DE is like other unnecessary prosigns K, AR etc. All of these are optional in CW and phone QSOs.

Since you are hearing the 746 carrier, minus the beat note, you can still check the range of the new antenna.

The CW "note" is supplied by bfo in the receiver, not the transmitter.

You might be thinking of the "modulated CW" mode. In this mode, which used to be common on 2 meters, the transmitter sends an AM modulated carrier of a single tone, usually around 700 Hz. This can be picked up by a receiver in the AM mode. The 746 does not support this mode.

There is one thing positive that came from my experience. I always heard the code sent perfectly. So when I finally used a key, I had an excellent frame of reference and knew what my sending should sound like, and I could imitate it.

However, I'm much older than 13 now, and I've noticed that my old keyer sure makes a lot of mistakes these days!!

OK. Now let me tell what is really the "worst" way to learn code. The way I learned it at age 13...

I heard on my radio what sounded like a repetitive Morse code message. I reasoned that I could decode it by writing down the first character's dashes and dots, then the second, and so on as the message repeated. Then I looked up the Morse code in my Scout handbook and wrote the letters and numbers that matched my dashes and dots. It took a while. The message was "de wid26 k." It made no sense!

Later I found more of these things from WCC WSL, etc. I didn't realize it, but I was learning most of the alphabet and numbers at 18 WPM and was listening to perfectly-sent Morse.. Then I found NSS and copied what I could and looked up the characters that I was missing until I could copy their daily one-hour five-character group broadcasts solid.

I didn't own a key. The first time I sent code was at the FCC exam.

If there is a "worse" way to learn code, I would like to hear it. You have to remember that I did all that just for the heck of it - not to pass some exam. I think there is a big difference. One is fun, the other isn't.

73, Jim W4YA

WB2WIK: I appreciate the fact that you have helped many learn the code. But, I don't understand if one has trouble copying a certain letter, how can he send it properly? How can sending a letter teach him how to copy it?

I know your experience demonstrates that sending code helps copying it, but I just don't understand why this is so.

It's my problem, not yours.

73,
Jim W4YA

Something you might try, after doing some studying, is take the test and see what gives you the most trouble.

There are some websites that have sample questions.

There are some equations that deal with designing RF chokes. But if you are not doing that, they are not worth worrying about now.

For general knowledge, "Algebra For Dummies" and "Algebra For Everyman" are good sources that should be available in your library.

Your question is a little confusing. If you are getting the letters, forget about spaces.

Also, you are starting off right if your initial speed is 18 WPM. Keep at that speed and don't worry about spaces. It takes just as long to learn the code at 18 WPM as it would take at 5 WPM.

73, Jim W4YA

Gene,

OK, now I understand your concern. I thought that you and others are worried about DXCC credit for that DXpedition, in which case a paper QSL would not be necessary.

I assume that at some time in the future, ARRL will run the DXCC program solely from LOTW.

73, Jim W4YA

TX5C posted his log to LOTW 2 months ago. What's the problem?

Try N1MM

A lot of guys in my high-school radio club in 1954 were getting their FCC commercial tickets. So I studied Kaufman's Q&A Manual and passed the 2nd Class Telegraph exam which included a 20WPM code test. I think it was plain language.

The FCC examiner talked me into taking the Extra exam, which he said was EXACTLY the same questions as the 2nd Telegraph. It was indeed the same test, and I didn't have to take the code test again.

to WB2WIK/6::

I guess I would have to agree with you, especially these days with computer generated code practice.  I can remember when two guys would learn the code by sending to each other. You couldn't understand either one of them when they finally got on the air. But they could understand each other quite well.

73, Jim W4YA

You can learn Morse code at ANY initial speed. 20WPM is an excellent choice. There is no reason to start at a very slow speed and "work your way up" to 20 WPM.

My suggestion is to first learn to COPY at 20WPM, then learn how to SEND at 20 WPM.

73, Jim W4YA

In 1976 I had to furnish proof to the FCC that I was licensed in May 1951. You are correct when you say the FCC has no records. They were destroyed when they moved to Gettysburg.

There is a guy who has a complete set of call books, but I can't recall his call. W3HF???

You might try to contact someone who has a call sign near yours and ask them.

Why would anybody answer a call 2 or 3 kHz off frequency? It doesn't make sense to take up 3 kHz for a CW QSO! 500 Hz is too much on a crowded band.