Why Learn Morse Code?

CW is a more efficient mode than voice in terms of distance per unit of power transmitted, so it enables you to work DX more easily with 100 watts or QRP.   QRP portable operations are more successful with CW – you almost feel like you are running a 100W rig rig at home. CW lets you talk to non-English speakers, or those with heavy accents, more easily.   Many of the most exciting contests are CW.   And CW connects you to the history of telegraphy, used over radio in the first half of the twentieth century, and by the original telegraphers sending telegrams over wires.

Goals of the Course

Individual paticipants’ goals may vary, but everyone will learn Morse at a level where they can pass the 5 wpm Canadian Morse Code Qualification Examination as described in Section 5.2 of Radiocommunication Information Circular 3 (RIC-3).  Everyone will become comfortable with the normal content and structure of a CW QSO on the air.  Participants may attain higher code speeds and may want to go to different levels of depth on some of the following:

• How do I increase my speed using on-air or online tools?

• How do I send CW with a straight key, or paddles, or a bug, or a sideswiper, or even a keyboard? (I’ll bring these in to class for people to try.)

• Should I bypass the straight key and start with an iambic paddle?

• How do I connect my logging program on my computer to my transceiver to send Morse?

• Other questions arising from things they’ve heard or read.

Ideally participants are willing to dedicate 15 to 30 minutes per day to self-study. Through the careful choice of tools and a self-study program, we will work together to overcome common problems such as memorization of dots and dashes, counting dits and dahs, and lack of confidence when sending. 

A major goal is to get the participants on the air with CW.  One outcome participants should consider is enrolling in a CWOps CW Academy course in January, at the Basic or Intermediate level, to set a goal to be ready, and to further increase their speed and instant recognition of CW.  https://cwops.org/cw-academy/cw-academy-options/

Click here to go to the CW MP3s and Links page.