MORSE CODE - What is The Point of Learning it and Using it? | HAM RADIO

Morse Code is nearly 200 years old now. Why would you want to learn it it use it today. we have FT8, SSB and all kinds of digital modes. Perhaps this video will answer the question.
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[@redstickham6394]

Thanks for the great video on morse code. Just because a technology isn't new, doesn't mean it should be tossed out. Morse works very well. There are a lot of hams who still use RTTY in spite of how long it has been around. There are even some using FeldHell, which has also been around a long time. I enjoy working these modes and CW. I'm not very fast at CW, I tend to hit the wall at around 17WPM, but I still enjoy working it even now. I don't think one has to be fast at CW to enjoy it.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing.

[@PaulK7VIQ]

I am a slow learner and I have tried to learn it from when I was a kid and tried to remember it from the chart in our family encyclopedia set and old MFJ key and Heath oscillator. Still trying, but now using LICW methods and getting the letters, numbers, LICW basic punctuation and pro-signs at 18/8 and trying to narrow up my spacing. Even if I never get on the air with my newer keys, it is still a mental challenge to help my brain do what it can do within its limits.

[@PatFortino]

As always, great video. I’ve been a ham for almost 4 years and on cw for two years. Learning it was very difficult. I can copy about 20wpm but can only head copy about 15wpm. I am cw only now mainly because I need to practice every day. I can reach many more ops on cw than I can on SSB. I run barefoot with an end fed and can work most ops that I can hear. Also, it’s great for portable QRP ops like SOTA and POTA. Most SOTA ops operate QRP because they have to carry all the gear up a mountain. On SOTA activations I always get about 25-40 QSOs with 5 watts. Finally, cw is a lot of fun. Thanks Pat K7GUD.

[@mplmpl7780]

I wish I had it now, how did you learn any tips?

[@smiffykuk]

Very good video Peter.. I started learning about seven years ago. Always wanted to learn it but too many things got in the way. Also I found the learning very tedious. I then started talking to another op on 80m who said the same. We started doing it over facetime. This allowed instant repeats and a bit of micky taking. This made the learning good fun. We eventually went live on the air and have been sending on both straight keys and paddles ever since. As you have said, its a personal skill that appreciated because it is quite hard to learn. Thanks for your efforts in bringing interesting videos.☺️

[@seankm6nfo990]

CW is great fun. Thanks. 73.

[@mplmpl7780]

I am 43 now and trying to learn this art , I must say when listening at QSOs on the radio I find it is so fast I have no chance .its nice when I find a slower guy. Also straight or paddle for beginners?

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

One idea to help is you can try listening around QRP frequencies as the QRP ops tend to send a bit slower. 7030KHz has a lot of activity.

[@a1aman]

Really, you went through that whole explaination about the creation of the code saying it wasn't Morse's idea for what we use today and stopping short mentioning the 'assistant's name, it was Alfred Vail. Without his help, Morse would have failed. If you delve deep into Morse's bio, he didn't like to share credit with anyone, especially Alfred Vail and Joseph Henry.

[@user-tl5tt5yw3c]

The first time i saw cw used by my neighbor i was hooked ,😊

[@watersstanton]

And no regrets! 73 Peter.

[@user-tl5tt5yw3c]

@@watersstanton none this far ,well I guess like anything else there is always resistance thanks peter

[@stevewarner8880]

I got my novice license in 1972 while in high school. There was a 5 WPM requirement then to get the ticket. I really enjoyed CW but didn’t renew and got busy with life, family,work etc. in 2018 I got back in the hobby and back on CW in January of 2019. To date I’ve logged over 4000 CW QSOs I really enjoy it. I can also understand why many hate it but I would encourage all to try it

[@watersstanton]

Sell done Steve and great to hear your story. 73 Peter

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Thanks Peter. I know it can be a bit of a struggle or commitement for people to learn CW. However, I do believe it is worth it. I cannot say I remember anyone telling me they regretted learning CW.

[@watersstanton]

Yes agreed

[@tkflanagan4449]

You are AWESOME!!!!

[@watersstanton]

Maybe slight exaggeration !

[@allanbell1675]

I remember taking my Morse test at the Coast Guard station, Trusthorpe so long ago I can't remember the year. I was so nervous. The test was in a large room. Remember it as simular to one of the old school labs. He sent me the test piece and I copied it down then let me have a couple of minutes to make corrections. That went well I thought as I gave it back to him, and he read it and put it to one side. Then it was my turn. It was an old brass key, heavy and clamped to the bench. My hand was shaking as I sent the test piece and there were so many extra dots, well I struggled through, feeling I had blown it. He stopped me let me take a breath a few kind words and I finished it off thinking I had failed. But nevertheless, he shook my hand and gave me a pass. Commenting I should get more practice but to stick with it. I would like to say a big thank you to John Wittington G3OZO from WARS club who taught me CW. He could send, drink a pint and carry on a conversation with someone at the other end of the room. Sadly, he passed several years ago. I have always loved CW but work and family meant I had a break and now getting back into it. Can't say I've improved since the 12 WPM and I still struggle to send as old age bites, but it's the favourite part of the band for me. Many thanks for the videos, Peter 73's de G4YWX. Allan

[@fredflintstone8048]

Enjoyed the video. All valid great points IMO. I've never met a human (that I'm aware of) who's ego didn't cause them to take credit for inventing something, or predicting something that was going to happen. We all seem to want to project the idea that in some way we're superior to others and or at least deserve a certain amount of adoration. I tend to take them all with a grain of salt. That goes for those who are written down in the history books as well.

[@The_Oblivion_Light]

The very one code that should be taught even in school for kids is SOS. I feel that is a very imprortant code for when you are in situation where you have to be discreet or unable to speak in situations like if you are choking.

[@fluid123uk]

I'm 50 and ive just started re-learning the code. Youre right. more than anything its fun to learn new skills.

[@watersstanton]

Keep at it.

[@patriot9455]

Digital communications are 200 years old. CW can be understood through high noise.

[@Brass735]

I always tell those who ask, that Morse is the global native language of Amateur Radio, for that matter, all radio. It transcends geographic boundaries and linguistics.

[@CriticalThinker-42]

I didn't see the point in CW/Morse back in '76 when I got my Novice license, and I still don't. It still seems more of a Cult thing, rather than practical. If CW was so great we'd learn it as children rather than speech, and I've never heard of any group communicating face to face going daw dit daw dit, dah dah dit daw. Most of the "skills" we learn in ham radio cross over to other aspects of life, but not CW. Digital communications OTOH is a huge aspect of life today, and were using it right now to communicate ideas and explain differences, as well as it equaling or bettering CW in most if not all aspects of communications. I keep running across videos trying to get others to learn CW too, but digital sells its self once you show it to others and what its capable of. How many videos, or even pictures have you ever sent using CW? How many songs? Its legal to send digital music data over the ham bands, just not broadcast music. I don't cut off my legs, or poke out my eyes, or become a heroin addict just because I can, its a reasoned and sane choice not to do these things. Just as its a reasoned and sane choice not to relearn CW while I still have a Computer and/or a Voice to communicate with. Back before Morse was dropped as a requirement for getting a Ham ticket, most hams rationalized the Ham bands would be overran by CB'ers and turn our bands into Chaos if it was dropped. But that didn't happen. We boldly moved into the 21st century and Y2K didn't end life as we know it... CW as a requirement for licensing was more of a Hazing into Ham Radio. I had to do it, so should you, was the mentality. And a few folks are still thumping the key, like a preacher thumping a Bible. I guess CW is still going out of nostalgia. But I have no desire to learn Sanskrit or other archaic forms of communications either. If you enjoy still doing it, Great! Its not for me. I enjoy your videos, but on this point we disagree. 73 mike

[@johnrees44..G4EIJ]

A good summary, Peter..also worth mentioning the added bonus advantage of instant feedback from the Reverse Beacon Network, which you have demonstrated in a previous video..73..John..G4EIJ

[@watersstanton]

Yes good point. In fact in a previous video I encouraged ops to program in a CQ TEST string into the CW Memory

[@johnrees44..G4EIJ]

@@watersstanton ….you did…..and I did as you suggested, and, as you know better than I do…it’s very satisfying, within seconds of sending CQ, seeing a map showing that you are radiating rf, even if nobody comes back😊..73

[@johnwest7993]

I'm an American No-code Extra Class ham. But I am learning CW now because it is a very simple code that can be transmitted using ANY sort of either/or medium, from tapping sounds to flashing lights. I had one friend, an engineer send paragraphs of error code info from a hard-drive he had designed. He received all of the error-code text with just an activity LED on the drive prototype. If you know CW, it's that simple. So a CW radio transmitter design can be very, very simple. It's just an on/off carrier. An oscillator will do for a low power transmitter. As for reception, very simple receivers can effectively receive very weak signals. So CW transceivers can be very low power, very simple, very effective rigs. That's hard to beat.

[@eddrummerhands9448]

i guess redundancy may be the point of cw along with learnig moris code?

[@leobardofelix12]

I like your voice

[@watersstanton]

you dob’t have to list3n yo it all day though like I do!

[@leobardofelix12]

@@watersstanton -.-. …. . . .-. …

[@brianwilliams8620]

There's a lot of Mike shy operators out there which would mite benefit from using CW. Where do you start and how to learn I guess

[@watersstanton]

Yes true.

[@georgebodley8068]

Plenty of CW learning to be found on the net it's a question of which method suits you best

[@d.jensen5153]

CW as the marmite of ham radio...hilarious! Jim, a friend in high school, was expert in Morse code. Never wrote anything down and could chat with me while listening to code. At a particular moment he would raise his hand, turn around, and start keying. The whole thing was marvelous to me. He used an HW-101 he'd built himself, and had a large steel tower supporting an inverted-V antenna. Fed it with ladder line he'd made himself. He was a real go-getter! Made the impossible look easy.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing.

[@deanblake5072]

At one time Code was required for very good reasons, since Amateur Radio uses frequencies than transist nation borders, in internation regulations required a common mode and this is morse code. Also, something way way important. The advantage in weak signal work is never been matched ! Why. In CW the signal is narrow, its bandwidth is a fraction of other modulated modes, so noise is directly related to bandwidth. The signal to noise on this mode has many DB even over SSB which is about 9db over AM. This is also the first and orginal digital mode ever used. Also, because of abreviations used in morse many hi speed operators can communicate just as fast as you can speak FACT. In earlier moon bounce work EME ...the demands on path loss. Required, yup CW. To make the trip. Its AGE has nothing to do with its serious advantages. Its a mode an a powerful one.

[@ammocraft]

After 15 years on the air, I have just started learning morse. For me, the reason was simply to get more contacts, especially for POTA/SOTA/VKFF. Being both antenna limited and with a high noise floor at my QTH, it's an "easy" way to overcome this without relying only on what I regard as very impersonal digital modes like ft8. Nothing wrong with them, there's just no human interaction. Being hopeless at languages, though, it is slow going! ;)

[@norbertstepien9185]

In addition to all the practical advantages of cw, I find it fun to be able to operate a paddle or key efficiently. The acquired skill is enjoyable in and of itself. Collecting keys is another facet of that I and others enjoy.

[@watersstanton]

Yes indeed.

[@scottb.2022]

I just got my Extra class license and now am working on improving my HF antenna set up. Then, probably this winter, I'm going to try to learn CW. Just to see if I can!

[@watersstanton]

Good luck! 73 Peter

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Learning CW - go for it. Expensive new rigs and antennas may come and go but learning Morse is a skill that you can keep and does not lose it's value.

[@batica81]

Just got back home from a Morse code class at my radio club, and have also joined LICW a few months ago. The learning process is challenging but also very enjoyable. Why do it? Well because you can is the best reason for me. Why walk or run if you can get there by car or bus? Why learn to play violin, it is more than 200 years old, yet people still do it. Sure, the convenience that small and cheap transceivers bring is a plus, but main reason, it is very fun to do and has that old school vibe. ..

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. In fact I can also play the violin! 73 Peter

[@jamesgoacher1606]

I have only passed the 5wpm test just before they morse requirement was removed and I am glad I did.

[@watersstanton]

Well done. 73 Peter

[@redstickham6394]

When I originally got licensed, I had to do the 5WPM test for Novice and when I upgraded to General, I passed the 13WPM test, but hit a brick wall at around 17WPM. I upgraded to Extra when the 20WPM was dropped. Even though I'm not very fast at CW with my best probably being around 15WPM once I get warmed up, I still like the mode and after a long absence from it, have come back. You don't have to be code shark to enjoy CW.

[@oldergoy]

When you talked about your test you brought back so many memories. The year you took the test was about the same time as me and my call was G3NEM from Liverpool. Small world I am now 83 call sign V E7BAN and arrived in Canada 1966. Still enjoying CW. 73 John.

[@watersstanton]

Hi John, great to hear from you. Take care and thanks for your support. 73 Peter

[@davidportch8837]

Thanks Peter for another entertaining video...

[@watersstanton]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephensussman-fort5786]

Thank you for an intelligent and thoughtful discourse on CW. I am a long-time CW operator myself, and I agree with everything you said. Even my lovely XYL, not a ham, but very supportive of my radio interests, thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. - Steve, AB2EW

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Steve. Much appreciated. 73 Peter

[@joelaut12]

Great commentary!

[@watersstanton]

Thanks!

[@darylnd]

I'm a new ham. I got my USA General license a little over a year ago, Technician a few months before that. I promised myself, for no particular reason, that I'd learn Morse code before taking the Amateur Extra exam. As part of my Morse studies, I've recently acquired a British military WT8 No.2 Mk. III key. 73 de KN6NPZ, San Jose, California.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks fir sharing thar. 83 Peter

[@bishop.johnnjenga2231]

i am follow you you have a great video God bless you

[@MedusalObligation]

I've got a coworker who can send and rcv code faster than I can. He has been doing it a long time. However, we are the ONLY two in the company who can. We use it to clandestinely chat in meetings and from cubicle to cubicle. Someday, someone else is going to learn and we will be in trouble!

[@watersstanton]

Interesting.73 Peter

[@kengrey7263]

I have been a CW operator for over 55 years and I use it because I enjoy it. It only accounts for 35% of my QSOs, the rest being phone (mainly SSB). One observation is that when the bands appear dead in the phone section there is nearly always some CW activity. It is obviously still popular enough to keep key/paddle manufacturers like Vibroplex busy.

[@stevepatterson2290]

I love it. I don't even have a hand mike hooked up

[@BartAnderson_writer]

Hadn't done Morse sincr 1966 when I got my General License (US). Last year I started again and was surprised how quickly it came back.

[@watersstanton]

Well done and welcome back. 73 Peter

[@ehayes5217]

u make some really good points abt "WHY" CW, all of which are truly valid reasons; for me at least, I especially like the higher (QRQ) speeds & enjoy ragchewing when QRQ; & as u said, lotsa' info can be exchanged in a very short time!🤓🇺🇸

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks for your input and support. 73 Peter

[@williamshaw8740]

Peter, thank you for putting the case for CW ! I have no desire whatsoever to use FT8. Some FT8 users think it is a high power mode which it is clearly not. I love CW and just need to get "copy in my head" sorted out and being able to use "paddles". I worry that if everyone uses FT8 and leaves wide-open band space, the authorities could sell off our bands. Thanks again for your informative videos

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing and I am sure many will agree.

[@donalfinn4205]

Morse is king!☘️👍

[@MrTPF1]

I'm not that good at the code, but I told one of my sons that if I ever become paralyzed or incapacitated, make sure you put my keyer and paddle near my hand so that with minimal movements I can communicate!

[@madcarew5168]

Still learning and spured on by the phrase ..Morse will always(mostly) get through!!

[@MM-kt0mm]

I believe strongly in the inherent value of (at least) a minimal morse code requirement. Not only did shared knowledge of morse code make communications possible between prisoners at the 'Hanoi Hilton' during the Vietnam war, the only SOS that I ever handled was via morse code. A dismasted sailing yacht in the Caribbean was able to use wires in their broken radio microphone to send morse as an intermittant carrier signal on the 20m phone band. Responding via phone, I relayed with the Coast Guard until the search and rescue helicopter sighted the yacht. Without morse code, they would have found it much more difficult (or nearly impossible) to contact help.

[@watersstanton]

Wow interesting sruff. Thanks. Peter

[@mu0chn]

The first time I took the test I crashed and burned. If it was just sending I would of passed. So my plan of being a GU0 went out of the window. My problem was I used a computer for practice, when I did more on air listening and I started to make sense of what was being sent it got easier. I was happy with the old system, I still think people should learn it. Handy for recognising beacons.

[@kestutisabarius2472]

Learned myself at the beginning of 1977. If keying waveform is soft (~10 - 15 ms, both rise and fall) or little less for high speed - it sounds like music. 🙂 73, LY2BGR

[@kestutisabarius2472]

CW Keying Wave Forms: ************************* --[__]-- Rectangle - Worst, Most Clicking --(__}-- Exponential - Better, Less Clicking --{__}-- Gauss - The Best ***** Without Any Clicks 😀 73, LY2BGR

[@kestutisabarius2472]

--[~]-- Rectangle Distorted, Worse Than Rectangle ---- Symmetrical Trapezoid, Between Exponential & Gauss 😀 73, LY2BGR

[@stuartlee8041]

Never interested in CW, but I wanted an A licence, so I learned and practiced for 3 months, passed the test in 1988, the passage to the HF bands wasn't so easy in those days.

[@andye2005]

I agree with most of that.. 30 plus years ago I passed the CW test, the reason was twofold. You had to pass the CW test to use the shortwave sections of the Amateur bands. But the main reason was to shut up a very good friend, sadly now silent key - who kept annoying me to take the test if I wanted the G0 version of my G8 call. At that time you could not "reserve a callsign and they were issued in strict sequence. So I passed the test after a little work. I'm quite proud to say that I have made the grand total of zero CW contacts since then. I have no particular interest in the mode. However when I hear the rare station sending good CW I can still copy the blasted stuff - you really don't forget it. Rather like playing the Violin, which I also used to be able to play, but if I ever picked up a Violin again I suspect that the output would be pretty dreadful 🙂 Now that the requirement for CW has been removed in the UK and in many other places there is really little point to it. You will hear that some people say it should be mandatory still... Same with many other things. Totally wrong of course, and one sure way to annoy me. It's like saying that you should be able to program a computer before being allowed to use facebook - Mmmm! maybe that's not such a bad idea 🙂 But the comment you make "because you can" is what is now what is now so important. You can use CW now because you want to, or your enjoy it - nothing else really matters. So do use it and enjoy it if that's what you want. Just don't get upset if others don't like it. The same an be said for many modes. FT8, SSTC RTTY or Contests and so on. Just enjoy whatever aspect of the hobby that interests you.. Andy

[@georgebodley8068]

Samuel f b Morse took the credit for the work by Alfred Vail who finalised the code though people still say Morse was the actual inventor either way it's an art form that I like using . Where phone contacts fail CW usually gets through that's the beauty of it

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. 73 Peter

[@brian.7966]

we had to learn and pass the CW to use the HF bands unlike today, it's given away.

[@mplmpl7780]

Not a bad thing ,It gets more people involved and if like me I now want to learn it.

[@bassangler73]

To me its like back in the 80's when most bands actually played their own instruments instead of sampling others previously written music like they do today...CW is something that I think is crucial to learn or it will become a lost art just like playing a musical instrument is becoming today. .

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing.

[@ivandubinsky1857]

I work CW because I find it enjoyable...simple as that.

[@watersstanton]

The best reason of all. 73 Peter

[@DannerPlace]

It's a matter of pride as well.

[@m0aze611]

I’m not surprised Morse is popular, for me it’s fantastic and I only wish I was more confident/proficient in using it. I wish there were more outlets that allow more to take up this aspect of the hobby. 5 watts on CW is equiv to 100 watts SSB., good for us QRP guys. Great vid Peter.

[@michelsinnott]

I have more satisfaction in completing a CW QSO then doing one on FT8 must be because of the skil involved. Still do straight key.

[@watersstanton]

Agreed

[@dannybleachflower8628]

I always thought John Thaw invented it

[@althepal6818]

What is the point of learning...

[@user-du5pf3qs7u]

Добрый день. Осваиваю новые методы борьбы с русскими окупантами. Покачто работаю с аор мк3 8200. Есть ли с ним особый алгоритм работы?

[@ON6KE]

Why are you trying to sell Morse? It'll only create more LIDS, tuner-uppers deliberate or not on DX frequenties, many unaware they're to and how to operate split, some asking the split offset, you name it. Those who are interested in Morse know for themselves they want to join the brotherhood, they don't need a KZbin vid to convince them. Gust ON6KE

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

I kind of understand what you mean. However, there are lids on SSB and other popular digital modes. My view is that all hams should employ good operating practice and encourage other fellow hams to employ good operating practice on all modes. Those of us enlightened to the benefits of CW should share the gift kindly and wisely with our fellow hams to maintain and promote good CW operation.

[@wudbcarmodeller2713]

The most rewarding thing I've done since gaining my call sign over 20 years ago. It just takes some time and persistence. De VK2GW.