PA3CLQ's Leuke Linken Nr. 433
CW tutoring software
GM
all,
Have any of you found CW tutoring software that you like.
I've used "Just Learn CW" and like it very much.
Any
other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
73 Urb W1UL
REM :
An FB prog.
73 Jan Pieter Oelp PA3CLQ
REM :
CW_Player at:
47 & 73, Charles R. Tropp N2SO http://QCWA.org
REM :
Urb and all, Please pass this along to possible Morse students;
To those who want to learn Morse and get on the air on CW,
Morse training Software is a modern version of the old disc recordings and then tapes we had in the old days, BUT in my opinion, it is just the FIRST step.
To prepare for actually getting on the air on CW the Morse student needs to sit down in front of a RADIO and listening to real QSOs on the air with the usual noise and QRM that we face in the real world of CW communication.
Sure, use the software to learn the sound of the letters, prosigns and figures BUT then sit down with your radio if you already have been on SSB or DIGI modes , Tune to the CW end of the bands, switch the mode to CW, and LISTEN !
CW is Real Radio 73, John...K8JD
REM :
I completely agree with this advice.
However...many programs like the G4FON Koch Method cited earlier have provisions for simulating noise level (in S-units), signal strength, QRM and QSB, chirp, straight key fist, pitch dither, speed dither and variable weight.
Not to mention that the being able to set Farnsworth speed is a pretty good simulation of the way many send on the air, i.e. setting their keyer speed higher than they actually send.
Eric KE6US
REM :
I had no Idea you could make a computer send bad Morse with QRM and QRN on it
73, John...K8JD
REM :
Everything old is new again in the digital age, John. G4FON simulates my 40 meter Novice days in 1957.
It
would be perfect if the QRM sounded like Radio Moscow and HCJB fighting me for
dominance on my only 40m xtal frequency, 7.154 mc.
Eric KE6US
REM :
For
learning and training software you can NOT beat this,
Just make sure you start it with the speed at 20 WPM character speed or faster.
http://www.g4fon.net/CW%20Trainer.htm
Joe WB9SBD
REM :
Urb et al, I am an Advisor for CW Academy CW Academy - Main Page For the beginner 1.
Want to communicate with fellow hams around the world using even a modest rig and antenna? 2. at:
http://www.cwops.org/cwacademy.html
which is a program for teaching CW and improving proficiency with online classes.
There is an online program for the Level I class Morse Trainer Morse Code Trainer which follows our training manual.
Practise copying and sending Morse code using a scheme of sessions developed by Rob Brownstein of CWops.
The speed, Farnsworth speed and pitch of the sound are all fully adjustable at:
http://morsecode.scphillips.com/trainer.html
I also like "Just Learn Morse Code" Just Learn Morse Code and have produced TXT files that follow the CW Academy training manual for use by students that care to use this program at:
http://www.justlearnmorsecode.com
As technology goes, so goes our hobby and to that there are many programs and
aides to learning Morse or improving one's proficiency.
The other replies to your question indicate that.
Lastly CWops' CW Academy site also offers "practice files" for folks to use in their studies CW Academy - Resources Left-Click To Play The Song or Right-Click To Download And Save The File MP3 Song Files General Practice Files Morse Song Sequence #1 T - E - A - O - N - I -... at:
http://cwops.org/cwa-student-res.html
as well as a site to sign up for CW Academy. CW Acadmy - Options The CW Academy is a program put on by the CW Operators' Club aimed at increasing the number of competent CW operators on the HF CW sub-bands. at:
http://cwops.org/cwacademy2.html
Ask
me about CW Academy.....
73, Bill - W0EJ
REM :
I second this one.
Great program.
I've used it for about 10 years to maintain proficiency during periods of inactivity.
I
never used the Koch method as I had been on the air for 40-50 years when I
found this program.
I use it mainly to "play" prepared text files.
I break noir fiction stories into small chunks and listen to them when I have 15-20 minutes to spare.
Doctor's waiting rooms are good places for this.
I can vary the overall speed and the so-called Farnsworth speed.
Within a month or so, I am able to complete a short novel or several short stories.
You can use ANY *.txt file.
I usually set overall speed above my comfort level, then set the Farnsworth speed where I'm comfortable.
So I might set overall at 30 and Farnsworth at 18-25.
The reason I do that is, I want to stretch my speed, but since I'm reading a novel I need to copy at a high enough percentage (at least 80% works for me) to understand the story.
Because of the redundancy of most languages, you don't need 100% copy.
Eric KE6US
REM :
Urb,
Short of a personal tutor/class or CW Academy the best home tutor is http://www.lcwo.net
It will start you from ground zero or bring you up form what ever level you are to where ever you want to go.
It is interactive, intuitive and will keep track of what you need help on and automatically focus on that area.
Good
luck, though all the times I've worked you it seems you are already there...;-)
Randy_KB4QQJ
REM :
Rufzxp.net. look for download on the left.
I like this one for the realism.
It gives call signs at random speed and pitch.
Marty Lifgren
REM :
I signed up and spent about an hour trying it out.
I only tried out the Speed Practice section.
I think it is a very interesting tool.
It provides easy access to a number of different ways (code groups, plain text in dozens of languages, etc.) which provides lots of variety and fun.
It is slanted towards keyboard use.
You enter the characters you hear as you hear them.
I would object to that as I did Rufzvx, but it is easy to handwrite it and get access to the correct text.
No scoring unless you type it in, but you can hand-correct.
The Plain Text Training would be very useful for head copy practice.
It sends a random sentence chosen from a number of sources.
Once you copy it in your head it is not difficult to retain it long enough to type it in for correction.
In fact, I think it would help one train for better memory retention.
That one was a lot of fun.
Worth exploring. Now I'm going to go back and waste another hour at LCWO. hi.
Eric KE6US
REM :
is what I used to relearn code after 10-15 years away from it.
It definitely works.
For those about to give it a try: my only regret is that I had it set at around 7 or 8 wpm for learning purposes.
I do think that I'd be a bit faster now if I'd have learned a bit faster in the first place.
Consider setting it up to double digits (10 to 12 wpm).
Yes, you will be frustrated for awhile.
But, I suspect that you will appreciate it later.
Steve
AI9IN
REM :
I would disagree with this one.
It is too specialized for anything but contesting with a keyboard.
I use it myself on occasion, but I would not recommend it for generalized cw training.
The main reason is that you are copying with a keyboard.
When you hear a Morse character, your brain learns to hit a particular key on the keyboard.
Ideally there is no translation taking place.
Many years ago, I trained myself to use a mill (all uppercase typewriter made for the purpose).
I could copy for hours and not understand a thing I was copying.
The characters went from sound in my earphones to a letter on the yellow paper roll with virtually no conscious comprehension by me.
That's the way it is supposed to work.
However, that skill does NOT translate well to writing it on a piece of paper.
It's a different skill.
Sound in the earphones is translated into strokes of a pen/pencil.
That's a very different skill than hitting a particular key and your brain treats it differently.
Skill in one does not translate fully to skill in the other even though the input is the same Morse/Vail code.
Head copy is still another skill that needs to be learned separately for many.
When I typed on a mill, I had no idea at all what was being sent to me.
It didn't get processed as head copy!
And if I had head copied it, I wouldn't have had time to shift gears and type it.
Once a student has trained to write it down, which is the skill most of us need to copy in the hamshack, then the other skills will come with a little practice.
If you plan on contesting with a keyboard, rufzxp is a good trainer.
Other trainers also have a contest simulation.
Whether you contest or not, head copy is another skill you should try to develop as early as possible.
I posted a note a few weeks ago where I copied 50 call signs with the keyboard using Rufzxp.
Then ran it again and copied another 50 with a pen.
I remembered many of the call signs that I had copied by hand.
I didn't remember a SINGLE call sign I copied on the keyboard.
I actually copied a little more accurately on the keyboard, but had zero retention.
I repeated the experiment several times with the same result.
My main point is that we are talking about three different copying skills here.
A proficient operator is going to want to learn all of them.
I wouldn't start with the keyboard.
I
would start with either hand copy or head copy, but hand copy has the advantage
of a record to check for errors.
Eric KE6US
REM :
I had learned CW in the Navy and then did not use it after 3 years on active duty.
6 years later I decided to become a ham.
Reviewed the numbers, letters and punctuation.
Then got a cheap regen receiver and started listening.
Nothing beats copying with a radio as it allows you to learn to copy through man-made and natural interference.
I do recommend that if you can find some Farnsworth method practice with that with the characters at 18 to 20 wpm and then spaced out to 5 wpm.
Free cw practice available as audio filles on the arrl.org web site.
73 , Jim Bassett, W1RO-ARRL Nevada Section Traffic Manager, Life Member gobig.Isagenix.com
REM :
Hi to everyone...this is IZ0WKV, i would recomend also cwcom software for learn and improve straight key tecnique...hope to meet soon someone there.
Best 73 IZ0WKV
REM :
One of my favorite tutors is a program called Morse Runner.
This program allows you to adjust speed, qrm, and pile ups.
It is like listening and participating in a car contest.
Also, a free download.
Very enjoyable
Blessings, Al MUOIO
REM :
Sounds like the designers of modern tech are leading us farther from using the airwaves and more into internet providers ruling our ham radio operations :!!??
CW is Real Radio 73, John...K8JD
73, your Editor PA3CLQ
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