Why use Morse Code (CW)?
Why use Morse Code (CW)?
For some time, a requirement to be proficient in sending and receiving Morse Code (hereafter referred to as CW) at a certain level has not been a requirement of gaining an Amateur Radio Licence in the UK, and indeed many countries around the world.
Some might even have said that CW was a dead or dying skill. However, of late, there has been a resurgence in it.
What happened not that long ago was that you learned CW, as it was part of Amateur Radio. Now people are coming into Amateur Radio because they want to learn and use CW.
The RMS Titanic 1912.
You may remember if you went to school in the UK and are of a certain age, about the sinking of the Ocean Liner RMS Titanic in April 1912. How Jack Phillips, who was one of the two Radio Operators on board, lost his life because he stayed at his station sending Distress messages in CW until the Liner went down.
At the time, I understand that the recognised Distress signal was CQD. I should explain that even now, when you call out for someone to respond to you on Amateur Radio, you make a CQ Call. Therefore, in effect, CQD was “All Stations – Distress”.
John George Phillips “Jack” was the Senior Radio Operator, and he was joined by Harold Bride, the Junior Radio Operator, 25 and 22 years old at the time of the sinking. Both were employees of the Marconi Company, responsible for operating and maintaining the ship’s wireless equipment. On board the RMS Titanic, Owned and operated by the While Star Line.
As the situation on the Liner worsened, it was Harold Bride who suggested they also use the newer distress signal SOS, which had recently been adopted internationally for its simplicity. Which has a very distinctive sound when sent in CW.
CW is put to the test live on TV.
Not too many years ago a segment on the Jay Leno show. Put CW against texting, demonstrating that Morse code, despite its age, could be faster than modern text messaging. In a high-profile “digital duel,” two CW operators were able to send a message faster than a person texting. This occurred despite the fact that the CW operators were sending at a relatively slow pace. In this test, around 25-30 words per minute.
The “Piccolo” system, developed by the Royal Navy during World War II. The system which employed high-speed Morse code (CW) transmissions, but the exact speeds are not publicly documented. The system was designed to send and receive messages at rates significantly faster than manual Morse code operators could achieve, using specialised equipment.
While specific speeds are not readily available, it’s known that the system was designed for rapid communication, likely pushing the limits of what was technologically feasible at the time.
Maybe you want to learn CW?
There are some great resources online. There are also some free courses. I have tried to learn CW a couple of times, and this time I am learning with the CW OPS Academy, which I have found to be excellent and would 100% recommend.
https://learnmorsecode.org/ Discover the Art of Morse Code – you will find some great tools and tips on this site and a number of excellent videos produced by Mike (N4FFF) and Becky (N4BKY)
https://cwops.org/cw-academy/ CW OPS Academy.
Can’t wait, I want to get started now. Why not download the “Morse Mania App” https://dong.digital/morsemania/
Set your practice tool to 25-30 WPM to train your ear to recognise the sound of each letter.
You might also want to check out VBand and Vale.
Both of which allow you to connect a CW Key or paddle to your computer to allow you to send CW. For the GitHub site for Vale, please visit here.
Getting Licensed
To legally transmit on amateur radio frequencies, you’ll need an Amateur Radio license. The good news is that getting licensed is easier than you might think!
There are three license classes (Foundation, Intermediate and Full). However, you only need the Foundation license to get started with CW (Morse code).
Why not visit https://rsgb.org/main/clubs-training/for-students/foundation/
You can learn and take your exam online, and you will find details in the above link. Learning it online is all very well, and most people find they need practical support.
Which is where your local Radio Society or Club comes in. You meet like-minded people who are only too happy to help and assist you.
We love to see you, but if you are not local, here is a link to a Club Finder. https://rsgb.org/main/clubs/club-finder/
If you haven’t worked it out yet. Why use Morse Code (CW)? – Answer “Because it’s Fun!”
