There are the three words that help you to learn Morse code:
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
It’s just like learning to ride a bicycle. It’s far better to learn the Morse symbols by sound, and not sight! It is not a good idea to memorize a written table. Get an experienced Morse operator to send characters to you with an audio oscillator, saying each character after it’s sent. You want to recognize the characters by their sound. Tapes are available which will teach you to recognize the symbols by their sound.
The ideal method to learn Morse is by use of a computer. Morse code training programs are available — see below for one of them.
Learn each character at a speed of about 12 - 14 WPM, with long gaps between characters. The gaps will close as you advance. When you have learned the characters, you can practice from a tape at varying speeds.
Copying random, 5 character groups is good for reinforcing the characters in your mind and finding those that trip you up, but don’t practice only with these. Move on to plain language once you have attained reasonable proficiency. The Morse test is a plain language one, and copying plain language is very different from copying random groups.
Make Morse a part of your daily life. When you walk or drive down the street translate signs into Morse, and sound them under your breath. At home, translate newspaper text into Morse the same way.
Always keep yourself stretched out in your receiving practice. When you get to about 90 percent accuracy at one speed move up a little faster until you can manage accurately at about 6 or 7 words per minute (WPM) for the 5 WPM test . You now have good buffer for the test.
Most people find it easier to print rather than write at first. Avoid anticipating what is coming next. Many mistakes are made during the test by those who wrongly anticipate the following character or word.
Learn sending only after the correct sound of the characters is embedded in your mind. Use a straight key but open up the contacts to a reasonable gap for a start with the key secure and on the edge of the table. Arm at right angles, elbow level with the key. Imagine an axle through your elbow keeping it stationary. Place two fingers on the knob with the thumb underneath. Now send both dots and dashes by pumping your wrist. Don’t send too fast! Make sure your dashes and dots are sent with the correct 3:1 ratio. It is very frustrating trying to read Morse where the dots and dashes are about the same length. And make sure your characters have enough space between them. Running characters together often happens when an operator is trying to send faster than manual dexterity allows.
Finally, remember that Morse operators have their own international CW abbreviations which allow you to communicate easily with those in foreign countries. All CW hams know the basic English words for a good contact and you won’t have accent problems with Morse.
Free teaching software for learning Morse (PC only,
Windows95/98 and above systems) can be downloaded
here. Updated