V V V QST QST QST de W3VR = msg folos =

 

The Tampa Amateur Radio Club will begin featuring "Fun With Morse" on the second Monday of each month. 

This Morse Code learning opportunity will be hosted by Lu – W3VR and others and will feature not only code practice, but CW operational insight from amateurs that use Morse to communicate on the bands.  

The goals of the ongoing sessions is to give Morse operators (and those wanting to become Morse operators) knowledge of procedures and traditions common in Morse communications. 

 Code copy and sending practice will also be available, but there will be more than simply copying code.

 The format of the session is ongoing... Since people learn the code at different rates, there's no fixed graduation and no formal class format.  After all, this is fun, not school!

 There are a couple of pre-requisites and commitments that attendees should consider.

 First, you must leave all those sheets with dots and dashes at home, preferably filed in the garbage can.  You WONT learn dots and dashes here.  You WILL learn the SOUND of code in a fun and entertaining way, much like how you learned your first language.  After all, Morse is not a WRITTEN language, it is an AURAL language!

 Second, you need to own at least a hand key and an oscillator.  Bring it with you!  You will learn how to adjust it and how to set it up for practice.  If you don't have a key or an oscillator, we will discuss ways of getting one at low or no cost.  Sending code is just, if not more, important than receiving it!

 Third, you must make a commitment to yourself and your class colleagues to spend at least an hour every two days practicing the code.  To help with this facet of the session, you can download the program listed below for your operating system.

 This special practice software can run on most personal computers using DOS, Windows, Linux or Macintosh operating systems.  Choose the appropriate OS for your computer platform, download the program and use it to learn and practice the basic letter sounds WITHOUT referring to dots and dashes.  It is designed to figure out your strengths and weaknesses and adapts appropriately.  Just don't set it any lower than 10 wpm please!  That way you wont be able to count "dots and dashes".

 If you don't have access to a computer, let me know and I will create some CD's for you.  However, the software is the BEST way to learn, as it is "adaptive" to your particular learning needs.

When you get the alphabet down, and feel like practicing "contest style" qso's in a realistic environment, but don't have a radio handy, you can download the free program located here.  This program is a TERRIFIC CW contest simulator that is incredibly realistic, with amazing detail down to QRN and QRM from other ops!  It will train you to become a more efficient operator and teach good operating practices.  When you're ready to tackle a contest for real, let me know!

 I have also included a copy of the pdf file I have saved for over 30 years, Your Novice Accent .  This document is a great primer on Morse on air operating practice.  Follow its advice and you wont be dissapointed.

We will start the formal presentation every Second Monday of the month at 7:30pm and continue for an hour or so.  Bring your key or keyer if you have one!