes.

In my experience it's better to use Dah and Dit. a is dit dah and so on.
For a beginner it's good to 'sing' the code aloud.

vy 73 Jens VK4AJG

Jens also wrote.

Please find enclosed a copy from an old ham book. This is a better description than mine.
This old article (a pdf file), a friend gave it to me, has the basics about a good way to learn morse code.

vy 73 Jens VK4AJG

Jens VK4AJG also provided two very good links to excelent CW publications, they are:

The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy by William G. Pierpont, N0HFF (now silent key)
Zen and the Art of Radiotelegraphy by Carlo Consoli, IK0YGJ

______________________________________________________

Below is comment by James Wades WB8SIW,International President, Morse Telegraph Club, Inc. which was posted on the SKCC (Straight Key Century Club) Digest.

Re: Head copying is working

Hi Rick, et. al:

The ability to "copy in one's head" is an essential step along the path to becoming a proficient CW operator. Ideally, every CW operator should strive to develop the ability to do so.

In reality, a competent CW operator should be able to treat CW in much the same manner he does voice communications. That is, he listens to the communications and selectively records information only as needed, just as he might during a voice QSO.

Once one can copy in his head, he is on his way to treating CW as a natural language. Over time, he begins to hear entire words and the process of "decoding" and "encoding" CW becomes automatic and intuitive, just as it does when one is fluent in a spoken or written language. At that point, his speed will also increase easily and without effort.

Ultimately, one's ability to copy CW is measured by the ability to put a message down on paper. However, most of the time this is not required unless one is copying message traffic or something of that nature. The ability to treat CW as a language opens up a whole new world of enjoyment as one can then sit back in his chair or drive down the freeway and converse just as he would on voice.

My suggestion to those seeking true proficiency is to put away the paper and pencil and the temptation to fall back on the "paper crutch" and copy some QSOs in your head until you are comfortable to "go live."

73,

JW

Please Note: All comments on this page are published with the expressed permission of the author.