Finally! My first try was at 10-27-2010. 1322 attempts later I’m arrived at lesson 40 of the 40 lessons in total at Learning CW Online website of DJ1YFK. This is how long it can take if you don’t practice every day. Sometimes I even abandoned the training for months, thinking I’ll never learn the code. But today I reached a milestone: the last lesson!
I’m learning Morse code with the Koch method at a character speed of 15 words per minute and an effective speed of 6 words per minute. So now I know all important characters at this speed I’ll continue training on lcwo.net to gain better actual speed. Also I start training copying call signs with Morse Runner which I tried a few times before and I’m now able to do runs. And….. last but the most important: I’m gonna make real contacts on air! Only made CW-contacts so far with Digital Master 780, so they don’t really count.
My target is to put away the microphone and only make contacts in Morse code. Hopefully at speeds between 20 and 25 wpm. Maybe even participate in contests with Morse code. I’ve somehow got the idea I’m half way now. Let’s move along!