Morse Code, although no longer in regular use by major agencies such as the military and the coast guard, is still very much a popular communications mode that attracts those in amateur radio who want to learn new skills and/or maintain one of the earliest traditions within this hobby. In fact a recent survey shows that 40% of today’s amateur radio operators use CW solely, another 20% switch between both Morse Code (a.k.a. CW, or Continuous Wave) and voice modes, and the remainder use voice or digital modes only. Anyone who thinks that Morse Code is dead need only tune through the amateur radio bands during a major CW contest – one would be lucky to find a clear frequency. From a more pragmatic point of view, one can achieve far greater distances with low power and small antennas using CW than they can with voice. For more information on the history and application of Morse Code, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code#Development. Morse Code is no longer a requirement for the basic amateur radio licence. Morse Code is something that one learns for the sheer thrill of being able to do something quite unique. There is some evidence to suggest that Morse Code operation within amateur radio has increased since the requirement to demonstrate CW proficiency was dropped as a pre-requisite for operation on the HF.
The Halifax Amateur Radio Club over the years has produced many superlative Morse Code operators and actively encourages the continuous use of this skill. For 2007, as in previous years, HARC will be conducting formal training for this fascinating language. As a departure from previous training approaches – and consistent with the approach being taken for the Basic Ham Course – CW training will be provided using a guided self-study approach. Interested students will be provided with an introductory briefing, some discussion of the application of CW in amateur radio communication, and instruction on using a computer-based training program. They will then be brought back at regular intervals for practice sessions, some additional teaching, resolution of questions, and an assessment of how students are doing. It is very, very important to note that learning CW, while not necessarily difficult, will require the dedication of an hour a day of self-learning and practice for the duration of the period. Do not sign up for the course if you cannot set regular time aside; you will fall behind after one week and be forced to drop out. One cannot “cram” for CW!
Training dates are TBA. Sessions will be 1.5 hours long. The format will consist of hand-sent Morse Code of numbers and characters and symbols so students can practice what they have learned from previous weeks. Students will then be expected to go home, practice the four CW elements learned in the classroom that week, practice the ones they learned from previous weeks, and then learn four new characters on their own, which will get reviewed at the next week’s session, and so on.
Testing at the completion of the course, if you wanted an independent check of your performance, will be conducted by a volunteer examiner, with arrangements made between the individual student and the examiner. However, testing is no longer officially required
To pass the test, one needs not only to be able to copy CW but also to be able to send CW at the same 5 WPM speed. That will require the student to buy or borrow a code practice oscillator and a straight key, or for the very serious, a keyer and a set of CW paddles. These details will be discussed at the opening session.
The self-learning component of Morse Code will be based on a freeware program called, curiously enough, “Morse”. For those who want to make a head start, go to http://c2.com/morse, read the write-up, then download and install morse.exe. The process is child’s play; even I did it. While there are literally dozens of Morse Code training programs available, this one is simple to implement and use, and the HARC CW training program will follow exactly the order of the letters, numbers, and symbols as laid out therein. Do us all a favour and do not elect to use some other CW training program (at least until HARC is finished with you!).
Go ahead and give the program a try and go as far as you want. On the menu bar, click MORSE and make sure the Numbers and Symbols boxes are checked. We will be learning them all, plus a couple more not on there. Adjust the tone to suit your taste (600 Hz is nice, for those of you with perfect pitch). Then take your curser and move the speed wheel about two or three notches to the RIGHT (yes, I know, it’s too fast and you don’t like it. Get used to it. In class, I’ll be sending the characters at about 18 words per minute). Learn four letters today.
- Support to students will be provided by the instructor via telephone, email, or one-on-one sessions if necessary. HARC wants you to succeed!
For more details, contact Gary Bartlett, VE1RGB at 860-0810 or ve1rgb@rac.ca