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Reviews For: Koch Method CW Trainer for Windows

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : Koch Method CW Trainer for Windows
Reviews: 23MSRP: freeware
Description:
Description: Learn Morse code by the Koch method, which teaches reflexive responses to each Morse character. The software can also add noise and QSB to simulate a real world environment
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.g4fon.co.uk
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00235
WF2O Rating: 2002-08-17
The best way to learn CW Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I think the Koch method combined with this software is the easiest way to learn CW. The discription of the Koch method is true. It avoids the pitfalls of building a lookup table of dots and dashes in the mind, and goes straight to sound recognition.
The software is user friendly, easy to install, and has no unnecessary frills.
KB5RUZ Rating: 2002-06-10
cw, in the real world Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
While I've only been using this program for a short time, I have to say.... It's the closest thing to actual "on the air conditions," bar none! I'm not new to CW, but do have a need to improve my skills. I've tried a couple of other programs, and even with their extra bells & whistles....found them a bit lacking. However, I couldn't put my finger on just what they lacked! After trying this program...it was obvious..... REALISM! This one has it...you can adjust your signal level...and even add some QSB. Who says you can't get something good for free?
KB0NKU Rating: 2002-03-07
software to learn or improve Morse Code Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This program is very nice freeware, written by QRPer, G4FON. QRP requires first-rate CW skills and this software is a good tool to learn them. G4FON has thoughtfully incorporated Koch’s method into a friendly program that has features useful to neophyte amateurs as well as experienced operators wanting to improve their CW skills. The Koch method teaches CW at a minimum speed of 15 wpm, but it starts with only two letters. A new character is added when the student reaches 90% copy accuracy. I preferred the Koch method because it taught me CW at a speed I want to use and it provides a lot of positive feedback as I learned. If I could learn 2 letters at speed, I could learn three, etc.

This software allows the user to select characters sent, speed, tone pitch, session time and display and also QRB, chirp, signal strength level, and background noise level. The characters are sent in strings of varying lengths instead of repetitive strings of five, to better simulate actual words. I have never seen these realistic QSO features in other CW training software, using them after learning the code can only make one a better operator. After all 40 characters have been learned, a button appears that selects any .txt file to be played as CW. The download includes two .txt files of QSOs and N0HFF’s list of 500 most common words. The user can also write unique text files to accommodate special characters or prosigns as needed. On top of all these features, the files for this program are downloaded as a self-extracting file that installs itself on your command. G4FON actively solicits suggestions for improvements and has responded with a couple of updates. He is to be commended for providing and maintaining this useful program.

After trying several CW training programs, I learned CW with this program. I recommend it above all others.