troduction

For many of today’s hams there was no choice; obtaining a ham license required learning Morse
code. Five words a minute was the requirement for the entry level Novice license and also for the
renewable, but VHF only, Technician ticket. A General or Advanced class required 13 wpm and it
was 20 wpm for an Extra.

In 1991 the code requirement was eliminated for the Technician class, in 2000 it was reduced to
5wpm for all classes that still required code and in 2007 the code requirement was eliminated
entirely.

Whatever your reason for learning Morse code now, we have some links on this page that will help
you.

Learn Morse Code

Training Courses, Aides, and Apps

ARRL CW Training CDs

CW-related training CDs available through the ARRL online store.

Morse Code Online Reference

Listen to each character and its Morse code sound.

W1AW Code Practice Audio Files

Archive mp3 files of W1AW code practice runs at speeds 5wpm-40wpm.

W1AW Code Practice Schedule

Times, frequencies, and speeds.

CWops CW Academy

The CWops club offers group code lessons online and tutors on-air.

G4FONs Morse Training Program

This free application uses the Koch method to teach CW. Letters are sent at the speed which you
hope to achieve, but only two at a time. When you reach 90% proficiency with two letters, two
more letters are added.

The Ham Whisperer's Morse Code Course

Eleven lessons to learn the International Morse Code. This course is designed to help you learn
the Morse Code from the easiest to the hardest characters. It covers all 26 letters of the English
alphabet, numbers 0 to 9, some punctuation marks, as well as some procedural signals.

K9OX's Multi-Platform Morse Training Program

A free CW application for Windows, Mac, Linux, or DOS; sends semi-random letters and numbers
at variable speeds.

Learn CW Online
You can learn and practice CW at various speeds and formats with words, letter groups, and call
signs through the Koch method. Offers training for the unique QTC exchange used in the Worked
All Europe contest.

AA9PW's CW Practice

You can practice CW at various speeds and formats or download .mp3 files.

RufzXP Training Software

Software designed for those who want to increase to ultra high speed levels; sends random calls
that can top 200 words per minute!

Just Learn Morse Code

Software designed to make it easy to learn Morse code, as well as improve the skills of those who
already know the code.The basic methods used to achieve this are Koch's method and Farnsworth
timing.

CWGet software

A program to decode morse code (CW) via sound card to text. It can work as a narrow-band sound
DSP-filter also. All you need is a receiver and computer with a sound card. A 30-Day Trial is
available.]

K6RAU Beginners Course

This 12-lesson course is designed for beginners who don't know the difference between a dit and a
dah. It teaches students to copy and write down letters, rather than copying in their heads. It
starts with identyifying the sound of dits and dahs and progresses to a five word per minute speed.

CWOPS Academy

There is no cost or obligation to participate in CWops CW Academy Classes and membership is not
required. Enrollment is open to anyone with the desire to learn or improve their proficiency in
Morse Code.

Learn Morse Code via Internet Streaming

Joe Cotton, W3TTT announces the beginning of a new internet streaming radio station. Practice
listening to Morse code translation of Internet news stories.

Morse Code Tips & Guides

Beginner's Guide to CW by Jack Wagoner, WB8FSV

All of the basics, from learning the code and calling CQ, to holding a ragchew and taking part in CW
nets.
Tips for Learning Morse Code

By Chuck Adams, K7QO & Rod Dinkins, AC6V SK

Learning CW Using the Farnsworth Method

An article by Jon Bloom, KE3Z from the April 1990 issue of QEX; describes the learning method in
which characters are sent at a faster speed than the words.

Helping Kids Discover Morse Code

Resources and ideas for teaching kids Morse Code.

Morse Code Machine

The Boy Scouts of America provide a fun way to learn Morse Code

Morse Code: Efficient or Over the Hill?

Why learn if you haven't, and how to copy faster if you have.

Learning Morse Code Effectively

Some advice from Bruce Prior, N7RR

Morse Code Alphabet

Rather than using dots and dashes, it is best to learn the Morse code alphabet by the way it
sounds: dits and dahs. Here is the Morse code dit/dah alphabet.

A di-DAH

B DAH-di-di-dit

C DAH-di-DAH-dit

D DAH-di-dit

E dit

F di-di-DAH-dit

G DAH-DAH-dit

H di-di-di-dit

I di- dit
J di-DAH-DAH-DAH

K DAH-di-DAH

L di-DAH-di-dit

M DAH-DAH

N DAH-dit

O DAH-DAH-DAH

P di-DAH-DAH-dit

Q DAH-DAH-di-DAH

R di-DAH-dit

S di-di-dit

T DAH

U di-di-DAH

V di-di-di-DAH

W di-DAH-DAH

X DAH-di-di-DAH

Y DAH-di-DAH-DAH

Z DAH-DAH-di-dit

Numbers

1 di-DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH

2 di-di-DAH-DAH-DAH

3 di-di-di-DAH-DAH

4 di-di-di-di-DAH

5 di-di-di-di-dit

6 DAH-di-di-di-dit

7 DAH-DAH-di-di-dit
8 DAH-DAH-DAH-di-dit

9 DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH-dit

DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH

Punctuation

Dash (pause)

DAH-di-di-di-DAH

Period ( . )

di-DAH-di-DAH-di-DAH

Comma ( , )

DAH-DAH-di-di-DAH-DAH

Question ( ? ) di-di-DAH-DAH-di-dit

Slant ( / )

DAH-di-di-DAH-dit

Special Characters

Error di-di-di-di-di-di-di-dit

Error (alternate) di-dit dit-dit

Break (BK) DAH-di-di-di-DAH-di-DAH

End-of-Message (AR) di-DAH-di-DAH-dit

End-of-QSO (SK) di-di-di-DAH-di-DAH

Please Wait (AS) di-DAH-di-di-dit

History of Morse Code

Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872) was a painter and founder of the National Academy of Design. In
1832, while on a ship returning from Europe, he conceived the basic idea of an electromagnetic
telegraph. Experiments with various kinds of electrical instruments and codes resulted in a
demonstration of a working telegraph set in 1836, and introduction of the circuit relay. This made
transmission possible for any distance. With his creation of the American Morse code, the historic
message, "What hath God wrought?" was sucessfully sent from Washington to Baltimore.

The Morse code used in those days differed greatly from that which is used today. Morse code
originated on telegraph lines and the original users did not listen to tones but instead to the
clicking sounds created by sounders. They used the American Morse code as opposed to today's
International Morse. When sending dahs (Morse code is composed of dits or short key closures,
and dahs or longer key closures) the user simply sent two close-together dits. This was created by
using a conventional code key.

With the advent of radio communications, the international Morse became more widespread.
Users of the international Morse created dahs with a longer key closure, instead of two close-
spaced dits. In order to increase transmission speed on early landline circuits and later on radio
circuits, semi-automatic "bug" keys were invented in 1902 and were widely adopted. Bug keys
used a vibrating pendulum to create dits and the user still manually creates the dahs.

In more recent times, the user can employ keyers that electronically create dits and dahs. Iambic
keyers have a memory so that the user can operate a mechanical "paddle" quicker than the keying
rate of the keyer. This makes for very comfortable and nearly effortless keying.

Today experienced operators copy received text without the need to write as they receive, and
when transmitting, can easily converse at 20 to 30 words per minute. Morse code will always
remain a viable means of providing highly reliable communications during difficult
communications conditions.
Build a Code Practice Oscillator

Kids and adults alike enjoy building their own practice oscillator to begin the adventure with
Morse code. Here are some suggestions:

One Hour No Solder Oscillator from WA8SME and K7CCC

World's smallest code practice oscillator

W8WG's Cheaper Beaper

Code-Practice Oscillator (beginner)

ARRL Now You're Talking pp. 11-1 to 11-2

This is a complete oscillator that mounts on a small piece of wood. The circuit board for this
project can be ordered from FAR Circuits.

CPO Construction Steps.ppt Pictures of an oscillator being assembled.

Morse Code Fun for Kids

CryptoKids is the National Security Agency's website for kids which includes games, activities and
other student resources about code.

Here's a resource that is particularly fun--It offers a Morse Code generator with options for
choosing different sounds, such as drums, voices, tones--allowing kids to translate Morse code to
music. http://www.philtulga.com/morse.html

The Morse Mouse found at http://www.m0pzt.com/?mouse is an educational game to

demonstrate Morse Code to young people (and the young-at-heart) at local club events. By
sending a series of letters in Morse Code, the program aims to encourage an interest in the mode
through skill as well as memory.
Click here for more ideas on activities for young people.

ARRL Morse code oscillator kit

A great “beginners” electronics kit! Ideal for ARRL members, Amateur Radio newcomers, clubs,
instructors and teachers seeking a classroom kit-building experience.

For more information and how it works view supplementary tutorial for ARRL's Morse Code
Oscillator (in PDF format). Also available: Morse Code Key.

Produced for ARRL by MFJ Enterprises.

Learn More

troduction

For many of today’s hams there was no choice; obtaining a ham license required learning Morse
code. Five words a minute was the requirement for the entry level Novice license and also for the
renewable, but VHF only, Technician ticket. A General or Advanced class required 13 wpm and it
was 20 wpm for an Extra.

In 1991 the code requirement was eliminated for the Technician class, in 2000 it was reduced to
5wpm for all classes that still required code and in 2007 the code requirement was eliminated
entirely.

Whatever your reason for learning Morse code now, we have some links on this page that will help
you.

Learn Morse Code

Training Courses, Aides, and Apps

ARRL CW Training CDs

CW-related training CDs available through the ARRL online store.

Morse Code Online Reference

Listen to each character and its Morse code sound.

W1AW Code Practice Audio Files

Archive mp3 files of W1AW code practice runs at speeds 5wpm-40wpm.

W1AW Code Practice Schedule

Times, frequencies, and speeds.

CWops CW Academy

The CWops club offers group code lessons online and tutors on-air.

G4FONs Morse Training Program

This free application uses the Koch method to teach CW. Letters are sent at the speed which you
hope to achieve, but only two at a time. When you reach 90% proficiency with two letters, two
more letters are added.
The Ham Whisperer's Morse Code Course

Eleven lessons to learn the International Morse Code. This course is designed to help you learn
the Morse Code from the easiest to the hardest characters. It covers all 26 letters of the English
alphabet, numbers 0 to 9, some punctuation marks, as well as some procedural signals.

K9OX's Multi-Platform Morse Training Program

A free CW application for Windows, Mac, Linux, or DOS; sends semi-random letters and numbers
at variable speeds.

Learn CW Online

You can learn and practice CW at various speeds and formats with words, letter groups, and call
signs through the Koch method. Offers training for the unique QTC exchange used in the Worked
All Europe contest.

AA9PW's CW Practice

You can practice CW at various speeds and formats or download .mp3 files.

RufzXP Training Software

Software designed for those who want to increase to ultra high speed levels; sends random calls
that can top 200 words per minute!

Just Learn Morse Code

Software designed to make it easy to learn Morse code, as well as improve the skills of those who
already know the code.The basic methods used to achieve this are Koch's method and Farnsworth
timing.

CWGet software

A program to decode morse code (CW) via sound card to text. It can work as a narrow-band sound
DSP-filter also. All you need is a receiver and computer with a sound card. A 30-Day Trial is
available.]

K6RAU Beginners Course

This 12-lesson course is designed for beginners who don't know the difference between a dit and a
dah. It teaches students to copy and write down letters, rather than copying in their heads. It
starts with identyifying the sound of dits and dahs and progresses to a five word per minute speed.

CWOPS Academy

There is no cost or obligation to participate in CWops CW Academy Classes and membership is not
required. Enrollment is open to anyone with the desire to learn or improve their proficiency in
Morse Code.

Learn Morse Code via Internet Streaming

Joe Cotton, W3TTT announces the beginning of a new internet streaming radio station. Practice
listening to Morse code translation of Internet news stories.

Morse Code Tips & Guides

Beginner's Guide to CW by Jack Wagoner, WB8FSV

All of the basics, from learning the code and calling CQ, to holding a ragchew and taking part in CW
nets.

Tips for Learning Morse Code

By Chuck Adams, K7QO & Rod Dinkins, AC6V SK

Learning CW Using the Farnsworth Method

An article by Jon Bloom, KE3Z from the April 1990 issue of QEX; describes the learning method in
which characters are sent at a faster speed than the words.

Helping Kids Discover Morse Code

Resources and ideas for teaching kids Morse Code.

Morse Code Machine

The Boy Scouts of America provide a fun way to learn Morse Code

Morse Code: Efficient or Over the Hill?

Why learn if you haven't, and how to copy faster if you have.

Learning Morse Code Effectively

Some advice from Bruce Prior, N7RR

Morse Code Alphabet

Rather than using dots and dashes, it is best to learn the Morse code alphabet by the way it
sounds: dits and dahs. Here is the Morse code dit/dah alphabet.

A di-DAH

B DAH-di-di-dit

C DAH-di-DAH-dit

D DAH-di-dit

E dit

F di-di-DAH-dit

G DAH-DAH-dit

H di-di-di-dit

I di- dit

J di-DAH-DAH-DAH

K DAH-di-DAH

L di-DAH-di-dit

M DAH-DAH

N DAH-dit

O DAH-DAH-DAH

P di-DAH-DAH-dit

Q DAH-DAH-di-DAH

R di-DAH-dit

S di-di-dit

T DAH

U di-di-DAH

V di-di-di-DAH

W di-DAH-DAH

X DAH-di-di-DAH
Y DAH-di-DAH-DAH

Z DAH-DAH-di-dit

Numbers

1 di-DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH

2 di-di-DAH-DAH-DAH

3 di-di-di-DAH-DAH

4 di-di-di-di-DAH

5 di-di-di-di-dit

6 DAH-di-di-di-dit

7 DAH-DAH-di-di-dit

8 DAH-DAH-DAH-di-dit

9 DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH-dit

DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH-DAH

Punctuation

Dash (pause)

DAH-di-di-di-DAH

Period ( . )

di-DAH-di-DAH-di-DAH

Comma ( , )

DAH-DAH-di-di-DAH-DAH
Question ( ? ) di-di-DAH-DAH-di-dit

Slant ( / )

DAH-di-di-DAH-dit

Special Characters

Error di-di-di-di-di-di-di-dit

Error (alternate) di-dit dit-dit

Break (BK) DAH-di-di-di-DAH-di-DAH

End-of-Message (AR) di-DAH-di-DAH-dit

End-of-QSO (SK) di-di-di-DAH-di-DAH

Please Wait (AS) di-DAH-di-di-dit

History of Morse Code

Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872) was a painter and founder of the National Academy of Design. In
1832, while on a ship returning from Europe, he conceived the basic idea of an electromagnetic
telegraph. Experiments with various kinds of electrical instruments and codes resulted in a
demonstration of a working telegraph set in 1836, and introduction of the circuit relay. This made
transmission possible for any distance. With his creation of the American Morse code, the historic
message, "What hath God wrought?" was sucessfully sent from Washington to Baltimore.

The Morse code used in those days differed greatly from that which is used today. Morse code
originated on telegraph lines and the original users did not listen to tones but instead to the
clicking sounds created by sounders. They used the American Morse code as opposed to today's
International Morse. When sending dahs (Morse code is composed of dits or short key closures,
and dahs or longer key closures) the user simply sent two close-together dits. This was created by
using a conventional code key.
With the advent of radio communications, the international Morse became more widespread.
Users of the international Morse created dahs with a longer key closure, instead of two close-
spaced dits. In order to increase transmission speed on early landline circuits and later on radio
circuits, semi-automatic "bug" keys were invented in 1902 and were widely adopted. Bug keys
used a vibrating pendulum to create dits and the user still manually creates the dahs.

In more recent times, the user can employ keyers that electronically create dits and dahs. Iambic
keyers have a memory so that the user can operate a mechanical "paddle" quicker than the keying
rate of the keyer. This makes for very comfortable and nearly effortless keying.

Today experienced operators copy received text without the need to write as they receive, and
when transmitting, can easily converse at 20 to 30 words per minute. Morse code will always
remain a viable means of providing highly reliable communications during difficult
communications conditions.

Build a Code Practice Oscillator

Kids and adults alike enjoy building their own practice oscillator to begin the adventure with
Morse code. Here are some suggestions:

One Hour No Solder Oscillator from WA8SME and K7CCC

World's smallest code practice oscillator

W8WG's Cheaper Beaper

Code-Practice Oscillator (beginner)

ARRL Now You're Talking pp. 11-1 to 11-2

This is a complete oscillator that mounts on a small piece of wood. The circuit board for this
project can be ordered from FAR Circuits.
CPO Construction Steps.ppt Pictures of an oscillator being assembled.

Morse Code Fun for Kids

CryptoKids is the National Security Agency's website for kids which includes games, activities and
other student resources about code.

Here's a resource that is particularly fun--It offers a Morse Code generator with options for
choosing different sounds, such as drums, voices, tones--allowing kids to translate Morse code to
music. http://www.philtulga.com/morse.html

The Morse Mouse found at http://www.m0pzt.com/?mouse is an educational game to

demonstrate Morse Code to young people (and the young-at-heart) at local club events. By
sending a series of letters in Morse Code, the program aims to encourage an interest in the mode
through skill as well as memory.

Click here for more ideas on activities for young people.

ARRL Morse code oscillator kit

A great “beginners” electronics kit! Ideal for ARRL members, Amateur Radio newcomers, clubs,
instructors and teachers seeking a classroom kit-building experience.

For more information and how it works view supplementary tutorial for ARRL's Morse Code
Oscillator (in PDF format). Also available: Morse Code Key.

Produced for ARRL by MFJ Enterprises.

Learn More