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new way to learn cw

Sep 9th 2015, 14:38

K6TRY

Joined: Feb 5th 2013, 12:24
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
Learning Morse Code (CW) is more fun with friends. In San Diego,Ca. a group is learning CW with a friendly interactive environment. One hour every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday KB6PJU, Mark, operates a net on the local Amateur Radio Club of El Cajon Repeater and practices with other Hams learning CW. Some participate by phonetically reading back the sent code and many others listen in. On any given day Hams can be heard discussing the code practice with happy voices via other local repeaters.


This has taken time to develop. Mark was unable to learn morse code due to his Multiple Sclerosis. WA6FFT-Phil, spent a lot of time helping him learn CW while he was recovering from a broken hip. This worked so well on 10 meters that Mark developed a new kind of teaching on the local repeater.
He built a microphone and speaker stand for his 2 meter rig to transmit tones and set up the program “Just Learn Morse Code” on his lap top computer. The program is versatile and capable of the Farnsworth Method with speed and spacing adjustments on the fly . Thursday meetings are geared to new and returning Hams. The code is slowed to accommodate new learning or just refreshing abilities.


During practice the members hear five letter, number, and punctuation groups. They then hear common QSO phrases to become familiar with CW QSO's. A member suggested that each session have a grouping of the members call signs. After each transmission several of the group are called on to phonetically read back what they copied. General fun and laughter encourages the shy members. During these read backs members find out what their personal “Kryptonite” letters are so they can focus on their own weaker characters. During the practice members are also taught clear handwriting, net protocol, and common short-cuts that experienced Hams use to make CW more compact.


This teaching method is geared to be interactive for each person in the group. Practice like this helps any Ham in refining or learning CW . This is learning Morse Code in a fun, friendly participating environment. So far this method has great results according to the members.

http://www.wa6bgs.us/ A.R.C.E.C 2m/440 repeater
http://www.justlearnmorsecode.com/
Jan 1st 2016, 17:51

WA4TUX

Joined: Aug 4th 2004, 10:06
Total Topics: 0
Total Posts: 0
Back in the late 70's/early 80's I attempted to learn Morse Code, 5 WPM, using the "old-school" method with cassette tapes. Still serving in the U.S. Navy, I simply did not get it done - yet learning to do CW has continued to be a dream. Having passed Amateur Extra on the first Saturday of Dec. 2015, I joined in on the ARCEC CW practice sessions every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday since - and am somewhat astounded at the progress I am making. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! I use the (free) JLMC program in between sessions and can vouch, for some of us the Farnsworth method works! (Not to mention the friendly, fun, yet effective atmosphere Mark KB6PJU creates for each "live" session).
73,
dave

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