Morse Code Lives on – It’s Not Dead or Dying
Most older hams are fluent in CW (Morse Code) and are somewhat incensed that Morse is not still embraced as much or taught as much any more. Of course there is lots of reasons for that, newer technologies in the digital area, internet linking, that sort of thing.
The great thing about C/W is that you are only sending out a carrier without modulation. Modulation is what you get when you superimpose voice onto the radio carrier. The carrier used in C/W is a very narrow bit of spectrum compared to what we can see in voice communication. When you transmit all of the energy goes out one way or another. If it’s C/W all the power goes out on this infinitely narrow bit of spectrum and a small amount of power can go thousands of miles.
Some amateurs specialize in an area called QRP. They have these tiny radios that they back pack into the hills on camping trips and then, using Morse Code, have chats with people in far off countries. They are often using somewhere between one watt and 4. Some use up to 10 but are considered as being like one who uses a sledge hammer to drive a nail. There is this “exotic” form of communications still available though it’s not being pushed. It’s one of the most basic communications too. You can use a flash light or a whistle. Next time you’re trapped at the bottom of the sea in a submarine you may wish you knew how to tap out a message to ask for help. :-) If you are transmitting voice then you are still sending the same amount of energy but it is being diluted by being spread over several kilohertz of spectrum. That means you can’t be heard nearly as far for the same amount of energy expended.
You can down load MP3 files of Morse Code for training purposes from the WARA web site by clicking on this link:
Read the preamble of the training script on the WARA Web site. There is very useful information on methods to learn Morse Code and some valuable hints on what not to do any why. In a Canadian exam, for instance, you are automatically failed during the Morse exam if you write down dots and dashes to help you recall characters. In some other countries you are expected to do that but not here.
On Air Morse Practice - Listening - W1AW Morse practice. You need an HF receiver or transceiver (something to receive with) plus antenna to make use of this site because what it does is provide you with schedule information to listen in on CW transmissions sent at different words per minute rates, different bands and times. It's real world radio complete with noise from the world around you.
LCWO (Learn CW on line) - A multinational CW practice site that allows you to learn CW without a radio or code practice oscillator.You just need a computer and hookup to the internet.
Please advise me if there are any failed links. Thanks!
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