Morse Code

Now that the International Morse Code is no longer a requirement for amateur licensing, it is up to us try to get new hams interested in this mode... either for its many benefits as an operating mode, or simply to try to maintain this tradition of our hobby. If you found this page (by clicking on the telegraph key shown at the bottom of each webpage)... then perhaps you are interested in learning Morse Code.

There are many computer programs that can help teach you the code or increase your proficiency. I'm sure you know how to use Google. Many programs cost a little money, but there are some very good freeware programs available also. Here are a few that I have recently found to work in the new Windows 7 operating system:

Just Learn Morse Code is an excellent program for beginners or others who want to brush up their CW skills.

A Fully Automatic Morse Code Teaching Machine (DOS, Windows, Linux, Mac)... simple but effective. Spin the "dial controls" to adjust speed and pitch.

Koch CW Trainer 9 can send perfect CW, but can also simulate chirp, QRM, or straight key sending. He also has a CW contest trainer program.

RufzXP-Tancredi is a neat program that focuses on high-speed copy of real amateur call signs. And I mean HIGH-SPEED! See their article (and prize) for the person who copied 200 wpm! So I'm sure you can copy 5 or 10 wpm, or even more!

Don't want to install programs? A very nice online Morse practice site is at AA9PW's place.

So, to get your started... below you will find the basics of the International Morse Code. The sound files were generated at W8MHB's website. I hope that this information is helpful to you. By the way, if you watched the clicking telegraph key on the club webpages carefully, you may have noticed that it is sending 73 de W4SV. You can hear how that would sound at 5 wpm, 13 wpm, or 20 wpm. (Farnsworth spacing)

Alphabet

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

Numbers

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

Punctuation

period (.) comma (,) question mark (?) slant bar (/)

Prosigns (procedural signals)

(These are run together like a single character, with no spacing between elements)
AR (stop, end of message) --- The "+" sign is often used to represent this prosign.
BT (double-dash, separator within a message) --- The "=" sign is often used to represent this prosign.
SK (end of contact, "signing clear")

Send official club correspondence to:
PCARC Secretary Brandie Krajacic, W9BLK
P.O. Box 1782
Valparaiso, IN 46384


Send updates, corrections or comments about the website to:
Stan Vandiver, W4SV






Many thanks to The Grossbauer Group for hosting our site!