Learn Morse Code - Lesson 1

Today we learn 4 letters - E, T, A and N.
These videos should be watched in sequential order as they are additive and build on each other.
As mentioned in other videos, if you want to really learn Morse Code, check out CW Ops or Long Island CW Club....
.. but if you dont want to commit and want to take a casual - no commitment approach to learning - this might be a good way to go.
Let me know if these videos help. Im committed to help folks learn Morse Code, so I welcome any feedback.
CW on my friends!

[ReedeetZee]

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

[danieljones]

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

[thorktjt]

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

[wbaham]

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!

[expert]

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

[momoney]

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!

[NihongoGuy]

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

[MordredVertu]

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

[shannonstraley]

I learned CW over 30 years ago in the US Army and it was very basic, just pretty much letters es numbers. I have only been in the amateur radio hobby for 4 years now and I would say about 75% of my TX are with CW now. I am proficient with a SK, SS and Iambic paddle, and want to the learn the bug next. I would say that I am the fastest on the paddle and SS at about 20-25 wpm, but I really enjoy a good rag chew with the SK at 15-17 wpm. This is a very good instructional video, for especially just sitting back with some ear buds on my phone and listening. Great job John! Thx fer putting these lessons together!

[jameskioeb]

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

[paulmadsen]

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

[muskrat]

This is a great course. Passed the ham course with honors last year at the age of 74; bought my first radio and have made many contacts. I've always wanted to learn cw and your course is great. I've learned 4 letters and I'm on the way. thanks from VA2KDJ. 73

[YourModulesMayVary]

great quality, thanks for sharing. Enjoying learning CW!

[tomdonahoe]

@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?

[vinniec]

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

[rodleger]

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.

[brentsecord]

Thanks, good thing I can laugh at my mistakes. Watching/listening to your video it seems simple. Letter identification wasn't my problem. when you dial up the count to 18WMP in application I have issues with either an extra dit or dah on the "N" and "A"! could this be an issue of having the key NOT properly set up (ie. travel to short of long)?

[DarkShadowCustoms]

I think I found the video series I am going to use to learn CW. I picked up a 3D printed paddle key for $15 at a local hamfest over the weekend. I have been thinking about learning CW since I passed my Extra test this past October.

[wonderingworld]

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.

[nickrolfe]

Thanks for this really appreciated, I'm just starting to get interested in this after getting SDR. Thanks again.