The International Morse Code(CW)

Introduction.

At the time I applied for my 5Z4FT license about late 1980's, while still in high school, proficiency in The International Morse code was a requirement. I learnt CW only to satisfy licensing requirements at the time, and forgot about it as soon as I made my first SSB QSOs. As a necessity, I have had to polish-up my International Morse Code skills, and having enjoyed myself in the process, thought-up this page to help those operators who may wish to improve their CW skills, or for those who want to learn a new skill.

The International Morse code is a mode developed by Samuel Morse among others, to transmit information using on, and off keying of a signal or light source, a combination of these on, and off elements being used to build single characters into words. It was the first digital communication mode, and still remians as such. For illustrative purposes ,the dot element may be considered a single bit element, or logic one, the dash a series of single bit elements, or logic ones, following each other consecutively, while the space/time element, the absence of a tone bit or logic zero(Using Positive Logic). It remains the easiest mode to use over long distances, with simple equipment on low power, under difficult conditions. When compared to other digital modes has the lowest baud rate, which gives the apparent sense of obsolescence in todays high speed data world. For many people who may be disabled, or lack cross language skills, the simple Morse Code English language abbreviated shorthand allows operators to communicate effectively. Apart from the obvious Mathematical sense, the Morse Code has a Musical sense to it, and is fun to use.


Click Play to listen to a sample CQ call(CQ CQ CQ CQ DE 5Z4FT 5Z4FT PSE K), or Download

During the early days of Morse Code, the code was either read-off an electromagnetic sounder, or paper tape, but today the characters can be read, and sent to some extent by a computer. The most common way though would be to copy the code by ear, and send using a Manual Key, Electronic Keyer, or Morse Keyboard, and Reader.

The tables below illustrate the most common elements of the International Morse code(dot=dit, dash=dah).

Punctuation.

Pro signs(Sent together).

Abbreviations, and "Q" codes are commonly used in CW.

Some commonly used International "Q" codes.

The only sure way of learning the Morse code is to practice, and practice with the various teaching aids that are available. It should be appreciated that Pro signs, Punctuation, and numbers are approximately twice in weight to alphabetic characters, this implies that 5WPM in the former would be 10WPM in the latter. The code speed is generally determined by counting the number of 5 group characters sent in one minute, hence 25 alphabetic characters sent in one minute would be 5WPM.
The most common researched, and used systems to mastering the Morse code are the Chandler, Fransworth, and Koch systems. In the Chandler system the learner memorizes a mental table of dots, and dashes, which are translated into the corresponding audio of dit, and dah. This method allows some people to learn the code, but slows down the comprehension process considerably. The idea in Morse learning, and speed buildup is to to learn to copy the code with natural reflex. The two other methods which start-off the learner with immediate audio recognition of the dot, and dash as dit, and dah are the most effective, and produce results rapidly. The Koch system requires Morse to be sent at a speed such as 20WPM, and with an overal speed of 15WPM, and a learning rate of 2 new characters at a time. A sending session is limited to 5 minutes, and a learning period 20-30 minutes per day. Once 90% copy of the previous characters has been achieved, then two more new characters are added, and so on. Once the character set has been learnt then random length groups can be practiced under various conditions. The other common method is the Farnsworth method which starts by allowing the learner to recognize a few easy characters, at for instance 5WPM with Farnsworth 15WPM, giving a long inter-character spacing, allowing time to recognize each character. After each new character has been learnt, a session is initiated with 5 character grouped words for say a period of 5 minutes with all the known characters in it. Once the character set has been learnt the inter-character spacing is reduced gradually bringing the student to the appropriate word speed, in the above case from 5WPM to 15WPM. The availability of computer software has made learning, and using the Morse Code easier.

Links.

The Art, and Skill of Radio Telegraphy
Beginners guide to making CW contacts
Iambic AB
CW Software
FISTS
Morse Academy Trainer(MS-DOS program)
The Koch Trainer
The MRX Morse Trainer
The Nu Morse Trainer
Commercial Morse Training Software, and Tapes