Customer Reviews

Morse Code: The Essential Language

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book may appear somewhat dated, since with its early 90's publication it was written before personal computers had made quite the inroads into taking the pain and frustration out (a lot of it at least) of learning Morse code. It is a solid survey of the code, its origin, history, uses, and how to learn it. Cupled with a shareware CW trainer (such as Morse Academy, SuperMorse, NuMorse, for PC, or MorseTrainer for Mac) it is all you really need to get conversant in code. A good starting point, and a bargain at the price.

I've had this book since first published, and as morse code instruction books go, this is a good one. The history and development of the code, if somewhat abbreviated (this is a slim volume), make it interesting. There is content on alternative dot-dash codes: the old American code, Japanese code and even the prisoner-of-war tap code. The practical advice on which letter groups to learn first, which prosigns (combinations of letters sounded as one long letter for special purposes) are must-knows, and which special characters are useful are all good. The same goes for Q-signals and operating advice for the beginner.

What's dated is the electronics content. I doubt there is any interest whatsoever, for example, on modifying a cassette player so as to add the ability to adjust playback speed. Wonderful stuff when few people had computers with shareware morse code tutors, but times have changed! So also the pages of practice content, which any program will generate for you. Some will even generate practice code from RSS and news feeds. Keys and paddles, keyers, and radios as depicted in this book have moved on. PCs mentioned in the book are IBM AT and XT vintage, along with pictures of 5 1/4" floppies.

Here's the thing, though - if you want to learn the code VERBALLY (i.e., saying the dits and dahs ... NOT "dot" and "dash"), a book like this works quite well! Speaking the code, especially with a partner, is a surprisingly effective way to learn it rapidly.

(the review author is an extra-class licensed amateur radio operator)

Still want more info of the Code ? some history and tips on how to set up a " Straight Key " especially on Straight Key Nights some tips and great info.

Even though the CW exam is no longer administered I myself passed th element 1 it just gives me the CW portion of the band to use.

73

Now that Morse code is no longer required for ham licensing, only those people with a real interest in this historic mode of communication will study it.

Buy it now, before they're all gone.

This book helped me on the history and learing the Morse code. This would help all ages in my oppinion!This book dwfiitaly gets five stars!

I have made approximately 8 book purchases over the last 2 years with no problems,
and this seller is no exception. Pick your price range and select the highest "star rating"
in your price range. Sometimes just paying 2 to 50 cents more will give you a higher star rating.

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J.--- K-.- L.-.. M-- N-. O--- P.--. Q--.-

R.-. S... T- U..- V...- W.-- X-..- Y-.-- Z--..

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this morse code was written by Samuel Morse that's the name
of the man who invented morse code