4 ms·

This is definitely the way to go. If you can hear the shape of the symbols, it's much easier to advance in speed. I've used this method a couple times to learn

This is definitely the way to go. If you can hear the shape of the symbols, it's much easier to advance in speed. I've used this method a couple times to learn all the letters, though I never seem to maintain my interest in it, and I suck at sending. How do folks practice that side of it? Just get on the air?

yuvadam 5y ago
Maintaining interest is hard if you don't utilize your skills on the air, and generally that's how hams practice transmitting as well. However, I am working on a TX module that will allow hobbyists to practice straight or iambic keying with a keyboard. Sure it's much less sensitive than a proper paddle, but it's accessible and actually quite fun!
- Gracana 5y ago
  That's a neat idea, especially if you could set it up to do practice QSOs. iirc back in the day there were some programs that allowed you to connect a key/paddle to your computer by abusing the serial port.
curiousfab 5y ago
If you can, get on the air - it's the most rewarding and fun thing to do. But not everyone is lucky enough to have space for antennas at home. You may enjoy the competitive side of Morse code: You can practice your code speed and compete against yourself and/or others in a number of ways, for example: MorseRunner (pileup simulator): http://www.dxatlas.com/MorseRunner/ http://www.dxatlas.com/MorseRunner/ RufzXP (callsign speed training): https://www.rufzxp.net/ https://www.rufzxp.net/ LCWO (callsign, word, plain text training): https://lcwo.net/ https://lcwo.net/ Good luck!
- wrycoder 5y ago
  Small loop antennas can work well, especially when used with efficient modes like ft8 [0]. You can also get out of the house and get some fresh air using Summits on the Air [1] and Parks on the Air [2]. To learn code, try the Ham Morse app. [0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSJT_(amateur_radio_software) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSJT_(amateur_radio_software... [1] https://www.sota.org.uk/ https://www.sota.org.uk/ [2] https://parksontheair.com/ https://parksontheair.com/

yuvadam 5y ago

Maintaining interest is hard if you don't utilize your skills on the air, and generally that's how hams practice transmitting as well. However, I am working on a TX module that will allow hobbyists to practice straight or iambic keying with a keyboard. Sure it's much less sensitive than a proper paddle, but it's accessible and actually quite fun!

Gracana 5y ago
That's a neat idea, especially if you could set it up to do practice QSOs. iirc back in the day there were some programs that allowed you to connect a key/paddle to your computer by abusing the serial port.

curiousfab 5y ago

If you can, get on the air - it's the most rewarding and fun thing to do. But not everyone is lucky enough to have space for antennas at home. You may enjoy the competitive side of Morse code: You can practice your code speed and compete against yourself and/or others in a number of ways, for example: MorseRunner (pileup simulator): http://www.dxatlas.com/MorseRunner/ http://www.dxatlas.com/MorseRunner/ RufzXP (callsign speed training): https://www.rufzxp.net/ https://www.rufzxp.net/ LCWO (callsign, word, plain text training): https://lcwo.net/ https://lcwo.net/ Good luck!

wrycoder 5y ago
Small loop antennas can work well, especially when used with efficient modes like ft8 [0]. You can also get out of the house and get some fresh air using Summits on the Air [1] and Parks on the Air [2]. To learn code, try the Ham Morse app. [0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSJT_(amateur_radio_software) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSJT_(amateur_radio_software... [1] https://www.sota.org.uk/ https://www.sota.org.uk/ [2] https://parksontheair.com/ https://parksontheair.com/