Learning with tapes/cds

[KC8TTT]

What are good tapes or CDs to learn code with? If anyone was satisfied with one, please tell me!

[K1ZC]

I don't like tapes or CD's because it becomes easy to memorize the tape and not learn the code.  NuMorse Pro is the computer program I used and it is very good.  It comes with a random QSO generator so you are unable to predict what will come next, and the format of the random QSOs is nearly identical to what you will face on the test.

Besides, the computer programs can adapt to drill extra heavily on your weak areas, something tapes cannot do.  If you want something to listen to in the car, some of the programs (including NuMorse Pro) have a feature that allows you to make recordings.  Burning your own CD's is pretty easy these days.

[AB0WH]

I agree with the previous poster, tapes and CDs have can be "dangerous" because you know them by heart pretty soon. But if you insist on them anyway, the ARRL tapes and CDs (see http://www.arrl.org/catalog/) generally get pretty good reviews.

  I myself made very good experience with the MFJ-418 code tutor (http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?prodid=MFJ-418).
Advantage: you can take it everywhere and do not depend on a PC.

  I recommend very much the Koch method for learning the code (can be used with the MFJ-418). There is a nice documentation available for free (pdf file) under http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm that explains the method.

Juerg
AB0WH

[K1ZC]

One other thought.  If you have a CD burner, download the ARRL practice files from the W1AW code test sessions.  Those change every week so no chance of memorizing.

I agree with the previous poster that Koch is the way to go.  By the time I found NuMorse Pro (it has Koch) I had already learned about 1/3 of the code another way so I was kind of hit and miss.  However, those that do use Koch swear by it, not at it.

After reading lots of posts on this topic, the best advice I can give you is to try many different ways of learning.  When you find one that works for you, quit asking for advice and learn the code.  What worked for me, might not work for you.  While we all try to help the new guys, you are the best judge of what works and what doesn't.  

[N6AJR]

go to  http://www.g4fon.co.uk/  and down load his free  soft ware.  there is also a program there you can use to type in on the computer and it scores for you too.  this is the koch method. you start with 2 characters at 20 wpm, thenlisten and copy for 5 minutes.  when you get 90% on the two, add one letter and go again.  when you have all of the 46 numbers, prosigns and letters learned, you know code at 20 wpm, which is useful, and you can pass the 5 wpm test in your sleep..  Ray has made this a great program  73  tom N6AJR