How To "Just Learn Morse Code"

Getting Started With CW

Fred Beatty, K8AJX

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Simply Learn Morse Code

Okay, now you have a general idea of how to get about learning the code and increasing your proficiency, permit'southward consider the Laptop computer software that will assistance us to become brass pounders. There are a number of commercial programs available to help yous learn the code, but in that location also is freeware that will do a skillful job. Among the best of them is "Just Learn Morse Code" by Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB Just Learn Morse Code. This is the one that nosotros volition employ in this tutorial.

morsecode

First, download and install this program and review the pull down menus at the top of the folio. Pay particular attention to the "Help" carte du jour, noting the Koch and Farnsworth approaches to learning the code. We are going to use a bit different methodology, but these are options that yous may wish to consider after you get the nuts down.

Before we really brainstorm, let'southward prepare "Only Larn Morse Code" and then we are all on the "same wavelength." You tin can brand adjustments to personal taste after you become proficient in using the program. For now, check the options as follows:

View/	Output	Displays the practice characters in the "Output" window.
	Codes	Moves the code listing to the right side of the page for easier use.
	Toolbar	Displays the graphic symbol length, speed, pitch, and view options for easy reference.
	Status	Shows status information at the bottom-left of the folio.
Source	/Character Set	Allows you lot to central the characters from the code list on the right of the screen. This is helpful in reviewing individual characters.
	Selected Characters	This is the option that allows us to input characters that the program will send in irregular order. Here is where we pursue our "methodical approach."
Tools/	Options	For speed, set 10 and 18, respectively.
		Set the pitch to 800 and the characters to five.
		Exit the minimum and maximum word length and prosign spacing at the defaults of 2, 7, and iii respectively.
		The "Mode" remains at "Larn." You can set it to "Practice" once yous have learned the characters.
		The right-hand options column remains at the default settings except for "Duration." We recommend that y'all set that at 2 minutes, vice the default of 5.
		The "Character Ready" Tab carte du jour is where you select the characters that you lot want to practice (from the print-out in "The Basic" department). They are defaulted to the "Standard Set." In the "Prosigns" set up, select BT, SK, AR, and AS, every bit well.
		Then click on apply. You will see these characters appear in your code listing at the right of your screen.

Now let'south look at the tool bar only below the pull-down menus. While the tools are for the most office self-explanatory and self-identify, at that place are a few settings that it volition exist worthwhile to review. The "Play," "Pause," "Stop," and "Record" buttons are simply similar on whatever other programme with like features. The "Stop Immediately" push button does just that. Afterward it is the "Toggle Output" push button. Click that so you tin can check your re-create. We won't be using the "Cutting," "Copy," and "Paste" buttons, so no demand to review them. In the next four settings, you should encounter what you have already ready in the 'Options" bill of fare (run across to a higher place).

So, now that you are familiar with the software, it's time to "get down to business."

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