New General

[KC9ACF]

My Sign is KC9ACF, handles is Daniel. I am a Tech no code and have got the itch to get my General with C/W. I have no idea how to start out. Can someone suggest books/tapes to sudy for both tests?

Thanks
73

KC9ACF

[KC0ODY]

I recommend the ARRL's General Class license study manual-- you can get them from many ham stores online, or from the ARRL's website at: http://www.arrl.org/catalog/lm/. You can also obtain the ARRL's "Your Introduction to Morse Code" CDs from the same website. These two CDs will give you everything you need to prepare for your code exam.

If you want more practice in code before you take your code test (not a bad idea) then try downloading the FREE G4FON's code trainer software here: http://www.qsl.net/g4fon/CW%20Trainer.htm . This is excellent software-- you can customize it for speed, tone, pitch, and you can even have the software toss in some static and interference in the background to simulate real on-the-air conversations. The software will send random characters, which is better than listening to the same old tapes or CDs over and over again (you want to learn the code not by memorization, but by the sound of each character).

One last piece of advice-- don't worry if you don't pick up the code real quickly-- on the other hand, you may well learn in a matter of days and/or weeks. Everyone learns the code at their own pace. Just keep practicing at least 1/2 hour per day, more if possible, and you should have no problems with the exam. Five WPM is really pretty slow and once you get on the air and start using code, your speed will go up quickly.

Good luck!

Jackie

[K6TBR]

Yes! I had the same itch just over 2 yrs ago! That 'itch' is what will get you your Gen., believe it or not. The amount of 'itch' is directly proportional to the effort you'll make to get it done, and the greater your effort, the *faster* you'll get it done.

Jump all over "CW", "Morse Code", and such on the Internet and you'll be amazed at all the different resources available to you, not only to buy and use, but inspirational websites dedicated to code! My personal quest to master the code has made me a CW operator primarily on HF, and I can now QSO at around 20 wpm on good nights!!!

It's true, once you memorize what the characters are by the sounds of them, use them at every opportunity, practice sending by sending any signs you see, etc., you'll increase your speed to over 10wpm in less than 3mos almost guaranteed!!!  Good luck OM, and hope to catch you on HF - CW!!

73, -Mike

[AE0Z]

Check out programs like MorseMail, CWCom, or G4FON's Koch Trainer.  Perhaps I have those in the wrong order .. the Koch Trainer will help you learn the code, and Morse Mail will give you a way to practice receiving AND sending.

http://www.qsl.net/g4fon/CW Trainer.htm
http://www.seanet.com/~harrypy/MorseMail/
http://www.mrx.com.au/d_cwcom.htm

I will be happy to provide assistance in using any of these programs.

When you have passed your test, contact FISTS and they will set you up with a code buddy so you can get some on-the-air practice and build your speed up.

http://www.fists.org

Hope this helps!

Howard Parks, AB9FH
1 Peter 4:10