I first learned the international code in order to get my license. Afterwards, I even taught other potential amateurs code in order to get my speed increased. I could always send it far faster than I could receive it. Receiving it did not come easily for me and my students invariably surpassed me. I could teach it, but I could not get past certain speed blocks. I eventually stopped using it in favour or using voice and data (known then as packet radio).
I kept enough interest to watch for new methods of learning. Recently there has been a revival in CW with a certain attitude of "Now that we don't have to learn it for our license, we can learn it for fun!". We humans are contrary beasts, arn't we? I've recently read some articles reviving an old method designed by Kosh, a German who designed training for radio operators during WW II.
Dave Finley, N1IRZ, wrote a book on the subject of learning CW and explains some of it at this web document. Ray, G4FON, created a new computer program for learning CW based on the Kosh method. It looks like it has promise for those like me who have trouble with higher speed code.
I have recently found another teaching program by Gary Bold, Z1LAN, that is excellent. It introduces you to the various letters in a well proven way then has about 900 texts you can practise on. It handles farnworth spacing, speed, and tone; all independently adjustable. It can send random groups, text, or you can paste any text into a window and have it send it.
For those of you with MP3 players, the ARRL has MP3 CW files at http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/morse.html that are useful in practicing morse. Another aid is a new release of freeware http://www.winmorse.com/ that converts text directly to audio files (wav, au, aiff & txt). Conversion is fast and the user can select the tone frequency (50 - 4000Hz), wpm rate (any) and either Standard Morse, ARRL Farnsworth, or Your Choice of spacing. You paste the text into the Window and press Convert. Prosigns and non English letters recognised and converted! There is extensive and informative Help Files.
There are lots of documents on the web like "The Art and Skill of Radio Telegraphy", and "Iambic Sending" by K5FO.
The subject of CW evokes strong emotions from all those involved. Check out the CW Topics Area for more information on the various aspects of this part of the amateur radio hobby. There are plenty more web references contained in these documents.
Tony Fegan, VE3QF, a fellow SARC member, contributed these web links: