top_banner (12K)
SITE CONTENT
Home
Awards
Become A Member
Challenges
Contests/Sprints
CW Assistance
    Koch/Farnsworth
    Practice Apps
    Practice Methods
    Learning Aids
    Sending
    Increasing Speed
    E-mail Support
    CW Groups
    Practice Buddies
    Calling CQ
    Making A QSO
    Abbreviations
    Q Signals
    RST System
CW Nets
QSO Parties
FAQ's/Info
Member List
Newsletter
Pictures
QRP Works
>>> Contact Us <<<


Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional

Valid CSS
CW Practice Programs

Information on this page is provided by Brion VE3FUJ. Contact Brion at pix_email_ve3fuj (1K) with any questions or comments.

When it comes to practicing CW by oneself, one is faced with a problem, Being by oneself is in itself a handicap. One's Cw sending always sounds perfect on the oscillator or side-tone. That, however is not reality, it is not what one sounds like to others, by a long shot, and most Hams ( if not all) are unwilling to give a truly honest opinion, of fear of offending. Be honest with yourself and admit it. To demonstrate what I mean, try Taping yourself on a Tape-deck or Digital Recorder, you'll get a surprise.

The Digital Recorder, I'm told, may be sensitive to Radio Energy, so read the Instructions before bringing it to the shack.

For code practice there are several free Programs on the Internet, My favorites are " G4FON " and " LCWO " Learn CW Online. There are others as mentioned in another CW help section. Google G4FON and/or LCWO and click on the appropriate line, G4FON must be installed in your Computer, installation instructions are there. It can be configured to just about anything one would wish, including levels of fading, levels of background noise, Chirp, pitch dither, unequal spacing of characters, ( Speed dither ) you name it. It also have text file, common words, and real QSO condition. From a low 15 WPM to a high of 80 WPM, desirable word speed with a slower overall speed. Both G4FON & LCWO sports the " Koch Method ". LCWO has word practice, call sign practice and short sentences, with a " what was sent " answer for comparison. It also has Call sign training and Text conversion. Speeds are from 5 WPM to a staggering 150 WPM with variable over all speed. LCWO requires a registration and password.

Further more, I strive to emulate the Keyer with my straight Key in the hopes that someone would have a hard time telling the difference. I often tape my memory Keyer then follow with a straight Key, then play it back to compare the two. I have a way to go yet.

I hope this will help someone who feel they may need a little help.