Learn CW

Really! You CAN do it, and it’s still a really useful thing to know!

If you’re not familiar with the term “CW” it stands for Continuous Wave and it refers to the tone used to send and receive messages via Morse Code. Yes, that’s the same thing used for decades by telegraphy operators and people all over the world, and no, it’s not dead. For years, I was afraid to take the ham radio license exam because there was a 5wpm Morse Code requirement. Not anymore! You know what’s funny, though? Now that I don’t have to know it, I really really want to learn it! There are a ton of ways to go about it, from audio tapes, smartphone apps, websites, etc. You might say that there has never been a better time to learn it because there are more ways to accomplish that goal than ever before. Whatever method you choose, here’s one tip from me (and I’m just getting started myself) LEARN CW BY SOUND. Don’t look at charts, or memorize cute little mnemonic phrases. CW is an audio method of communication, not a written form of communication. It’s like when my high school Spanish teacher used to tell us to think in Spanish, and not to think in English and then translate. I have to admit that I didn’t fully reach that level until I spent a week in Mexico many MANY years post-high school and it finally clicked. Once it did, though, I was amazed at how much easier Spanish became.

Anyway, enough rambling from me. Here is a great web page that talks about all of this better than I could. I look forward to a CW ragchew with you some day!
https://www.amateurradio.com/learn-morse-code-all-the-cool-kids-are-doing-it/

Posted in W7ZND.