Affordable CW / Morse Code Trainer for HAMS! (I'm trying to learn...)

As a technician level Ham (KN6VNE), I was originally uninterested in learn CW / Morse Code... but after some conversations with other Hams and simply listening to more CW... I've decided to learn it. Let's check out the affordable CW trainer and paddle key to start practicing.
Paddle key only: amzn.to/3LGBClq
CW trainer option: www.ebay.com/itm/385405636424
Ham Radio Clubhouse: / hamradioclubhouse
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[@TheGtech83]

8 months late and this CW trainer has seemed to have disappeared from existence, I WANT ONE LOL

[@PR-cj8pd]

Google for "Morserino"

[@jwm6314]

Morse mania app seems good. I'm using it now.

[@gary6212]

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

[@tyttuut]

Sphynx of black quartz, judge my vow.

[@twicedaily6923]

KF0FDF here, I'm an Extra, currently learning, I am getting my iambic key in the mail tomorrow and stoked about it. Your doing exactly the right thing! The wrong thing would be to pursue anything in Ham radio that your being pushed or coerced into. This is a choose your own adventure here!!

[@MrSparks54]

I've been watching your guitar channel but I didn't realize you were also a ham. Love both channels! I've been playing bass since 1969 and had my ham license since1977. Thanks Max!

[@lostreb]

Thanks for all the insight and information, as well as links to your training tools. Another fantastic and informative video. Please keep them coming, Max.

[@sasines]

Max this is the first time I’ve come across your channel. It’s great! I’m a long time ham 50+ years and it’s great to hear that folks are still interested in Morse code. Your advice on learning Morse code is spot on. I learned the wrong way back in 1970 and it’s taken a lot of work to get it right. You are exactly right about not writing down letters and just recognizing the sound of the letter and NOT counting dits and dahs. Thanks for taking the time to produce these videos. I’ll be a subscriber for sure. Oh, by the way even though I’m old I still love heavy metal music.

[@SeattlePioneer]

I was licensed as a novice circa 1970. The attraction of the novice license was the low 5 WPM code speed required, CW only on high frequency bands and crystal control of the transmitter frequency and 75 watt maximum power input. That pushed people into building their own novice class transmitter, which is what I did, taking many of the parts needed from a junked television chassis I bought for a dollar at a thrift shop. That was an excellent introduction to electronic theory and practical circuit building. A few months later I qualified for a General class license and after a few more months the Advanced class license I still hold. At the time, you had to take the code test at an FCC office, for the General Class license,. and if you passed that you immediately took the written exam. If you already had a general class license, you only needed to take the Advanced Class written exam at a FCC office. I recall about twenty people or so taking the code test at the FCC office if I'm remembering correctly. Very solemn and formal.

[@Jackie_Rosewood]

CW sound very interesting. Good luck Max👍🏻👍🏻

[@W4EMB]

I started CW in August with the Long Island CW club. It has been great. I just did my first POTA activation (Solo).. my Elmer did a few with me, but I finally did one on my own. Great fun.

[@hogluvr1]

LICW is a great way to go! Very supportive, and go as fast or slow as you like. Life membership is a steal!

[@jamescollier3]

I joined the LI club here in MD. I am at the point where I know the letters, but can't translate it as it comes over the radio

[@eelomaa]

Thanks, I’ve been dabbling with CW but never took it seriously, now I might.

[@VU2RUM]

My catch-sentence carried from 1958 typing class is 'pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs'

[@planeflyer21]

Thanks, Max! This was a good detour off flying. I had no idea there were trainers for the Morse code. That is really cool. Something else on the list now. lol Pilot tip: when writing out your cross country flight plans, try putting the Morse code identifiers next to each NAVAID you use along your route. Easy confirmation you aren't getting - * *** -, which I'm told is fairly common (never experienced it myself).

[@bhall675]

Morse code has inspired songs since it was invented. 73's KE0SEZ

[@WimVoeten]

thanks for your video Max, I'm also gonna look for a tool now. I also feel the connection with music, because of the riddim. I've got a J-45-GY key. A straight key with a vintage vibe.

[@jimsmith7829]

The song YYZ by Rush is based on the morse code VOR for Toronto airport

[@rowitech]

Planes, cars and CW? I thought, I was the only one in the world who is that crazy :). Great to see there are others, too! This is my first subscription on KZbin after 10 years...

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

Thank you. Welcome aboard!

[@docmonty5859]

Max, I had no idea you were interested in amateur radio. I have followed your guitar channel for several years. Congratulations on getting your ham ticket. I have been a ham over 35 years and I am very active in the hobby. Wishing you all the best in your new hobby. 73, Jim (NI6J)

[@gregrainwater4819]

CW is fun. Go for it Max!

[@JamesGood]

Hahah, love that you were talking about a 'heavy piece of metal' in a completely different context! Very interesting, might have to look into morse code at some point. I like listening for the morse in that VORs transmit, in the air.

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

Yes! The VORs. "Positively identifying" them... now I can actually know for sure just by listening.

[@ronkramer7563]

Great advice. Have my General but have put off code. Now I want to do it. Thanks N0WNX

[@user-bs9js9lw3q]

KB4ROY from North Texas here.... found your channel because of the HAM vids you're making. But just for kicks, I watched some of your other videos. Great content overall! Nice that you're not focused on just one topic. But I am just here for the HAM! JK! Nice watch also! I'm an avid watch collector but can't make out what's on your left wrist.

[@WH6FQE]

As a Tech, you have HF priveleges for CW already, so use them. Practice in actual conversations (QSOs) is the best way to learn.

[@misteraon]

A good alternative to the train would be the Morse-It app on iPhone. You can pick up or home brew and interface to make paddle act like two keys on a keyboard. To the iPhone it just looks like a usb keyboard. The. You just define the keys for each paddle in the settings.

[@lexheath8276]

Best way is an oscillator, round table with friends. And read a book, tap code for the text your reading.

[@SummitBidTech]

I like it. I’ve been a ham for decades but struggle with Morse code and suspect it’s because i try to visualize the pattern. I agree. Just hear the sound of the code.

[@petesmith9472]

Excellent. Thank you…Heathcote, Vic, Australia

[@kurt_the_terrible]

you don't have to buy some gizmo to learn morse code. you can use anything that beeps. I use a multimeter with one lead connected to a flat metal piece, tapping with the other. start off practicing the phonetic morse alphabet. practice, practice, practice with books, cereal boxes, anything. when you get up to 10 WPM add prosigns and protocols. one day it becomes muscle memory and you get blazing fast like 30 WPM. then practice listening.

[@MauriceCalis]

I went with your advice, since I am a drummer, and it made lot of sense to get an iambic paddle. Been using it for several weeks and it immediately made sense to me, as an “instrument”. The rhythm that feels right for me is somewhere around 25wpm, though I’m sure I would probably have to slow down if/when I go live. Just enjoying playing around with receiving and sending for now. Looking to get a better oscillator as the MX-K2 has no volume or pitch control, nor does it have interactive training that I’d like.

[@MarkoManiac]

Good luck on the CW journey. Working at it myself again. I Always seem to get aboit halfway through the alphabet and get hung up then distracted and have to start over. Personal i got a morserino32, 2 actually since I finally got my buddy to license. Hopefully both of us trying will kepp the other going. You'll snag that general if you want it. Its no big deal. Just another study session and test. Looking to jump to my extra next. My best advice is get general soon and get on HF(with a modern radio like a 710) asap. It's the heart of ham radio. 2m/70cm toys are good for mobile but in alot of areas its just quiet repeaters. Good luck 73s.

[@chiefkirk]

Hi Maxx DE KA8MNO Advanced class. Good on QRZ. Licensed in 1981. Used to do over 20 wpm but haven't messed with code in a while. You are absolutely correct. Learn code by sound. If you try to hear dots and dashes you then have to transpose that to sound cutting your reading time in half. Code can be lots of fun. I'm also a musician and I also hear the rhythm. It did make it easier for me. Gud luck my friend. I hope to hear you on the air SSB once you upgrade. God Bless

[@Spikeam710]

I had no idea you were a Hammer !!! Very cool dude !!!

[@WLK1965]

Great video! I am a new general class and my interest in CW is perking up. My grandfather (sk) could send so fast, my dad said it almost sounded like a continuous tone. I don’t need to be that fast. 73

[@teamtacoslick]

Best advice i have is as soon as you know your letters and numbers. get on the air and hunt some pota cw stations. that's the first stage rocket ship to get better. second stage is activating pota with cw

[@ve2gml]

From and old ham radio operator (1981) I found your paddle key so nice I ordered mine, for the CW trainer did not find it (no more available) may be on E Bay later tks and nice presentation very easy to follow because english is not my main language. Tks again Marc VE2 GML

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

Excellent. I'm glad the video was useful!

[@michaelt.9372]

That’s the coolest little trainer. I can’t find one to save my life.

[@jim-cm2qp]

You are on the best path, learn the sound of the letter, just like learning another language, its that simple, and just like playing an instrument practice, you know that!! the next step is to learn common words the sound of the words, it's fun. Good luck!!!

[@strangeuniverse1199]

I had a break though in learning morse code when I just stopped looking at my hand and what I was writing. I took my extra class exam in 1988 and aced it, no mistakes. I never looked at what I was writing at all on the CW test. Kind of like playing the guitar and not looking at your fingers as you play. My max speed was 22 wpm and I could never copy code in my head like some military guys used to do.

[@k9kj]

Great video! I do CW learning videos on my channel also, and I noticed that you are a pilot out of Van Nuys airport. I'm based at Van Nuys airport also! Small world with ham radio and airplanes!

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

Hey excellent! I just subscribed to your channel and I'll keep my eyes open if I see you around the airport. We must live pretty close so perhaps we could do some VHF CW practice?

[@k9kj]

@@HeavyMetalHorizons very cool! Yes I'm in Santa Clarita area. Thanks for subscribing but your videos are substantially more cooler than mine! Love the stuff!

[@bruceweight7319]

Get a IC-7300 and since the solar cycle 25 is turning out to be good get on the portion of the ten meter band for technician license CW run 50 or less watts on a wire and have fun. When you pass the General or extra you will have the equipment set a 40 meter half wave antenna up and have a great time.

[@anthonycosta1776]

For you a veteran expert guitarist that comes easy for you. Us tone deaf people will have a tough hill to climb. Thanks for the cool video. Going to buy that trainer. 73s

[@azcharlie2009]

I don't know how far along you are with your instrument training, but knowing CW will help when flying IFR. Any VORs, NDBs, or ILS approaches you might use will have a Morse Code identifier. You are required to verify the navigation station, or approach you are using is the correct one by that Morse Code identifier.. Using the wrong navigation station can get you in serious trouble!! The next time you go flying, listen for them on your local airport navigation frequencies. It's good practice to listen to them.

[@mxcollin95]

Good video! Any chance you could update the cw trainer kit link?

[@Gene-nm2fi]

I hope we can still find them i dont see any and the link is dead.

[@rjy8960]

I got my license in 2004 and have faffed about trying to learn Morse a few times, only to move onto other projects and things because I've not been able to do it and got bored. Now I want to do it properly. The big mistake I made was to try and learn using that character list from Wikipedia. I'm not a musician but I do listen to a lot of music. Trying to lean from the dits-and-dah's sheet for me doesn't seem to work. I'd been doing that for the last couple of weeks during the time I've been practising. I've spent two days just practising listening to and keying back characters A to Z - two 90 min sessions and I've made more progress LISTENING and associating characters with SOUNDS rather than dits and dah's in the many hours I've spent previously. I am on a roll with it because I feel I am making progress. All paper lists of characters have been banished and it is only the rhythms of the characters that I'm working to learn. Next I'll get on to numbers and punctuation and then I'm hoping to give a few reports in a couple of CW contests and hopefully move on to a QSO. I guess it's horses for courses and whatever works for you.

[@madeofnapalm]

Metal Horizons expanding horizons!

[@CG-ng3xw]

Have you found training materials that play tones without the visual association?

[@ronbo422]

Have you seen the practice oscillator anywhere else? Seems like a lost cause, as only the keyer seems to be available.

[@johnbobbitt6872]

Operators who use manual keys have signature rhythms called a "fist". Using a Vibroplex or equivalent "bug" a little less so, but still has some fist. CW is the narrowest bandwidth means of transmission, allowing better detection in the presence of noise (for a given (S+N)/N ratio) by using narrow filters just wide enough to pass the tone and transient-driven sidelobes in frequency domain. Sort of like a guitar pedal set to pass only one string. Think of WWII B-17 radio operator using CW during turbulence. J-37 was the old bakelite straight key. Bug/paddle key is superior for speed and low RSI risk, most likely. Except for call signs and template-based messaging (e.g., QSL card data)which you can just "hear", there is a need to write or type the received characters or phrases when the message is not recognizable until you see enough characters in a sequence (you may find yourself writing from a sort of mental buffer memory as you develop your skill - today's machines can go straight from audio to computer text, but that doesn't let you learn the essentials. Practicing with random 5 letter groups used to be one way to learn. Otherwise, if it was the preamble to the US Consitution, you might only need to copy a lttle before making an assumption about the message. CQ, K, R, Qxx codes are meant to minimize characters for frequent message phrases. Hams also have 73 for goodbye or 88 for love/kisses. Guitar is m-ary amplitude and frequency-shift signalling, with 22-24 times 6 or 7 possible tones and lots of timing variations for the AM - not to mention filtering by muting or bending notes -exercise left to the reader).

[@WimVoeten]

Hi John, what is m-ary amplitude, . . . . or what do you mean by it?

[@johnbobbitt6872]

@@WimVoeten Whereas binary has two states (on/off, 0 or 1, mark or space), m-ary has m possible states. m-ary amplitude modulation would use m different levels to convey multiple data bits. The detector would separate the levels into bins, each with a set of bits associated with that level. A single carrier can be modulated in amplitude and phase so that m=2^n states can be defined. Multiple carriers can also be used with binary or higher order modulation for each carrier. There are a wide range of modulations used in modern communications. With sufficient signal-to-noise ratio, these modulations can be more bandwidth efficient (bits/Hz).

[@keithsmith9889]

I think it was cub scouts I tried learning to get a patch. But apparently I have a short attention span and lost interest a word or two in. But that said if I would have learned patterns instead of trying to listen for numbers and letters it probably would have been easier

[@PopeyeKF4LBG]

Sure wish the trainer was available. Any help on a source? Link does not work... Thanks. 73 de KF4LBG

[@judyt.3228]

Please take Dovydas flying again, he will find a new passion, or I should say a new love. He could use a up lift during this emotional time. ✈️ The last video with Dovydas was a lot of fun. GO flying ✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️ ✈️✈️

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

Yes!

[@bigfrankfraser1391]

when i was working years ago we used morse code (a filling cabinets worth of nda's prevent me from saying who, what, where and when, why. in fact thanks to these nda's and the nature of the work im not even allowed to use my real name anymore) all i legally can say about my time using morse code is 1 word: clandestine

[@juju-yi9di]

may we find this CW trainer today? have you a new link to buy this, i dont find it. Thanks a lot

[@vladvlog9677]

Thanks great stuff. You are mispronouncing ‘Morse’ as Morris’ or I didn’t hear you right?

[@AlienRelics]

A lot of people do that. It is very distracting.

[@mndreamcatcher09]

U a HAM?!! I followed you as a guitar player until now

[@peterpauldonoghue7024]

Hi ... Max Can you repost the eBay link for the trainer , it won’t load for me .. best of luck with your learning, your lucky you’r musical talented - I’m tone deaf and really struggle with learning the sounds Oh, btw your right about learning the sounds and not hear/ visualize/ reckoned ☘️☘️

[@Darklor_WCF]

From the thumbnail i thought this was a video on why its called the royale with cheese in france instead of quarter pounder with cheese

[@cloninger1973]

How long did it take you to get your tech license after you started studying. I got my book the other day and I'm about to start myself. I have got a GMRS license, but want to get into ham as well. Thank you for all your videos here and your guitarmaxx channel. They are awesome bro!

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

I don't exactly remember, but I think it was about a month or perhaps 5-6 weeks. And thank you!

[@cloninger1973]

@@HeavyMetalHorizons Cool, Once I get mine hope we can be a contact for each other. 73

[@cloninger1973]

@@HeavyMetalHorizons BTW what materials helped you the most studying for the license? Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to get my license as soon as possible. Thank you

[@MarkoManiac]

To be clear hamradioprep won't really make you good at ham radio but will help you pass the test. Getting good at actually operating is a matter of practice and study learning one mode and type of operation at a time. Sucking up a ton of the content from the bigger ham channels can help, eventually the nonsense they're on about starts to make sense if you watch enough and you're interested.

[@Martin_PA0KGB]

the cw trainer is not availble anymore

[@sawomirsedziak5623]

Where can I buy this telegraph key device? Could I ask for a link?

[@SP-nt4sr]

I started learning in June of 2022 in June of 2023 I can now send 23 words per minute and comfortable receiving 18 words per minute

[@lorenzxlvii]

Hey, if I give you a mini clip in code morse, could you translate it for me?

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

You can still use cw on 2 meter ssb

[@nozsurfer4278]

I can't seem to find that particular product.

[@gklein4054]

Thx

[@rolandlabajo3880]

Sir, good morning where did I buy that kind of handkey i'm here in the Philippines and how much is the amount of that key thank you sir....

[@petermajor4599]

agree

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

There is a fun way to learn code where they focus on the rhythm to create the letter in your mind. Example: E = eek [female on chair with mouse below] S = sss sss sss Snake hissing A = Say Ahhhhhh R = Burr Rabb it Rabbit image D = Dog did it Pile of poo on carpet image If it works great ... if not ... keep looking Ha. Thank you for the video. I used to have Tech no code but let it lapse ... the cw equipment to get on the air was too expensive for my budget and the time was not available ... and the activity seemed to have low priority in what I was doing.

[@tonywright8294]

I English please !

[@billporter5687]

I can find the paddle key but the trainer is no longer sold on any website. What gives?

[@ddkkrlsn]

That Morse trainer box comes up as unavailable , can you shoot me the company name or manufacturer ? Thanks much

[@Blackabeard]

I just found your video. They are not selling the code reader you have in the video anymore. Do you have any other recommendations of units that do the same things? Or would you be willing to sell me the one you have?

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

I will try and find a replacement for the one in this video!

[@user-yb5iw9op9r]

Forgive me if I'm being uncouth. I can't find that lil trainer and would like to inquire about purchasing it from you.

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

It is I who must ask for forgiveness. The device may have been discontinued and I have failed at finding it available elsewhere.

[@ac8xu]

Kit looks pretty cool, but just a little warning. If you are going to use the headphone jack, do NOT use earbuds. Using the buds will actually bounce your eardrums, just use headphones.

[@mannolitto2196]

My Technician License expired about 4-5 years ago but foolishly I didn’t pay the fees and renew it. Does anyone know if I can still renew it without taking another exam?

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

Sorry, you'll have to retest. Really shouldn't be a big problem; find a local Ham club and they probably have a group who will help.

[@tommiehinman1349]

Links are defunct

[@spencerhochstetler]

A "heavy piece of metal" is....Heavy Metal... \m/

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

You a drummer?

[@Dan-qp1el]

They must have disconnected that model. All the links take me to a different model.

[@blueharley2]

Morse is ONE syllable, not two !!

[@muhammadsteinberg]

15wpm is common for a beginner? I don't think so. 5wpm is the entry-level speed.

[@HeavyMetalHorizons]

5 wpm is so slow it almost makes it more difficult to learn faster speeds.

[@muhammadsteinberg]

@Heavy Metal Horizons I just checked...LOL...My information is ancient. I became a ham long time ago. Novice class still existed. My equipment was a Johnson Viking Valiant 2 transmitter w/ssb and hallicrafters sx101 receiver. Still own a yaesu ft 101. General was 13wpm. Disregard my 5wpm comment. I never used code after I got my ticket.

[@muhammadsteinberg]

@Heavy Metal Horizons Guitars, airplanes, and ham radio. If you also Dive and shoot guns we're the same person...lol

[@aggzish]

So your into cars ,radios ,guitars and you look like a young matt hardy. Bet your not single though 😢

[@tc1uscg65]

CW is a motor skill. You either have it, or you don't.