How Do I Learn Morse Code? T his tutorial teaches you how to learn morse code on your own. The following software is free via the link below. It is not a full version, so please keep that in mind when using it. The software is called NuMorse Pro, sold by NuWare Inc. It is by far the best software existing for learning morse code. There are many other morse code programs out there, that are excellent, but I firmly beleive this one beats them all for many reasons. Download the following file from the QRZ.com FTP Server. ftp://ftp.qrz.com/pub/morse/NuMorP13.zip Learning the Code Once you have downloaded the file, double click on it to unzip it/install it to a directory. Then run the Program from your Start Menu. When NuMorse opens up, you will see a window called "NuMorse Profiles" pop-up on your screen. You will be able to Select "Default" or "Koch Lessons". In this case, choose "Default". The next window shows two tabs: "Choose a Lesson" and "Learn Morse Code". This time select the "Choose a Lesson" tab if it isn't already selected. I recommend you read the text in the "Lesson Details" text box, because it contains valuable information. To determine which lesson you need to take, click on the arrows at the bottom of the window. This will allow you to switch between lessons. Read the descriptions carefully. The lessons build upon each other and should be taken in order. Do not skip between lessons. All the lessons are there for a reason. Once you have selected the lesson you need, click on the "Learn Morse Code" tab. This window doesn't look very interesting at first. When you are ready, click the play button in the lower left corner. Wait 6 seconds, as a timer counts down. Make sure to get some paper and a pencil handy. Once the timer has silently gone off, you will here the first morse code sound clearly in your speakers. Make sure the volume is high enough to hear it clearly. Try to write down the letter you hear. If you have trouble you can look up at the screen and see the letter, and a picture to help you remember that sound. Make sure to take your lessons daily, until you are sure to have learned all the letters in your current lesson well. Then you may switch back to the "Choose a Lesson" tab, and continue on to the next lesson. Try not to look at the pictures when practicing. It is O.K. to look if it is a new letter you have not heard before, but once you have heard the sound several times, you should try not to look at the screen. the purpose is to recognize all the alphabet without looking at the screen. Morse Code Speed Also, make sure you check the speed the morse code is being sent at. To do this, click on the "Show speed controls." check box. This will cause a small window to pop up, showing the morse code speed controls. By default it is set to 3 words per minute. This may be slow for some people, so you can play around with it. If you are new to morse code, I recommend setting it between 5 and 7 words per minute. The maximum the speed controls allows is about twenty words per-minute. The first control sets the speed at which the individual morse code characters are being sent at. The second control allows adjustment of the spaces between the letters the program is sending. The last control adjusts the spacing between the words the program sends. I recommend a setting of: Newcomer: 3 WPM Code Speed: 10.1 Spaceing: 30% Extra Pauses: 0 Beginner: 4WPM Code Speed: 14.0 Spaceing: 28% Extra Pauses: 0 Expert: 5 words per minute: Code speed: 15 Spaceing: 33% Extra Pauses: 0 Preparing for the Test At this stage, you should know all the letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and special pro-signs. You are ready to practice for the real test. Open Nu Morse again. This time click the Koch Lessons tab. Let the program load, and in the main window across the top edge of the screen select the QSO Generator, and select "QSO Settings". This opens up the QSO Settings Window. Select the QSO type. Start out with short, to see how good your skills really are. Now click the magnifying glass icon to create the QSO. Close the window. Click on the "Input and Output" selection in the main menu, find and click on "Select input device..."(Shortcut: Press Shift+F4). This opens up the Input Device Window. Select "QSO Generator". Now return to the Main menu, and select "Play>Play Morse code..." or press "F9". This will open a window with a picture of a keyboard and other controls. Click play to start. Your first set of characters will be a set of "V"'s followed by the QSO. Make sure to copy down as much as you can. Then go back to the QSO Generator and check how well you did. Good luck! Final Thoughts Nu Morse Pro is one of the best software programs out there. I recommend that if you like it, that you register and buy it. The writer of the program spent many dark hours writing it so that you and I could enjoy ham radio to the fullest. Software these days is cheaper than ever, so please buy it.(I have no monetary benefit from this.) There are a few other programs or tapes out there that can help you study but I recommend using this software because of its excellent features, and ease of use. I wish you good luck, and if you get your license, give me a call. My callsign is AD6XS, and I hang out on the 15 and 17meter bands in the afternoons and evenings. Good luck, do your best, and enjoy the excitement of experiencing your first ham radio contact on the worldwide HF bands!!! 'til next time... Sam Szarka Make sure to tune in next week, for the next in this series ... » What Can Ham Radio Do For Me? Would you like to post this on your website?  Reprint information, Hamquick Reprint Rights Copyright 2002. Samuel Szarka. www.hamquick.com