That may be quite a shock to people who know me but I’m determined that I will use Morse code to make some real QSOs in 2011 and what better way to do it than as part of my QSO365 project.
I’ve never studied Morse code at all but over the years I have picked up most of the letters through identifying beacons and listening to repeater idents but I never got all the letters in my head. Over the last few weeks I’ve been slowly working my way through the alphabet using the Koch method and the Learn CW Online (LCWO) website. I’m still only a short way through them all but I have decided that I’m going to do it and do it properly so I guess this means I’ve just set myself a deadline of December 31st 2011 to have learnt Morse and had a QSO on the wireless using it!
Like you Keith I never had the need to operate on CW, did a quick taster session at our club and had a few slow QSO on 144mhz, never been brave enough to venture onto HF, I guess will have to make the effort this year. Good luck with the project.
When I learned Morse to pass the old 12WPM test to get my ‘A’ licence, it took me 7 months from start to finish. Use as many methods as you can and practice every day. I look forward to working you on the key.