CW by Jim Stafford, W4QO

CW What is CW?

Continuous Wave – Morse Code

“Invented” in 1836

Samuel FB Morse, Joseph Henry, Alfred Vail

A system of transmitting signals over wire

A telegraph system

Didn't actually use “the code” until 1844

Dots and Dashes on a paper tape

CW What is CW?

A language with only about 44 words

By the civil war, thousands of miles of telegraph wires

When radio came along (1900), no one saw a use..

Except the NAVY

Because why use radio when there was telegraph

BUT ship to shore was what was needed

All early RADIO communication was via Morse Code

AND “ham operators” used it for fun and messages.

No more Morse in commercial use past 1999.

CW

A blast from the past

Thomas Edison sending telegraph CODE

This was recorded by a friend of a friend of my elmer

Pat Moran, W2EM

A great telegrapher in his own right.

Pat belonged to a club which used a circuit to convert

off the air CW to key a telegraph sounder.

CWWhy Hams use Morse Code?

It's FUN!People did not stop painting, with photography!

People did not stop bicycling once there were cars!

People did not stop sailing after steamships!

CW

No longer required for licensingBUT

Listen down in the CW bands on most weekends and see all the fun people are having.

The original DIGITAL mode (using your own digits)

Opens up much more of the richness of ham radio

Auditory – not visual – learn by ear

This new language has only46 words – 26 letters, 10 Numbers, and 10 symbols

How does this compare toLatin?

WHY CW? (remember FUN!)1. Works when other modes do not “get thru”2. Easier to build transmitters that do CW3. It's the international language; heritage4. CW use seems to be GROWING, scuttlebutt?5. It's a natural for QRP (see #1 and #2)

Combining multiple hobbies: hiking, camping, kit building.

6. Kids who learn CW think it's cool!7. CW ops are the friendliest and most helpful8. It can save your life – flash your car headlights! Everyone should know your callsign and SOS

But probably one of the major reasons is …..

Thanks to Peter Steiner's cartoon, as published in The New Yorker

How to learn CW

Go to nfarl.org and their CW SIG pageGo to my blog: w4qo.blogspot.com My mother taught me the CODE!

Do not use the KOCH method – what is that?It was used by the German army to teach code to troops.

Fall behind in your learning and ship off to the Russian Front!

Use the Farnsworth method and CW PLAYER program

Then use the approach outlined in my blog – learn ESTONIA first

58 of my files for practice are on the nfarl.org site

For tips, visit Yahoo reflector: groups.yahoo.com/group/atlCWsig/

CW SIGNineteen Estonians sent a note

to a no nonsense tootsie

Learn CW! ESTONIA in week 1 Meets Jan 22 + 8 weeks self study On the air (M-W-F) practice & tests Hosted by Jim, W4QO at his QTH See Jim at a side table to sign up or get

questions answered

CW

On CW PLAYER

Download/install

Set speed to 5/18

Here is the “order”:

ESTONIADR MULCHPFWYGBJKQXZV12345 etc

CWOn CWP

Pick SELECTED CHARACTERS

Use some letters From ESTONIA

Such as A and T, Then add more

Next get files from NFARL.ORG

CW• Straight key is way to start as it develops good spacing

and characters. IMHO -Paddles can come later.

• With enough practice, you'll develop a musical fist and you'll be ready for faster sending with paddles.

• But … Some people begin with iambic paddles and electronic keyers.  The only "best" method is what works for you.

• Forget about a bug. It’s a mechanical monster from the past. It’s like an antique car; if you want one!

• Most modern HF rigs have a CW "practice" mode, so if you have an all-mode rig you probably won't need to purchase or build a  code practice oscillator.

Ways to send Morse Code

Straight Key ------------------>

Paddle/Keyer

Bug

CW

Don’t buy this key

Don’t buy this key

Get one off ebay such as …

Currently $18.70 incl shipping

Should be able to get a J-38 or J37 for under $35 incl shipping

Or make your own….

Want to increase your speed?

Use the program RUFZ from rufz.net

It's like hitting golf balls on the practice range

Developed to help Eastern EU high schools

Sends you callsigns – increases or decreases speed

Files available on NFARL.org for N. American calls

RUFZ TIPS- It uses characters per minute, not WPM; so use 65- It plays a callsign; if correct, increases speed- If incorrect, it decreases speed- It gives you a score at the end of each session- Details of how to load and use NFARL.org (CW SIG)

112 wpm 90 wpm

163 wpm 140 wpm

Key Points you should know

1. Learning CW is easy – remember only 44 words!

2. Sending is important – send ¼ of the time

3. Get on the air – best practice – make contacts

4. After learning ESTONIA and DR MULCH, get on air

5. Look up and tune in W1AW code practice

6. Start with a straight key OR paddle

7. Eventually Listen to CW without writing it down

8. Set yourself up a DAILY practice schedule

9. Join a CW club – FISTS or SKCC (a free one)

10. Read the “Art and Skill of Radio- Telegraphy”

Thanks to Peter Steiner's cartoon, as published in The New Yorker