The mike and Key ARC held a short class July 16, 2005, to introduce interested members to computer based learning tools for CW (Morse Code).  This web page is to summarize the presentation and provide links to material discussed.

There was a brief discussion about study methods noting that there are many different approaches described on different web sites.  The instructors recommended a short daily study period of no more than 10 to 15 minutes as being more effective than fewer, longer study periods.

There are also multiple programs available for computer aided code learning.  The computer program recommended for beginning learning CW is a morse tutor program that can be downloaded.  It is simple to download and operate.  It has a graphical interface to show progress in learning.

Other sites to find additional data:

• The online book "The Art of Radio-telegraphy"-A Manual For Learning, Using, Mastering And Enjoying The International Morse Code As A Means Of Communication by William G. Pierpont, N0HFF, (241 pages) is offered through FIST CW Club (The International Morse Preservation Society) at http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm.  It offers much detail about learning CW.
• A site that contains literally hundreds of links and other resources for learning or mastering CW is at: http://www.ac6v.com/morseprograms.htm.
• Another program mentiond is Chuck Adam's, K7QO, Code Course at http://www.k7qo.net/
• Morse Mania - is a program available for Macintosh computers.
• Member Hal Meuller, KE7BYN, has created some "flash cards" which can be used on a PC or downloaded to an iPod and used in the "shuffle" mode to practice CW.  Hal's files are at http://homepage.mac.com/halmueller/FileSharing10.html.  The files, one for each character, are in a "ZIP" file for downloading.

For those members desiring to enhance their CW speed, it was recommended to try morse runner.  It will simulate contesting conditions.  It has settings for the copy speed, QRN, QRM, QSB, activity level (1 to a pileup), and other parameters.