AA9AU Recommendations for Learning Morse

Morse code is the only digital mode that requires no hardware logic. It can be used when no other means of communication is available.

• car-to-car by horn
• across a noisy room by humming
• by any momentary-on switch

Useful Links

• American Radio Relay League
• K9OX's Multi-Platform Morse Training Program
• Tips

Do's and Don't

• DO learn by SOUND pattern, write (or type) ONLY letters (L), digits, and onomatopoeia (didahdidit).
• DON'T ever write or read short and long lines. Human brain wiring makes code this way slow, and hard to unlearn.
• DO use a live teacher/tutor if available, or a tutorial (e.g. K9OX's Multi-Platform Morse Training Program)
• DO practice as often as you can (in addition to daily/weekly class). A few minutes, every hour, every day is better practice than many hours once a week.
• DO practice listening, to smart phone apps, to recordings, to anything.
• DON'T worry about sending practice. Sending comes easy.
• If at all possible, DO practice with a buddy. As often as possible, listen to your buddy sending (and send to him), a few minutes at a time, by touchtone over phone, by humming between cubicles, ...
• DO listen to yourself humming signs as you drive.
• DO use Farnsworth timing (fast letters, spaced out to slow words).