Learn Morse Code - Lesson 1 

I was a Morse Code specialist in the U.S. Air Force in the 80’s. I could copy code at about 160 wpm, based on groups of 5,(tho numbers were way easier, so if the transmission was 100% numbers, I could catch around 200 with decent accuracy.) FYI - It's not about the dots and dashes; but actually, sound and rhythm. We FIRST learned how to type, because there is no way in HELL you can reasonably catch a conversation by writing it down. The typewriter was our ditty~bop catcher. It’s all about phonetics: Di DAH - A, alpha / DAH ditty dit - B, Bravo / DAH di DAH dit, C - Charlie I never learned to send code, so thanks, K9KJ

I've been trying to learn Morse on and off for years. I think this style of teaching has been the most helpful for me so far. Thank you

EAT....TEA....EATEN....I'm hungry....

Thank you for making this series of videos. Learning cw is a goal of mine.

I like that you only need to listen to this lesson. Makes it perfect for learning while driving, traveling or on the go.

I am an oldeeee, but I am going to try to learn CW during this year. Thanks so much for your time in doing this for everyone!

First of all, THANKS for the "No Ads" with these videos. Second, you claim to be be sending at around 18 wpm, very good speed for first time learners - but it sounds like about 12wpm - but thats coming from a guy who runs around 25wpm on the air so I'm probably way off. YEARS ago, they taught us at 5wpm which was STUPID, as you had to retrain your brain to get more speed. And I wish you'd not even mention "dots and dashes" as, again, that leads the student into visualization of the dots and dashes, which they then translate into the character (it also leads to counting dots and dashes, which you mention is a BAD thing, so I know you and I are not really disagreeing - just offering criticism. If I thought your video was crap, I'd not even comment! Thanks for the effort in doing this, there is an awful lack of CW instruction these days. 73, WR8Y

I installed xcwcp on my pc. I learned by typing in the letters, listening to the sound, and then used my left and right mouse buttons to create the letters. I learned A B C D, once I got those I started making words CAB, BAD, then I started making sentances "A BAD CAB" then I learned the E, Then I could say "A DACE" and " BEAD" then I added an F and so on, concentrating as much on letter and word spacing as I was actually getting the letters correct. I think that it is the fastest way to learn.

Honestly best video yet for learning this. I started today with another video that goes in order of the alphabet so now I have A through E, N, T, Q, and all the numbers (they’re easy.) Thanks a lot!

This is the best source I've found for learning CW, thank you so much for teaching this!!

Yes please rotate your paddle collection through these videos, would be very cool to see a different paddle in each video. If you can quickly mention the type of paddle or put it in the description that would be nice. Thanks for the videos! 73

@K9KJ One thing I find helpful in hearing morse code sounds better is using headphones or earbuds. As I learn more letters & try to identify them more quickly, I'm finding that it's sometimes more difficult when listening on a speaker. Even the slight echo off our office walls can throw me off a little. A headset also reduces distracting noises a bit. Perhaps as I get more proficient, this might not be such an issue. But I've noticed most CW & quite a few phone operators use headsets. Perhaps this might help others who are having difficulty reading morse?

Oh this is awesome! I've been wanting to get into CW for a long time. Thanks for making this video! 😁

EAT AN ANTENNA… lol

You are an excellent tutor my friend.

I discovered your CW Video today. I will be listening to all of your CW videos. You are correct in that CW is an audio signal. Getting to send and receive CW is a goal of mine.

I really appreciate this even though I've learned the entire alphabet and numbers I'm so focused on the dots and dashes I'm visualizing them, I keep recreating them in my mind as I listen and I cannot get to five words a minute looks like I'm going to have to follow what you're doing trying to understand letters as a sound

This is a great relaxed start to my Code learning experience! Thank you!

Thank you for this video! CW is my goal for 2024.

Huge tnx for showing CW this way. It looks like finding the binary code 001, 010, 100 - learning by similarity (reversed sounds/marks/symbols) . I did not expect to learn 4 letters so fast :) . 👍

Nice! Good course!

This is great! Thank you!

Thanks for doing these videos. I learned CW back in 1996 but only did voice on two meters. Now, I'm going after my General and will want to do CW on all the bands. This will serve as a great refresher! Good for the brain! 73, KC5SMH

Thanks for the help!

ASA 05H, Ft Devens Mass, 1970 loved my R390 all four of em....25 years

verry good video, many thanks

Cool dude,very cool. Thank you for making these videos.

N E A T very nice looking forward to yr next video

I want to learn CW, and your video’s will be usefull.

Excellent, thank you so very much for sharing.

Very nice job and teching like cw

Your lessons are fantastic......

I have been a HAM operator for so long.... Its time.. im 30 and i want to learn 😅 thank you for your videos 🙏 KC9MBK.

Thank you for that.

Thanks!!!

Thank you. Very N E A T

SALUDOS DESDE EL ESTADO DE SONORA,,,,,,CAMBIO DE FRECUENCIA A MAZATLAN,,,,,,,,SALUDOS CAPY ROGER

great job thanks 73 from kb2uew

Thank you for helping to learn CW. Your voice interaction is better than just a website streaming out letters.

Great job !! 73 from HK3OUY

Hi could you tell me what key make and model that is? It’s really nice

Hi TJ, Do you have in mind a schedule of how often you will post a new video in this series? Thanks for doing these! 73

I'm looking forward to the video where you teach how to receive faster. I started cw a month ago. I learned A-Z on about 2 weeks. While I know the letters, I'm not..."familiar" with them at high speeds. I learned them at 6wpm and now trying to listen faster but I cannot comprehend fast enough. 1 letter at a time at 15wpm I'm ok. Put 3 or more together no way. I guess it's still early but hoped I'd start to get a bit faster than 6...

This is great, the time of the video is good. Not too long so it can be digested in small chunks. I would like to see a separate video on your key recommendations. Thanks and keep it going.

NEAT!

Without looking through all of the comments...What is the paddle/keyer are you using? 73's

Please do me a Favour and tell me what kind of Microphone and whether you use some kind of Voice editing or enhancment because your voice sound Cinematic and Professional

Do you have a podcast or would you mind if I ripped the audio from this series to mp3? I don’t like having RU-vid open on my phone in the truck

I get the idea of learning to send but is there anything to plug into a radio to change it into words?

I know this is slightly off topic, but what sort of paddle is that? Very pretty, and such a nice base.

Are the dits and das of discrete length or does the signal depend on how long you press the paddle?

Is it advisable to have a machine to use for practice? If so what is recommended?

What key is that?? It is a beauty!!!!

what make model is that key?

can tou recommend a good practice app

What brand of key is being used in this video?

What is the name of that keyer?

Might need this if Russia presses Red

I feel that audibly your “T” is too short. It should be roughly 3 times longer than your “E”. To me, it sounds not long enough.

neat

Impossible for normal person to learn (Memorize) All these Leters & numbers....Like it's a Foreign language which I never could in HS....

Hit the "Wall" by 4th letter....Then first learned 3 all Forgotten & jumbled....Sounds way to fast or something.....

It ain’t easy . Practice practice ,practice 30 minutes a day for say a year and you might just get there ! Good luck you will need it .

Great Video de K9BBQ - ..- . .

Just found your videos today. Recent ham (just passed General studying for Extra) and absolutely love this method of learning the characters. Great job and thanks for the effort. KQ4OAJ