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CW Academy

BEGINNER Level CW Curriculum

Practice Instructions and Homework Assignments

(Fourth Edition)

(Release: 4.6 Oct 2, 2024)

By: Ken Rainey, AC5EZ

 

Click HERE for a PDF of this Document

This document was inspired by “Practice Instructions and Homework Assignments for the Beginner CW Academy Course” (Third Edition) by : Rob Brownstein, K6RB, 2016-2022.

Table of Contents

Welcome to CW Academy’s Beginner Morse code (CW) course. 4

Multiple paths to take on your Morse code journey. 4

Suggested readings for incoming students. 5

A few Words on Learning Morse code. 5

For Our Blind Students. 5

Introduction to Morse Code Online Trainer (MCT). 6

Preparing for Copy Practice. 6

Preparing for Sending practice. 7

Sending or Keying Morse code. 7

How the Sessions are Arranged. 8

Daily Sending Drill 8

Practice Sessions and Workbook Assignments General Information. 9

Session 01: 11

Session 02: 12

Session 03: 14

Session 04: 16

Session 05: 18

Session 06: 20

Session 07: 22

Session 08: 24

Session 09: 26

Session 10: 28

Introduction to Instant Character Recognition (ICR) – Practice. 30

Session 11: 32

Session 12: 34

Session 13: 35

Session 14: 36

Session 15: 36

Session 16: 36

Appendix A: Some Common CW Abbreviations. 37

Appendix B: Commonly used Ham Radio words. 39

Appendix C: Abbreviated list of Some Common International Q Signals. 40

Appendix D: Top 100 plus English words. 41

Appendix E: US States, Territories, and Canadian Provinces. 42

Appendix F: NATO International Phonetic Alphabet. 43

Appendix G: Morse Code Trainer (MCT) Features & Functions. 44

Appendix H: Manual Settings for Copy Practice. 46

Appendix I: Manual Settings for Sending Practice. 47

Appendix J: CW Daily Practice Log. 48

Appendix K: Farnsworth Timing. 50

Document Revision History and Copyright Notice. 51


 

Welcome to CW Academy’s Beginner Morse code (CW) course

Before starting the Beginner CW (Morse code) course assignments, you should understand how CW Academy expects you to practice during the eight-week course. The Beginner CW course uses an online learning tool called Morse Code Trainer (MCT). A link will be shared to the online learning tool in a moment but first let’s go over a few ground rules.

The Beginner Morse code course is broken up into 16 sessions. Students will meet with an advisor twice-weekly online via video conference. Students are expected to practice the assignment for the current session. For example, practice session-01 before meeting for the online session-01 so the advisor can assess your progress and address any problems that arise. So, practice the session-01 assignments for the days preceding session-01, and then practice the session-02 assignment for the days preceding session-02 meeting, and so on.

There are four key tools that will help ensure your success in this course. This curriculum workbook. This is your guide and workbook assignment document. It is laid out in a step-by-step fashion for you to follow.

Second is an online video conference tool like Zoom, Skype, Meet, meet.jit.si, etc. which enables students and advisors to meet in a virtual training environment two times per week. This allows everyone to see and hear each other, and the code being sent.

Third is a daily practice log. Keeping a log of your practice is essential. A Log will show where progress is made and the characters that need more practice. Create a spreadsheet, a handwritten paper log, or a paper tablet. Anything that works. Appendix J is a sample log that can be printed out and used.

The last and most important tool is MCT online learning tool. MCT is an online learning tool that is preloaded with curriculum workbook assignment sessions. Play the characters, words, abbreviations, and numbers over and over, until you feel comfortable that you recognize each letter and number sound pattern. Note, we did not say each letter or number in dots and dashes or dits and dahs – we said sound the pattern. That’s the secret to learning Morse code in a way that will scale up in speed as you progress. Learn Morse code like it is a new language. Listen to the complete sound of the characters being presented not the individual dits and dahs that make up the character.

At the beginning of Session-11 you will be introduced to a new tool called Instant Character Recognition (ICR). All the letters, numbers, punctuation, and prosigns have been presented in the learning tool. It is now time to try your hand ICR. The purpose of this tool is to get you started learning to copy the sounds in your head. Work through all the characters you have learned.

Multiple paths to take on your Morse code journey

There are many paths to take in your Morse code journey like contesting, ragchewing, or short QSOs. And they all start with learning the basic character recognition. This course will help you start that journey. Good luck and enjoy the ride!

Suggested readings for incoming students

1.      Instant Recognition by Nancy Kott, SK,WZ8C.

Nancy talks about building your Morse code speed. She also talks about Instant recognition and how to find out if you have instant recognition. She goes on to explain how to gain proficiency as well as CW speed using instant recognition.

2.      The FOC Guide to Morse Code Proficiency by Gary Hinson, ZL2IFB.

In the document Gary goes into great detail about Morse code speed, and timing that is worth reading several times to understand the full meaning of the rhythm of Morse code (CW).

3.      Controlling Frustration and Nervousness by Bill Leahy, K0MP. Bill is a CWops advisor and in this document, he brings up some really good points everyone should know about while on their Morse code journey. He talks about the best ways to study and how to overcome frustration. It is well worth your time to read it.

These documents can be found on the CWops website at the link:
Additional Info & Practice Material for Students
.

A few Words on Learning Morse code

Morse code is an audio language. We don’t write the dits and dahs that we hear. We train our brain to translate the dit-dah patterns into characters. These characters are then assembled into words, phrases, and sentences that we humans can understand. Learning to copy Morse code in your head takes practice. You will not become proficient in Morse code without practice and a lot of it.

As with learning anything new we need to start with the basics. Learning the alphabet, numbers, punctuation, and some basic prosigns are what this class is designed to do.

There is a predefined order in the learning process and if you follow the curriculum guidelines by the time you reach session-16 you will be ready to get on-air and enjoy your newfound skill.

For Our Blind Students

We endeavor to make CW Academy accessible to all. Student resource documents are formatted for accessibility for low-vision and also blind people using screen readers. They are available in both PDF and HTML versions. Many of the daily lessons include abbreviations, random letter sequences and other items that screen readers may attempt to pronounce as nonsensical words. When you encounter those, have it spell the words. Tables and graphical items have descriptive alternate text. Table of contents and structured headers will aid your navigation. If you encounter difficulties with the materials, please tell your advisor and we will try to make improvements.


 

Introduction to Morse Code Online Trainer (MCT)

MCT is an online practice tool designed to work with this CW Beginner curriculum workbook. It is part of the MorseCode.World website, which offers many training tools.

Screen shot of Morse Code Trainer webpage showing top-level menus

This link will take you to the Online MCT Tool. Bookmark it so you can go to the MCT tool anytime. Your advisor can assist you if necessary.

Personalization:

You will need to enter this information when you get to session-11. You can enter it now or wait until you reach session-11. It’s up to you. You can fill in this information at any time.

Screenshot of Morse Trainer CW Academy page showing 6 Personalization fields. Fill in your call sign, location, name, age, power level in watts, and antenna.

Preparing for Copy Practice.

Your copy practice will be set to 25 CPM with a Farnsworth of 6 CPM for a good reason. You need to be able to translate Morse code at a high character speed that prevents you from counting the dits and dahs. You can Increase the character speed if necessary. A brief explanation of Farnsworth timing can be found in Appendix K.

Follow these steps when you are ready to start practice:

§  Open the Online MCT Tool

§  Under Practice Content

·         1: Select the Copying button. MCT tool will autoload copy practice settings.

·         2: Select the Session (1 to 13) that you want to practice via the Next and Previous buttons.

·         3: Select the Message Type to practice, such as characters or words.

Start each new copy session with Characters. Once you have them committed to memory move to Words then CW Abbreviations, Numbers, Callsigns, and finally Phrases. If a message type is grayed out that means they are not available for that session.

 

In Playback options there are three repeat settings:

Screenshot of the three play optons buttons: Repeat, Random, and Save Audio

§  Off no repeat. Plays the message type selected one time.

§  Repeat On will repeat the message text selected over and over again.

§  Repeat-one will repeat the single message selected again and again.

Once you have learned to copy all the characters in a message type try setting Repeat on and turning Random on.

Your advisor can explain how each repeat button works.

Preparing for Sending practice

Your sending practice will be set to 15 CPM with a Farnsworth of 6 CPM for a good reason. You need to be able to send Morse code at a character speed that allows you to form good rhythm and timing habits. Try to stay at the 15 CPM character speed. It is plenty fast to carry on an “ON-THE-AIRQSO. As you progress try increasing the Farnsworth speed.

§  If not already open start the online MCT tool

§  Practice Content

·         1: Select the Sending button. MCT tool will autoload sending practice settings.

·         2: Select the Session (1 to 13) that you want to practice.

·         3: Select the Message Type to practice.

Start each new sending session with Characters. Once you have good rhythm and timing move to Words the CW Abbreviations, Numbers, Callsigns, and finally Phrases. If a message type is grayed out that means they are not available for that session.

In Play options there are three repeat settings :

Screenshot of the three play optons buttons: Repeat, Random, and Save Audio

§  Off no repeat. Plays the message type selected one time.

§  Repeat On will repeat the message text selected over and over again.

§  Repeat-One will repeat the single message selected again and again.

Once you have learned to send all the characters in a message type try setting Repeat-on and turning Random on.

Sending or Keying Morse code

Learning to copy Morse code uses only your brain to memorize and to recognize letter patterns as words or phrases. Learning at a high character/per/minute (CPM) rate allows you to hear the characters as a unique sound pattern not the individual dits and dahs that make up the character.

Sending involves mechanical motion and dexterity. You form the character or word in your brain, the brain tells the hand to move in certain ways, and then the hand reacts to the brain’s command. Wow, that’s a lot of steps. Well actually, it all happens very fast but the problem most beginners have is not knowing what to send but learning the hand motions needed to form the dit dahs patterns with a mechanical keying device. This is why your sending practice is set to a slower CPM rate. Trying to send as fast as you can copy will only lead to frustration. The question a lot of new CW operators is how to send faster. The question should be how to send well-formed, readable code that another person can copy. You do this be learning to send a speed that is fast enough to make the conversation meaningful yet slow enough for the message to be understood by the other person. Speed will come with practice and getting on the air and making contacts is the goal of this course.

Keep track of your time by watching the Elapsed practice timer in the Playback Controls section. Try to limit your practice time to around 15 minutes a session.

How the Sessions are Arranged

Let us look at an example of how to get started. Your first curriculum workbook assignment is to play the following messages, one at a time, until you feel you can recognize them. New characters introduced in each session will be identified and highlighted in RED.

Daily Sending Drill

We offer some additional practice in the form of a sending/keying drill in each session to help you practice sending each character. For example, the Daily Sending Drill is designed to help master the spacing and rhythm of Morse code by sending each character repeatedly. One way to judge an individual’s sending skill is to record what is being sent and then play it back and try to copy your own sending. You can use a phone or a PC to record your sending.

Learning Morse code takes determination and practice to master. Repetition is the best way to lock in the sound and rhythm of the characters you are learning. Sending the Daily Sending Drill is a great way to practice the CW rhythm. Once you have learned the characters, begin each session by sending the Daily Sending Drill several times to warm up your keying hand and to get your brain ready to learn.

If you decide to do the daily sending drill, please note that it does not appear in the online Morse Code Trainer tool. It is presented in each section to help you gain proficiency in Morse code sending.

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   EEEEE   NNNNN   TTTTT

Before meeting for session-01, you should be able to recognize and send the patterns using the character’s ‘T’, ‘E’, ‘A’ and ‘N.’ And be able to recognize the words ‘TEA,’ ‘TEN,’ ‘NET,’ and ‘TEE.’ And be able to do that at a character speed of at least 25 wpm and Farnsworth spacing of at least 4 wpm or higher.

During this first session, your advisor will be sending those characters and words to everyone, individually, to see if you have learned them. Then, he/she will ask individuals to send the characters and words with their keyer to assess how well everyone has learned good element (dit or dah) timing and spacing.

Practice Sessions and Workbook Assignments General Information

Sessions 1 through 10 will introduce new letters, numbers, punctuation, and prosigns. Sessions 11 through 13 is where you will put all that has been learned into practice. The building of a simple QSO is introduced here as well as simple contesting practice. Sessions 14 through 16 are set aside for your advisor to help you prepare for getting “ON-THE-AIR”.

Sessions 1 through 10 are broken down into several parts. First will be the setup instructions for the online Morse Code Trainer program. Start with the initial setup instructions mentioned above.

·         Characters for this session are those you will be working on in this session. New characters introduced in the current session will be identified and shown in red.

·         Characters learned (x) is a running list of all the letters, numbers, punctuation, and prosigns that have been presented so far.

The next part is the Copy Practice portion of the session. The message types presented here are preloaded in the online MCT tool. They are listed here for reference so you can see what will be presented in the online MCT. The Copy Practice portion has the following labels:

§  Characters

§  Words

§  CW Abbreviations

§  Numbers

§  Callsigns

§  Phrases

The labels are there to better understand what you are learning. Notice that some words look a little strange and you might think they are misspelled. Actually, these are CW abbreviation words we use to convey our message in as few keystrokes as necessary. Refer to Appendix A for the definition of the shorthand words and how they are used in a QSO.

This is followed by the Sending practice section. When entering the sending portion on the MCT tool, listen to the message and then try emulating the sounds with a key or keyer. The Sending practice portion is also divided into the following labels:

§  Characters

§  Words

§  CW Abbreviations

§  Numbers

§  Callsigns

§  Phrases

At the end of session 10 there is an introduction to Instant Character Recognition (ICR). ICR is the process of listening to and recognizing the characters without writing them down. Yes, using the conscious and subconscious portions of the brain. If you want to increase your Morse code speed above 13 to 15 wpm ICR is the only way to go.

Your advisor can help you to get started using the ICR tool if you choose to use it.

Sessions 11-13 is also where you will put your knowledge to use by going through QSO scripts.

Sessions 14 through 16 are set aside for your advisor to help you prepare for getting “ON-THE-AIR”.


 

Session 01:

Characters for this session (all are new):        A E N T

Characters learned 4:                                      A E N T

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

A T E N

Words:

TEA                  TEE                  EAT                  ATE                  AT                    TAT                  TEEN

NEAT                TEN                  TAN

CW Abbreviations:

AA                    ANT                 NET

Phrases:

EAT AT TEN                  AN ANT                        AT TEE                         A NEAT ANT

 

Sending practice

Characters:

A T E N

Words:

TEA                  TEN                  TEE

CW Abbreviations:

AA                    ANT                 NET

Phrases:

EAT AT TEN                  AN ANT                        AT TEE                         A NEAT ANT

Daily Sending Drill:

TTTTT   EEEEE   AAAAA   NNNNN  

 

Session 02:

Characters for this session:           previous A E N T  plus new  S I O 1 4

Characters learned 9:                    A E I N O S T 1 4

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

A E N T S I O 1 4

Words:

TEN                  TON                 TIN                   TIE                   TOE                  NO                   NOT

NOTE               IT                     AT                    ONE                 NEAT                NET                  NITE

TOES                STONE             TEASE              NOISE

CW Abbreviations:

ES           SAE           SASE         SN               STN

Numbers:

1441                4114                1414

Callsigns:

N1AS          N4ON           S41T            NO1S              AI1E              IT4O             EA1ON              ES4IT


Phrases:

NO NET STN                1 TO 4                          ITS A TEST                   4 TON STONE


 

Sending practice

Characters:

A E N T S I O 1 4

Words:

TIN                   TIE                   NO                   NOT                 IT                     AT                    ONE

CW Abbreviations:

ES                    OT                    SAE                  SASE                SN                    STN

Numbers:

1441                4114                1414

Callsigns:

N1AS        N4ON           S41T         NO1S              AI1E               IT4O             EA1ON             ES4IT

Phrases:

NO NET STN                1 TO 4                          ITS A TEST                   4 TON STONE

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   EEEEE   IIIII   NNNNN   OOOOO

SSSSS   TTTTT   11111   44444


 

Session 03:

Characters for this session:         previous O I S  plus new  D H L R 2 5

Characters learned 15:                A D E H I L N O R S T 1 2 4 5

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

O I S R H D L 2 5

Words:

ALL                  TELL                 TALL                 DEAL                THE                  THEIR              DOLL

DELL                HALL                HILL                 HOLE               LOAD               LEAD                LATE

LATER              SEAL                SELL                 SOLE                SHE                  HER                 HEAR

CW Abbreviations:

AA                    ES                    SN                    STN                  DE                    DN                   HI

HR                   LSN                  NR                   RST

Numbers:

142                  451                  1425

Callsigns:

DL1AT              HH5H               HS1TD             ND2T               NA4T

Phrases:

LSN DN 1              RST IS 555                     HAIL ES RAIN                        DE NR4DL                 LSN DN 2

 


 

Sending practice

Characters:

O I S R H D L 2 5

Words:

ALL                  TELL                 THE                  LEAD                LATE                SHE                  HER

CW Abbreviations:

DE                  DN                     HI                     HR                   NR                   RST                  TR

Numbers:

142                  451                  1425

Callsigns:

DL1AT              HH5H               HS1TD             ND2T               NA4T

Phrases:

LSN DN 1                     RST IS 555                    HAIL ES RAIN                  DE NR4DL                 LSN DN 2

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   DDDDD   EEEEE   HHHHH   IIIII   LLLLL   NNNNN

OOOOO   RRRRR   SSSSS   TTTTT   11111   22222   44444

55555


 

Session 04:

Characters for this session:         previous R H D L 1 4  plus new  C U

Characters learned 17:                A C D E H I L N O R S T U 1 4 2 5

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

R H D L 1 4 U C

Words:

CHAT               CHAIR              CHIN                CHART             OUCH              COUCH            TOUCH

SUCH               TEACH             REACH             SUN                 SON                 HOLD               TOLD

SAIL                 RAIL                 TAIL                 NAIL                 OIL                   SOIL                 TOIL

COIL                 RAIN                CAUSE             SAUCE             TOSS                TOLL                TALL

TELL                 CELL                CALL

CW Abbreviations:

ADR                 CL                    CS                    CUL                  DE                    DN                   ES

NR                   RST                  SOTA                STN                  TU                    UR

Numbers:

4241                1452                5441                2145

Callsigns:

NC5A               NA2T               CU1LL              CO5NO            NU4R               CT1AC             CE1NI

Phrases:

UR RST IS             HR IN UT           CUL TOD                 LSN DN 1                 SOTA 2514

 


 

Sending practice

Characters:

R H D L 1 4 U C

Words:

CHAT               CHIN                TEACH             SAIL                 RAIN                TALL                 TELL

CW Abbreviations:

CUL                  DE                    ES                    NR                   RST                  TU                    UR

Numbers:

4241                1452                5441                2145

Callsigns:

NC5A               NA2T               NC5A               NA2T               CU1LL              CO5NO            NU4R

CT1AC             CE1NI

Phrases:

UR RST IS                     HR IN UT                      CUL TOD                      LSN DN 1                     SOTA 2514

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   CCCCC   DDDDD   EEEEE   HHHHH   IIIII   LLLLL

NNNNN   OOOOO   RRRRR   SSSSS   TTTTT   UUUUU   11111

22222   44444   55555


 

Session 05:

Characters for this session:           previous U C 2 5  plus new  M W 3 6 ?

Characters learned 22:                  A C D E H I L M N O R S T U W 1 2 3 4 5 6 ?

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

U C 2 5 M W 3 6 ?

Words:

WAIT               WALL               WELL               WILL                MALL               MILL                CHUM

MOW               MUCH             SUCH               WATER            WET                 WHAT              DEW

DATE                ATOM              TOW                TOWER            WERE              WHERE            WAS

WISH               WASH              MAT                 MATT               MEL                 HIM                 HER

HIS                   HW?

CW Abbreviations:

CS                    CUD                 CUL                  DE                    ES                    HR                   HW?

OM                  RST                  SHUD               STN                  TU                    UR                   WL

Numbers:

3354                1432                6122                5564                4321                2346

Callsigns:

W3AA              N3AM              DM5RA            W6AM             N2AT                RW5L               ON4UN

Phrases:

NAME?            UR RST IS 56N               CU TMW DON                SWR IS 2 TO 1                     CUL TOM

 


 

Sending practice

Characters:

U C 2 5 M W 3 6 ?

Words:

WAIT               WELL               MALL               MILL                WET                 DATE

CW Abbreviations:

CUL            DE              ES              HW?               RST                 TMW               TU                 UR

Numbers:

3354                1432                6122                5564                4321                2346

Callsigns:

W3AA              N3AM              DM5RA            W6AM             N2AT                RW5L               ON4UN

Phrases:

NAME?         UR RST IS 56N             CU TMW DON                       SWR IS 2 TO 1            CUL TOM

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   CCCCC   DDDDD   EEEEE   HHHHH   IIIII   LLLLL

MMMMM   NNNNN   OOOOO   RRRRR   SSSSS   TTTTT   UUUUU

WWWWW   11111   22222   33333   44444   55555   66666

?????


 

Session 06:

Characters for this session:           previous M W 3 6  plus new  F Y ,

Characters learned 25:                  A C D E F H I L M N O R S T U W Y 1 3 4 2 5 6 , ?

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

M W 3 6 F Y ,

Words:

YOU                 TOY                  FOOT               TOOTH             ROOT               CUTE               NOISE

LARRY              ROY                 TON                 TEETH              FEET                YET                  THEY

SAY                  RAY                  HAY                  YRS                  FAIR                 FARE                FAR

FUR                  FURRY

CW Abbreviations:

CUL                  CW                  DE                    DWN                ES                    FER                  HR

HW?                NAME              RF                    RST                  SWR                 TU                    MI

Numbers:

1512                3316                4352                6135

Callsigns:

F5IN                 YO1AR             HH5H               NO3M             AA3U               S52R

Phrases:

NAME IS WILL                           UR RST 56N                 HOME IS CODY, WY               UR NAME?

 


 

Sending practice

Characters:

M W 3 6 F Y ,

Words:

CUTE               SAID                 RAID                STIR                 HIM                 FEET                HW?

CW Abbreviations:

CUL                  DE                    ES                    FER                  DWN                TU                    UR

Numbers:

1512                3316                4352                6135

Callsigns:

F5IN                 YO1AR             HH5H               NO3M             AA3U               S52R

Phrases:

NAME IS WILL                         UR RST 56N                   HOME IS CODY, WY               UR NAME?

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   CCCCC   DDDDD   EEEEE   FFFFF   HHHHH   IIIII

LLLLL   MMMMM   NNNNN   OOOOO   RRRRR   SSSSS   TTTTT

UUUUU   WWWWW   YYYYY   11111   22222   33333   44444

55555   66666   ?????


 

Session 07:

Characters for this session:           previous F Y 3 6  plus new  G P Q 7 9 /

Characters learned 31:                 A C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T U W Y 1 3 4 2 5 6 7 9 / , ?

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

F Y 3 6 G P Q 7 9 /

Words:

PAGE                PAPER              PEPPER            GLAD               GLARE             LARGE             LEDGE

GEORGE          GEO                 CHAS               CHASE             CHANGE          PEG                  PUG

PIG                   PEN                  PENCIL             PIPE                 PIT                   GAIN                GARAGE

GUARD            GAS                  GUS                 CHUG              YES                  YET                  YONDER

COY

CW Abbreviations:

AGN?               CPI                   CUL                  DE                    GM                  GE                    LID

OM                  OP                   QTH                 RIG                  RST                  QRM                TU

Numbers:

7423                14253              579                  599                  2N222

Callsigns:

G4AN/3                N1AR/5               W9UCA/9                   W3/PY2AA                         F6/N6AM

Phrases:

GD SIG RON             SOLID CPI MAT                RIG IS ICOM            QTH IS TRAPPE, MD          HW CPI?


 


 

Sending practice

Characters:

F Y 3 6 G P Q 7 9 /

Words:

PAGE                GLARE             LEDGE             GEORGE          PEN                  PIT

CW Abbreviations:

AGN?               CPI                   CUL                  DE                    GM                  GE                    LID

OM                  OP                   QTH                 RIG                  RST                  QRM                TU

Numbers:

7423                14253              579                  599                  2N222

Callsigns:

G4AN/3                 N1AR/5                      W9UCA/9              W3/PY2AA                          F6/N6AM

Phrases:

GD SIG RON             SOLID CPI MAT             RIG IS ICOM               QTH IS TRAPPE, MD             HW CPI?

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   CCCCC   DDDDD   EEEEE   FFFFF   GGGGG   HHHHH

IIIII   LLLLL   MMMMM   NNNNN   OOOOO   PPPPP   QQQQQ

RRRRR   SSSSS   TTTTT   UUUUU   WWWWW   YYYYY   11111  

22222   33333   44444   55555   66666   77777   99999

/////   ,,,,,   ?????


 

Session 08:

Characters for this session:          previous 7 9 /  plus new  B V <AR>

Characters learned 34:                A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y  2 3 4 5 6 7 9 / , ? <AR>

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

B  V 7 9 / <AR>

Words:

VOTE               VAT                  VIEW               WAVE              PAVE                SAVE                VOW

VALVE              SOLVE              VOLT                VAULT              BAD                 BODY               BORE

BORN              BARN               BARNEY           BRAD               BREAD             BED                 BETTER

BEST                BILL                 BUILD              BUILT               BOLT                BULB               BLAME

BLEND             BLAND             BLOW

CW Abbreviations:

73                    AGN                 B4                    BURO              CS                    CUL                  DE

DN                   EFHW              ES                    FB                    FER                  GA                   GE

HI                     HW?                LID                   OP                   POTA                PSE                  PWR

QRM                RCVR               RPT                  SIG                   TU                    UR                   <AR>

Numbers:

6146                5514                2345                9765

Callsigns:

BV2AA             BA1RO             WB2AE               N6RB/4               W2/VE1AR                 VE2/W2LE

Phrases:

NAME IS BOB                 NAME IS BILL                 SOME QSB                               NAME IS VAL

UR RST IS 559                 UR RST IS 459                 BENS BEST BENT WIRE            GOING QRT


 

Sending practice

Characters:

B V 7 9 / <AR>

Words:

VOTE               VALVE              BED                 BEST

CW Abbreviations:

73                             AGN                           FB                                FER                                HW?      

QRM                         RST                             <AR>

Numbers:

6146                5514                2345                9765

Callsigns:

BV2AA             BA1RO             WB2AE               N6RB/4             W2/VE1AR                    VE2/W2LE

Phrases:

NAME IS BILL  NAME IS TED   UR RST IS 579  BENS BEST BENT WIRE

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   BBBBB   CCCCC   DDDDD   EEEEE   FFFFF   GGGGG

HHHHH   IIIII   LLLLL   MMMMM   NNNNN   OOOOO   PPPPP

QQQQQ   RRRRR   SSSSS   TTTTT   UUUUU   VVVVV   WWWWW

YYYYY   11111   2222    33333   44444   55555   66666

77777   99999   /////   ,,,,,   ?????


 

Session 09:

Characters for this session:          previous B V  plus new  J K 0 8 <BT>

Characters learned 39:                A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

                                                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 / , ? <BT> <AR>

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

Characters:

B V J K 8 0 <BT>

Words:

JACK                JAY                   JOHN               JIM                  JERRY               BACK               RACK

TACK                TECH               TACH               REACH             EACH               TEACH             HELP

HIGH                HILL                 FACT                FACE                FAR                  FEAR                THEN

THEIR              HIM                 HER                 HIS                   HERS                THEM              THEY

THEIR              SWITCH           LINE                 ANT                 DIPOLE            VERTICAL        OHMS

HOME             AWAY              TEST                ASIA                 AFRICA

CW Abbreviations:

AGN                 BK                    CPI                   CUAGN            DE                    ES                    FB

GUD                 K                      OK                   OP                   R                      RCVR               RPT

RST                  SK                    SKED                TKS                  TMW               WKD                YL

Numbers:

807                  7300                4250A

Callsigns:

K1JD                N1AR               W2TT               K2UMU            N2NW              VE3NE             VA3KP

K4BAI               N5KO

Phrases:

HW CPI?                      NAME IS JOE                  NAME IS JOHN                 NAME IS JIM

UR RST IS 579              UR RST IS 339                 SRI NO CPY   QRM ON YR SIG


 

Sending practice

Characters:

B V J K 8 0 <BT>

Words:

JACK                TACH               REACH             EACH               FEAR                HIS                   ANT

CW Abbreviations:

K                      OK                   OP                   RPT                  RST                  SKED                TKS

UR                   WKD                YL

Numbers:

 07                   7300                4250A

Callsigns:

K1JD                N1AR               W2TT               K2UMU            N2NW              VE3NE             VA3KP

K4BAI               N5KO

Phrases:

HW CPI?                      NAME IS JOE                  NAME IS JOHN                 NAME IS JIM

UR RST IS 579              UR RST IS 339                 SRI NO CPY   QRM ON YR SIG

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   BBBBB   CCCCC   DDDDD   EEEEE   FFFFF   GGGGG

HHHHH   IIIII   JJJJJ   KKKKK   LLLLL   MMMMM   NNNNN

OOOOO   PPPPP   RRRRR   SSSSS   TTTTT   UUUUU   VVVVV

WWWWW   YYYYY   11111   2222    33333   44444   55555

66666   77777   88888   99999   00000   /////   ,,,,,

?????   <AR><AR><AR><AR>       <BT><BT><BT><BT>


 

Session 10:

Characters for this session:          previous K J 8 0 Q  plus new  X Z . <BK> <SK>

Characters learned 44:                A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

                                                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 / . , ? <BT>  <BK>  <SK>  <AR>

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

NOTE: There are some that say <BK> is not an “official” prosign and should not be sent as one character. Although <BK> is used quite often when working POTA and SOTA contacts. As a new Morse code operator, you will hear it sent both ways, BK and  <BK>. <BK> is presented here, as a prosign, to offer practice in hearing and sending it as a prosign. Your advisor has the option as to how it is presented.

Copy Practice

Characters:

K J 8 0 X Q Z . <BK> <SK>

Words:

NAME        MEMPHIS              NYC                      SF                DALLAS               HOUSTON        TOKYO

PARIS         LONDON                HAMBURG           SYDNEY

CW Abbreviations:

BTU                 CUL                ES                      DE                    DX                    FB                    FER

GLD                 HR                  KW                    OP                   PSE                  RPT                  RST

SRI                   TKS                 TU                     VY                    WX                   XYL                  YL

Numbers:

8044                7400                73                    88

Callsigns:

ZL2TT               VK4OM            JE1TRV             BA1CW            KH6LC              AL2A                AA3B

Phrases:

U HV QSB                    U HV QRM        NAME?              QTH?           QTH IS NY              QTH IS PARIS

PSE QSY TO 7054                                                                                                            


 

Sending practice

Characters:

K J 8 0 X Q Z . <BK> <SK>

Words:

WL                   UR                   OK                   PSE                  RIG                  WX                   ANT

PWR                KW                   OP                   TKS                  RST                  FER                  GLD

CW Abbreviations:

BTU                 CUL                ES                      DE                    DX                    FB                    FER

GLD                 HR                  KW                    OP                   PSE                  RPT                  RST

SRI                   TKS                 TU                     VY                    WX                   XYL                  YL

Numbers:

8044                7400                73

Callsigns:

ZL2TT               VK4OM            JE1TRV             BA1CW            KH6LC              AL2A                AA3B

Phrases:

UR RST IS 579                        QTH IS NR TULSA                NAME IS BARRY               UR RST IS 559

QTH IS DAYTON OH               NAME IS JOHN

Daily Sending Drill:

AAAAA   BBBBB   CCCCC   DDDDD   EEEEE   FFFFF   GGGGG

HHHHH   IIIII   JJJJJ   KKKKK   LLLLL   MMMMM   NNNNN

OOOOO   PPPPP   QQQQQ   RRRRR   SSSSS   TTTTT   UUUUU

VVVVV   WWWWW   XXXXX   YYYYY   ZZZZZ   11111   2222

33333   44444   55555   66666   77777   88888   99999

00000   /////   ,,,,,   ?????   <BT><BT><BT><BT>

<BK><BK><BK><BK>              <SK><SK><SK><SK>  

<AR><AR><AR><AR>


 

Introduction to Instant Character Recognition (ICR) – Practice

ICR practice will use Morse Code trainer at this link:
 Morse Code Trainer Instant Character Recognition

Screenshot of the overall Morse Code Trainer ICR webpage with the CW Academy mode selected. Shows an array of buttons for every letter, number, punctuation, and prosign. Each one is individuallly selectable and toggles on/off.

Instant character recognition is learning to copy Morse code in your head without using a pen and paper. After you have performed the copying and sending exercises in each session to a point where you can recognize the characters and words it’s time to begin working on your ICR skills.

Your advisor can explain and assist you in getting started using the ICR tool in your daily practice. There is an additional getting started document called Guidelines for MorseCodeWorld ICR available on our student resources webpage.

ICR Copying: Select the CW Academy tab then select the session(s) you want to practice. When you select the session button the characters presented in this curriculum workbook will be highlighted.

You can add characters or remove characters by simply clicking on each character.

Select Speech After in the Playback style dropdown menu.

You have three ICR options to work with: Individual characters, random nonesense words using the characters in the sessions being practiced, or sentences of various number of words.

For this class you need to focus on single character recognition first. You need to have a good character ICR foundation before advancing to words and sentences.

§  Choosing Letters, the program will play each individual letter.

§  Choosing words allows you to select how many characters the words should have.

§  Choosing sentences allows you to build sentences of various number of words.

Play: You are now ready to practice ICR. Select the Next button. Set back with your eyes closed and listen to the characters. visualize the character in your mind before the computer says the character. Keep working on this until you can beat the computer.

When you reach about 75% correct copy it is time to increase the Farnsworth speed by 1 or 2 WPM.


 

Session 11:

Putting what you’ve learned into practice.

It’s now time to put all the letters, numbers, punctuation, and prosigns together in QSO scripts that you can use as a model when you get on the air. This session and the next several sessions will give you some actual QSO practice.

Make sure you fill out all the information in the Personalization section. This information will be used in the copying and sending practice that follows.

For the next six sessions you want to set your character speed to 25+ WPM and Farnsworth set to 6+ WPM. Remove any extra time gap settings you might have set. This is the goal for the beginner class.

Screenshot of Morse Trainer CW Academy page showing 6 Personalization fields. Fill in your call sign, location, name, age, power level in watts, and antenna.

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

[your callsign] DE K6RB UR RST 579 NR SF <BT>
NAME ROB HW? [your callsign] DE K6RB K

[your callsign] DE N3JT UR RST IS 5NN <BT>
QTH MCLEAN VA  MCLEAN VA
OP IS JIM DE N3JT

[your callsign] DE W1RM <BT>
UR RST 569 569 IN CT NAME IS PETE <BK>


 

Sending practice

K6RB DE [your callsign] UR RST 57N IN [your town/city and ST abbrev] <BT>
NAME IS [your name] BTU K6RB DE [your callsign] K

N3JT DE [YOUR CALLSIGN] UR RST 56N IN [your town/city and ST abbrev] <BT>
NAME IS [your name] N3JT DE [your callsign] K

W1RM DE [your callsign] UR RST 45N WID QRN IN [your town/city and ST abbrev] <BT>
NAME IS [your name] W1RM DE [your callsign] K

ICR Single Character Practice:

     Letters to Practice: Sessions 01 thru 10

     Message Options: Letters. Practice single characters.


 

Session 12:

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

[your callsign] DE K6RB WX CLDY TEMP 58 <BT>
RIG RUNS 100 W TO VERT <BT>
AGE IS 66 SO HW?[your callsign] DE K6RB K

[your callsign] DE N3JT <BT>
WX RAIN TEMP 42 <BT>
RIG IS K3 ES ANT IS 4 EL YAGI <BT>
AGE IS 65
OK? DE N3JT

[your callsign] DE W1RM WX SNOW TEMP 24 <BT>
RIG IS IC 7700 PWR IS KW ES ANT IS DIOPLE <BT>
AGE IS 70 HW? <BK>

Sending practice

K6RB DE [your callsign] WX SUNNY TEMP 82
RIG RUNS [your power] W TO [your antenna]
AGE IS [your age]
HW? K6RB DE [your callsign] K

N3JT DE [your callsign] WX RAIN TEMP 54
RIG RUNS [your power] W TO [your antenna]
AGE IS [your age]
HW? N3JT DE [your callsign] K

W1RM DE [your callsign] WX OC TEMP 70
RIG RUNS [your power] W TO [your antenna]
AGE IS [your age]
HW? W1RM DE [your callsign] K

ICR Single Character Practice:

     Letters to Practice: Sessions 01 thru 10

     Message Options: Letters. Practice single characters.


 

Session 13:

Work through the copy practice for each message group using the MCT tool. Once you have committed all the copy practice to memory proceed to the sending practice section and go through each section in the same way.

Copy Practice

[your callsign] DE K6RB TNX FER QSO ES HPE CU AGN 73 <SK>
[
your callsign] DE K6RB
E E

[your callsign] DE N3JT NICE QSO TNX CUL 73 <SK>
[
your callsign] DE N3JT GN

[your callsign] DE W1RM ENJOYED QSO <SK>
[
your callsign] DE W1RM
E E

Sending practice

K6RB DE [your callsign] TU FER QSO CU AGN 73 <SK>
K6RB DE [
your callsign]

N3JT DE [your callsign] CUL ES NICE QSO 73 <SK>
N3JT DE [
your callsign]
E E

W1RM DE [your callsign] ENJOYED QSO ALSO 73 <SK>
W1RM DE [
your callsign] CU
E E

ICR Single Character Practice:

     Letters to Practice: Sessions 01 thru 10

     Message Options: Letters. Practice single characters.


 

Session 14:

Before your online sessions, listen to HF radio on CW sub bands. Listen for slower stations calling CQ and copy their callsigns. Listen to slower stations in QSO and see if you can copy some of what they are saying. Practice sending your callsign, QTH and name, over and over again.

Session 15:

Before your online sessions, listen to HF radio on CW sub bands. Listen for slower stations calling CQ and copy their callsigns. Listen to slower stations in QSO and see if you can copy some of what they are saying. Practice listening to your callsign using many different methods.

Session 16:

Before your online sessions, listen to HF radio on CW sub bands. Listen for slower stations calling CQ and copy their callsigns. Listen to slower stations in QSO and see if you can copy some of what they are saying. Practice sending first, second and wrap exchanges.

A great time to practice callsigns, name, and location abbreviations is during K1USN’s Slow Speed Contest (SST) Friday afternoon and Sunday evenings. You can read all about the SST by going to K1USN Radio Club website. This is an easy contest where you can make that first “ON-AIR” contact. Your advisor can offer logging suggestions that assist during the SST event.


 

Appendix A: Some Common CW Abbreviations

 


AA              All after

AB              All Before

ABT            About

ADR           Address

AGN           Repeat, Say Again

ANT           Antenna

AS              Standby, wait

BCI             Broadcast Interference

BCNU         Be seeing you

BK              Break, Break in

BTU           Back to you

BUG           Semi-Automatic key

BURO        Bureau

B4              Before

CFM           Confirm, I confirm

CL              I am closing my station; Call

CLG            Calling

CONDX      Conditions

CQ             Calling any Station

CS              Callsign

CPI, CPY     Copy

CUD           Could

CUL            See you later

CUZ           Because

DE              From; This is

DN             Down

DX              Distance

EMRG        Emergency

ENUF         Enough

ES              And

FB              Fine business

FER            For

FM             Freq Modulation; From

FREQ         Frequency

GA             Good afternoon

GE              Good evening

GG             Going

GLD           Clad

GM            Good morning

GN             Good night

GND           Ground

GUD           Good

HI               Laughing

HR             Here, Hear, Hour

HV             Have

HW            How

K                Invitation to transmit

LID             Poor operator

LSN            Listen

MNI           Many

NIL             Nothing, not in log

NR             Number

NW            New

OB             Old boy

OK             Correct

OM            Old man

OP             Operator

OT             Old Timer

PSE            Please

PWR          Power

R                Roger, Received

RCVR         Receiver

RFI             Radio Freq interference

RIG            Station equipment

RPT            Report

RST            Signal Report

RTTY          Radio teletype

RX              Receive, receiver

SASE          Self-addressed stamped envelope

SED            Said

SEZ            Says

SHUD         Should

SIG             Signal, Signature

SK              Out, clear, end of contact

SKED          Schedule

SN              Soon

SRI             Sorry

SSB            Single sideband

STN            Station

TEMP         Temperature

TKS            Thanks

TMW         Tomorrow

TNX            Thanks

TRE            There

TT              That

TU              Thank you

TX              Transmitter, Transmit

U                You

UR             Your

URS            Yours

VY              Very

WID           With

WKD          Worked

WL             Well, Will

WID           With

WUD          Would

WX             Weather

XCVR         Transceiver

XMTR        Transmitter

XYL            Wife

YL              Young lady

73              Best regards

?                Question


 


 

Appendix B: Commonly used Ham Radio words

 


A

ABOUT

AGE

AGN

ALINCO

ALL

AM

AND

ANT

ARE

AS

AT

BEAM

BK

BUT

BTU

BY

CAN

CLEAR

CLOUDY

COLD

COLLINS

COOL

CPI

CPY

CQ

CW

DIGITAL

DIPOLE

DO

DONT

DX

EFHW

ELECRAFT

ES

FB

FLEX

FOG

FOR

FROM

G5RV

GA

GE

GM

HAD

HAIL

HAVE

HEATHKIT

HI

HIS

HOT

HOUR

HR

HW

HW?

I

ICOM

IF

IN

INV

IS

IT

ITS

JT65

JUST

JUST

KENWOOD

KN

KNEW

KNOW

LIKE

LSB

MEAN

MY

NAME

NO

NOT

NR

OCF

OF

ON

ONE

OR

OTHER

OUT

PSE

PSK

PSK31

PWR

R

RAIN

REALLY

RIG

RICH

RST

SLEET

SLOPER

SNOW

SO

SOME

SSB

SUNNY

SWR

TEMP

TENTEC

TEST

THAT

THE

THEM

THERE

THEY

THINK

TNX

TO

TU

UH

UP

USB

VERTICAL

WARM

WAS

WE

WE

WELL

WERE

WHAT

WHEN

WHERE

WINDOM

WINDY

WITH

WX

YAESU

YEAH

YOU

YOUR

YRS

.

,

?

/

5NN

599

589

58N

579

57N

479

47N

359

35N

489

48N

559

55N


 



 

Appendix C: Abbreviated list of Some Common International Q Signals

A Q signal followed by a ? asks a question.

A Q signal without the ? answers the question, unless otherwise indicated.

QRA

What is the name of your station?

QRG

What's my exact frequency

QRH

Does my frequency vary?

QRI

How is my tone? (1 – 9)

QRK

What is my signal intelligibility? (1 – 5)

QRL

Is the frequency in use?

QRM

Man made interference

QRN

Natural interference

QRO

Shall I increase transmit power?

QRP

Shall I decrease transmit power?

QRQ

Shall I send faster?

QRS

Shall I send slower?

QRT

I’m closing my station down

QRV

Are you ready?

QRX

When will you call again?

QRZ

Who is calling me?

QSA

What is my signal strength? (1 – 9)

QSB

Are my signals fading?

QSD

Is my keying defective?

QSK

Can you work breakin?

QSL

QSO

QSY

Acknowledge receipt

Communicate with

Shall I change frequency?

QTH

What is your location?

QTR

What is your time?

 

For a full list of CW abbreviations with explanations go to the CWops website at: https://cwops.org/additionalpractice/ and click on CW Abbreviations.


 

Appendix D: Top 100 plus English words

 


A

ABOUT

AFTER

ALL

ALSO

AN

AND

ANY

ARE

AS

AT

BACK

BE

BEEN

BUT

BY

CALL

CAN

COME

COULD

DAY

DID

DO

EACH

EVEN

FIND

FIRST

FOR

FROM

GET

GIVE

GO

GOOD

HAD

HAS

HAVE

HE

HER

HIM

HIS

HOW

I

IF

IN

INTO

IT

ITS

JUST

KNOW

LIKE

LOOK

MAKE

MANY

MAY

ME

MORE

MOST

MY

NEW

NO

NOT

NOW

OF

ON

ONE

ONLY

OR

OTHER

OUR

OUT

OVER

SAID

SAY

SEE

SHE

SO

SOME

TAKE

THAN

THAT

THE

THEIR

THEM

THEN

THERE

THESE

THEY

THINK

THIS

TIME

TO

TWO

UP

US

USE

WANT

WAS

WAY

WE

WELL

WERE

WHAT

WHEN

WHICH

WHO

WILL

WITH

WORD

WORK

WOULD

YEAR

YOU

YOUR



 

Appendix E: US States, Territories, and Canadian Provinces

 

US States and Territories Abbreviations

 


AL

Alabama

AK

Alaska

AZ

Arizona

AR

Arkansas

CA

California

CO

Colorado

CT

Connecticut

DE

Delaware

DC

District of Columbia

FL

Florida

GA

Georgia

HI

Hawaii

ID

Idaho

IL

Illinois

IN

Indiana

IA

Iowa

KS

Kansas

KY

Kentucky

LA

Louisiana

ME

Maine

MD

Maryland

MA

Massachusetts

MI

Michigan

MN

Minnesota

MS

Mississippi

MO

Missouri

MT

Montana

NE

Nebraska

NV

Nevada

NH

New Hampshire

NJ

New Jersey

NM

New Mexico

NY

New York

NC

North Carolina

ND

North Dakota

OH

Ohio

OK

Oklahoma

OR

Oregon

PA

Pennsylvania

RI

Rhode Island

SC

South Carolina

SD

South Dakota

TN

Tennessee

TX

Texas

UT

Utah

VT

Vermont

VA

Virginia

WA

Washington

WV

West Virginia

WI

Wisconsin

WY

Wyoming

GU

Guam

PR

Puerto Rico

VI

(US) Virgin Islands


Canadian Provinces and Territories

 


AB

Alberta

BC

British Columbia

MB

Manitoba

NB

New Brunswick

NL

Newfoundland and Labrador

NT

Northwest Territories

 

 

NS

Nove Scotia

NU

Nunavut

ON

Ontario

PE

Prince Edward Island

QC

Quebec

SK

Saskatchewan

YT

Yukon



Appendix F: NATO International Phonetic Alphabet

 

Letter

Phonetic

A

Alpha

B

Bravo

C

Charlie

D

Delta

E

Echo

F

Foxtrot

G

Golf

H

Hotel

I

India

J

Juliet

K

Kilo

L

Lima

M

Mike

N

November

O

Oscar

P

Papa

Q

Quebec

R

Romeo

S

Sierra

T

Tango

U

Uniform

V

Victor

W

Whiskey

X

Xray

Y

Yankee

Z

Zulu


Appendix G: Morse Code Trainer (MCT) Features & Functions

The online MCT tool is very flexible with many settings and adjustments that you can make to change how the tool works. Experiment, you can always reload the setup files

MCT trainer is divided into several sections

Let’s briefly look at each section to see how they can be tailored to help you work through the “Practice Instructions and Homework Assignments Beginner CW” curriculum workbook. There is a help tab in the main banner that you can use to get a full definition of each feature. Your advisor can also help you with any questions you may have.

Personalization

You will need to enter this information when you get to session-11. You can enter it now or wait. It’s up to you. You can fill in this information at any time.

Practice Content

There are sixteen sessions in the Beginner CW curriculum workbook. The first 10 sessions are set up to teach you the alphabet, numbers, 4 punctuation marks, and 4 Morse code prosigns. Sessions 11 through 13 puts everything you learn into real QSO practice. Sessions 14 through 16 are set aside for advisors to help new CW operators get on the air.

In the Practice Content the Next and Previous buttons will step through the sessions. The session currently being played will be in the gray Sessions box.

Learning Morse code starts with learning the sounds of each character, number, punctuation, and prosign.

The list below represent the six practice message types presented in each section of the CW Beginner curriculum workbook. The term message[1] is used to describe the type of information to be played.

·         Characters

·         CW Abbreviations

·         Callsigns

·         Words

·         Numbers

·         Phrases

Message (Show/Hide):

The message box displays the characters, words, CW abbreviations, numbers, callsigns, or phrases i.e., messages that are being played.


 

Playback Controls                                                                               Morse| | Speech| | Bell| | Help|

This is where most of the settings that control speech, timing, repetition, and sound reside.

Detailed controls can be hidden once they are set to your liking. If in doubt about any function you can always use the Help| tab for more information.

History

As you go through the exercises the messages are displayed in the history box. You can turn off the History visibility so it will not interfere with the learning. You can even Download the history file if you wish. Clear history will clear the history box.

Settings

Here is where you can Upload, Download, or Reset the program functions and controls. There are some java script files that will be loaded to configure the MCT tool for either copying or sending practice.


 

Appendix H: Manual Settings for Copy Practice

Here are the default settings for copy practice in Morse Code Trainer. Nearly every section is adjustable meaning you can turn a feature on or off. You can even adjust the timing values as well. 1000 ms equals 1 second in time. The best way to hear the effects of a feature is to try it.

 

§  Practice Content: [ Copying ]  button is highlighted.

§  Check any of the Message radio buttons. Default is Characters. Others are CW Abbreviations, Callsigns, Words, Numbers, Phrases.

§  Message (show/hide): Hide

§  Detailed controls off                                                                  Morse| | Speech| | Bell| | Help|

§  Playback style: Custom

§  Character / Farnsworth are set to 25 / 6

§  Reset the Elapsed practice time by clicking on the reset button

§  Play options: Repeat on         Random: off

·         Repeat off the current message will play once.

·         Repeat on will continuously play all messages sectioned.

·         Repeat 1 will continuously play the current message.

§  1: Show & Say Before: Flashcard off and Speech: on          Flashcard Time: 0 ms.

§  2: Morse Count set to 5                                                       Extra Gap: 0 ms.

§  3: Recognition Time is grayed out,                                      Additions Recognition Time: 0 ms.

§  4: Show & Say After: Flashcard off and Speech off             Flashcard Time: 0 ms.

§  5: Morse Repeat: off                                                           Extra Gap: 0 ms.

§  6: Bell: on                                                                             Bell Gap: 200 ms. (0.2 sec.)

A note about Extra Gap space: As you progress through the sessions if you want to shorten the gap time between messages here are some suggestions you can try. Reducing the gap time will force the program to play the messages quicker. Appendix A gives you a complete breakdown of the copying practice setup.

§  2: Morse play…: Extra Gap of 250 - 500 - 750 - 1000 ms.

§  3: Recognition – optional…: Recognition Time of 250 - 500 - 750  -1000 ms.

§  5: Morse Repeat – option…: Extra Gap of 250 - 500 - 750 - 1000 ms.


 

Appendix I: Manual Settings for Sending Practice

Here are the default settings for sending practice in Morse Code Trainer. Nearly every section is adjustable meaning you can to a feature on or off. You can even adjust the timing values as well. 1000 ms Equals 1 second in time. The best way to hear the effects of a feature is to try it.

§  Practice Content: [ Sending ] button is highlighted.

§  Check any of the Message radio buttons. Default is Characters. Others are CW Abbreviations, Callsigns, Words, Numbers, Phrases.

§  Message: (show/hide): Hide

§  Detailed controls on                                                                  Morse| | Speech| | Bell| | Help|

§  Playback style: Custom

§  Character / Farnsworth are set to 15 / 6

§  Reset the Elapsed practice time by clicking on the reset button

§  Play options: Repeat on         Random: off

·         Repeat off the current message will play once.

·         Repeat on will continuously play all messages sectioned.

·         Repeat 1 will continuously play the current message.

§  1: Show & Say Before: Flashcard off and Speech: off          Flashcard Time: 1000 ms. (1 sec.)

§  2: Morse Count set to 5                                                       Extra Gap: 3000 ms. (3 sec.)

§  3: Recognition Time is grayed out,                                      Additions Recognition Time: 3000 ms.

§  4: Show & Say After: Flashcard off and Speech off             Flashcard Time: 1000 ms. (1 sec.)

§  5: Morse Repeat: off                                                           Extra Gap: 3000 ms. 3 sec.)

§  6: Bell: on                                                                             Bell Gap: 200 ms. (0.2 sec.)

A note about Extra Gap space: As you progress through the sessions some of the messages my take longer to key than the time initially allowed. If you find that you do not have sufficient time to key the message before the program starts playing again here are some extra gap adjustments you can make.

§  2: Morse play…: Extra Gap of 5000 - 6000 ms. (5 - 6 sec.)

§  3: Recognition – optional…: Recognition Time of 5000 - 6000 ms.

§  5: Morse Repeat – option…: Extra Gap of 5000 - 6000 ms.


 

Appendix J: CW Daily Practice Log

 

Class:                                                                    

Student Name:                                                     

 

DATE

TIME

SESSION

TIME SPENT

NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Appendix K: Farnsworth Timing

Traditionally, reducing the speed of Morse code has been done by making everything take longer, i.e. both the sounds and the silent periods between them.

Using Farnsworth timing, characters are sent at a high rate of speed, while extra spacing is inserted between characters and words to slow the transmission down. The advantage of this is that you get used to recognizing characters at a higher speed, and thus it will be easier to increase the word speed later on.

The ARRL uses a Farnsworth setting of 18 WPM (90 CPM) timing for its daily Morse code transmission announcements.

Farnsworth timing was invented by Donald R. Farnsworth (W6TTB) in the late 1950s.


 

Document Revision History and Copyright Notice

©Copyright 2023

This document is the sole property of Rob Brownstein K6RB, Ken Rainey, AC5EZ and the CW Operators club. It may be downloaded and printed for use by CW Academy students. It may not be reproduced on paper and/or any digital format for any other purpose without the express written consent of Rob Brownstein K6RB or Ken Rainey and the CW Operators club.

Revision History:

Date            Revision           Author                                   Description  

2016                   2.0.0    Rob Brownstein, K6RB         Original Document

2019                   2.1.0    Bob Carter, WR7Q               Change course name from Level 1 to

                                                                                    Beginner.

2020 – Apr         2.2.0    Bob Carter, WR7Q               Change Session 7 Sending Segments to

                                                                                    Copying Segments.

2020 – Sep         2.3.0    Bob Carter, WR7Q               Added Zoom .

2022 – Jul           3.0.0    Bob Carter, WR7Q               Added 6 WPM speed suggestion for class

                                                                                    completion, daily practice time and

                                                                                    WPM to 25.

2023 – Feb         3.1.0    Bob Carter, WR7Q               Moved ‘Z’ to section 10 from 9.

2023 – Apr         3.2.0    Bob Carter, WR7Q               Changed ‘sk’ to <SK>; removed ‘-’ from

                                                                                    sections 11 thru 13.

2023 – Jul           4.0.0    Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Creation of version 4.0 CW Academy

                                                                                    Beginner CW Course.

                                                                                    Practice-Instruction-sand-Homework-

                                                                                    Assignments-Beginner-CW“ Initial

                                                                                         document release.

2023 – Jul           4.1.0    Bob Carter, WR7Q               Minor corrections.

2023– Aug          4.2.0    Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Minor format corrections.

2023– Sep          4.2.1    Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Replaced “RIG” with “STN” in advanced

                                                                                         section of sessions 3,4,5,6.

                                                                                    Session07 changed characters learned

                                                                                         from 24 to 29.

2023Sep             4.2.2    Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Session04 changed 1 to L.

                                                                                         copy phrases changed BOB to TOD.

                                                                                    Sending Phrases changed BOB to TOD.

                                                                                    MCT script updated to reflect changes.

                                                                                    Added Release note to page one.

2023Sep             4.2.3    Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Session06 replaced LOG with DWN,

                                                                                    UP with MY, YOUR with YRS.

                                                                                    Sending Phrases: Removed “?” to match

                                                                                    copy phrases. Replaced “HW CPY” with

                                                                                    “UR NAME?”.

                                                                                    Session07 removed B4 from abbreviations.

2023Oct             4.2.4    Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Added CPY to Appendix A .

                                                                                    Added CPI and CPY to Appendix D.

                                                                                    Added Numbers copy segment in

                                                                                     Session02.

2023Nov             4.2.5 Ken Rainey, AC5EZ                  Added the comma “,” to session06.

                                                                                    Moved the letter “Q” from session10 to

                                                                                    Session07.

                                                                                    Added prosign <AR> to session08

2023Dec             4.2.7 Ken Rainey, AC5EZ                  1. Replaced the word “segment(s)” with

                                                                                    the work “practice”.

                                                                                    2. Removed CW Abbreviations from all

                                                                                    Additional Practice sections

                                                                                    3. Added Characters to sending practice,

                                                                                    section in all sessions.

                                                                                    4. Changed Sending Drill font to Courier.

                                                                                    5. Removed Additional practice and made it

                                                                                    Daily Sending Drill.

                                                                                    6. Replaced Morse Code Trainer data with new

                                                                                    Images and data.

                                                                                    7. Miscellaneous formatting updates.

2023Dec             4.2.7.1 Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               1.Fixed typo in “Preparing for Copy practice” section

                                                                                    Repeat on Changed “t” to “text”.

                                                                                    Changed color of Q from red to black.

                                                                                    2. Fixed typo on page 6.

                                                                                    3. Added “.” to new characters this session.

2024Jan              4.2.7.2 Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Updated the default settings in Appendix H & I to

                                                                                    Match the MCT online training tool.

2024Jan              4.2.7.3 Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Session06: changed NANE to NAME, MY to MI.

                                                                                    Updated QRL definition in Appendix C.

                                                                                    Removed OC from session04.

                                                                                    Removed OT from session02.

                                                                                    Removed OC, OT, OM from Appendix B.

2024Mar            4.2.8    Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Removed <BK> as a prosign.

2024Mar            4.2.8.1 Ken Rainey, AC5EZ               Added <BK> back into syllabus with a note in

                                                                                    Session10 explaining usage of BK and <BK>.

2024Jul               4.3       Gary Johnson, NA6O            Reformatted for blind accessibility. Added student                                                                                       log and intro section for blind students.

2024Sep             4.4       Bob Carter, WR7Q                Updated the Canadian Provinces.

2024Sep             4.5       Bob Carter, WR7Q                Corrected the Canadian Provinces.

2024Oct             4.6       Bob Carter, WR7Q                Added Q codes a

 

 

 



[1] The term message is used collectively in both this document and the MCT online trainer to refer to Characters, Words, CW Abbreviations, Numbers, Callsigns, and Phrases.[1]