SKCC Library of Morse Links

Telegraph History - This site contains several articles that focus on U.S. Telegraph-History. The majority of these articles first appeared in the "Key and Telegraph" column of "The AWA Journal," the quarterly magazine of the Antique Wireless Association.

CGCWOA - The Coast Guard CW Operators Association (CGCWOA) is a membership organization comprised primarily of former members of the United States Coast Guard who held the enlisted rating of Radioman (RM) or Telecommunications Specialist (TC), and who employed International Morse Code (CW) in their routine communications duties on Coast Guard cutters and at shore stations.

Telegraph, Scientific Instrument & Radio Museums - These are no-frills museums designed for rapid and easy searching and downloading to facilitate research by serious collectors and historians but accessible to anyone who is interested in telegraph and scientific instruments.

Morse Telegraph Club - The Morse Telegraph Club is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the perpetuation of the knowledge and traditions of telegraphy.

U.S. Marconi Museum - A site dedicated to the life and accomplishments of Guglielmo Marconi, the "Father of Radio."

Maritime Radio Historical Society - A collection of documents and photographs related to Maritime radio. Presents transcripts from the logs of ship-to-shore operator Jeffrey Herman, including the SOS call of the Panama Trader before she broke in two and sank with all hands on board.

An Introduction to CW - - Walt Fair, Jr., W5ALT, page on the history of Morse Code; affectionately referred to by ham's as "cw".

The Art and Skill of Radio Telegraphy - The much sought after publication for "...Learning, using, mastering and enjoying the International Morse code as a means of communication." <PDF>

RadioTelegraphy.net - The single source for radiotelegraphy information and equipment.

A Beginner's Guide to Making CW Contacts - A great collection of how-to info on making CW contacts. Includes tips for better operating; lists of pro-signs and other special symbols; operating tips and more.

The Telegraph Office - A tribute to Morse Telegraphy and Resource for Wire and Wireless Telegraphy.

Amateur Radio Education Website - Home to Ham and Morse Academy you'll find plenty of resources to help you improve your CW and prepare for that ticket upgrade.

Morse Codes - On this page you'll find the original code as developed by Morse; and the International, Russian, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Japanese, Korean and US Navy Morse codes.

Ham-related Search Utilities

U.S. Amateur Radio Callsign Lookups - Hosted by the University of Arkansas, this search engine offers searches of the FCC ULS by name, call, city, state, etc.

Where Are All the Hams? - This call search utility provides a map showing the location of hams by full or partial zip-code, city, etc. Also offers satellite images of the selected location.

K1IW Amateur Repeater and Broadcast Transmitters Database Websearch - Not really a CW related link, this page allows you to specify which frequencies (2m and above) to search on inorder to discover what repeaters are covering which areas of the country.

Telegraph Keys

Glass Arm - First published in 73 Magazine, this article provides tips, insights and exercises for adjusting the straight key and avoiding the dreaded telegraphers "glass arm".

The Story of the SCHURR Key - Interesting short history on the development of the Schurr Wabbler key. Photograph of the key is here.

Sparks Telegraph Key Review - Telegraph Keys possess both historical value as well as aesthetic appeal. As more keys find their way to collectors, fewer are available for the rest of us to see. This display and the links provided will hopefully allow all who wish to enjoy seeing them.

Schlagger Keys - Made by Gerhard Schurr, DH2SAA.

SKCC Straight Key - This key is the flagship of SKCC. A finely crafted key sold by MorseExpress.

Borrow a Key - Adding a telegraph key to your amateur radio station is easy enough--it's finding the right style and type of key that's the hardest. SKCC offers members an opportunity to borrow different types of keys to test drive before making a purchase. Browse our collection of available keys in the SKCC Key Library. Visit our forum for more details.

Learning & Practicing Morse Code

A Fully Automatic Morse Code Teaching Machine - First described in a May 1977 QST article of the same name, this program teaches you to receive Morse code. It starts with a few letters and adds more when it sees that you are ready. Available for many different computer platforms.

CryptoKids - While Morse is no longer a requirement for an amateur radio license, the National Security Agency (NSA) is looking to encourage young people to learn Morse. This NSA website offers tools and games for young people to learn the code. Click on "Operation Dit Dah" to begin learning Morse.

Beginner's Guide to Making CW Contacts, by WB8FSV - Jack Wagoner's extensive guide detailing every aspect of making, logging and enjoying that first cw contact. Excellent resource!

Just Learn Morse Code - Just Learn Morse Code is designed to make it easy to learn Morse code, as well as improve the skills of those who already know the code.

Morse Runner - This contest simulator by VE3NEA will help you get up to speed on working CW contests.

The Koch Method for Learning Morse Code - This is the G4FON Morse Trainer that will help you learn code at the speed you wish to copy at. To create mp3 practice files to take with you, you'll need the .dll file found here.

AC6V's Morse Code Trainers - Looking for a program/method for learning the code or improving your sending/copy? If you can't find what you're looking for here, you won't find it anywhere!

K7QO Code Course - This is the much sought after K7QO morse code training program. This link will download the zip file for you to use to create a CD for loading the software on your computer. You'll also find a large selection of lessons to use with the program here.

W1AW's Practice Code Files - Missed the live broadcast? No problem. Download these files and enjoy some W1AW code practice (from 5 to 40 WPM)

AA9PW's Morse Code Practice Page - This page will generate morse code consisting of groups of random characters and there are 25 characters per group (5 sets of 5 characters). You can pick which group of characters you wish to be tested on: the alphabet, the numbers or punctuation (including pro-signs) or all three.

Learn CW Using the Koch Method - Using a code training method devised by the German psychologist Ludwig Koch some 60 years ago, you will progress as quickly as you possibly can, with ample reinforcement and little frustration.

PodShow.com - Got an iPod? Miss hearing CW at work or when traveling? Download lot's of great CW PodCasts and take CW with you!

Practice Files and CW Software

Radio Officers Recordings - An interesting collection of transmission recordings spanning nearly 70 years. Most files are mp3 format. Some are zipped to reduce download times. Well worth the time exploring.

Hams and X Software for the Amateur Radio Operators - A comprehensive collection of ham radio software for MacOS X. Everything from antenna design/modeling, to audio mixing, connecting devices, and more make this a must bookmark page for Mac users.

Scanner Recorder - Here's a great little utility for those who would like to record their CW QSO's. Many SKCCer's use recording devices/software to capture a copy of their QSO's for later review. It's also a great way to keep that rare DX contact to enjoy over and over again.

RufzXP - RufzXP is an excellent training software for improving code speed and CW practice, particularly (ultra) high speed memory copying of true amateur radio calls. You can download the software here.

HamCap 1.5 - An essential piece of software for your shack. This software calculates and displays real-time propagation predictions based on your location. The software is easy to use and has a nice map presentation. You'll also need this ITS software to complete the installation.

G4ILO's Shack - Lot's of great topics, articles and reviews about ham radio including a great Morse code generator.

CWCom - This program allows users to transmit and receive CW over a LAN or the Internet. This is a great utility for new-comers to CW who want to brush-up on their CW before hitting the airwaves. Follow this link for the documentation.

CW Decoder - Give your fist a rest and let your fingers do the talking! This program allows CW operators to copy CW code with a computer. The decoded CW is displayed as text or can generate a side tone. The program also allows for keying a transmitter from the keyboard with full CW break-in operation.

Operator and Technical Aids

QsoNet Virtual Ionosphere For Amateur Radio - QsoNet uses the internet to receive audio signals from a ham radio transmitting station, then instantly reflects the audio back to all stations listening on that frequency. There is no RF. Everything is done over the internet. The result is a simulated ionosphere for worldwide amateur radio communication. Stations can use either voice or CW modulation.

Portable In Paradise: Cruise Ship DX-ing - Fascinating article about N6TST's adventures operating aboard a cruise-liner in the Pacific.

Making the Most of Your Amateur Radio Experience - This 8 page PDF document from the ARRL offers tips and insights for gaining the greatest pleasure from working HF. Included are suggestions for HF equipment; information about the VE Testing process; 10 reasons to use CW; award programs and much more. Also included is the revised band plan suitable for printing.

QTH Locator With Google Maps - Can't find your exact grid designation? No problem! This utility, provided by The DXZone, will help you pin-point your exact grid square designation--right down to your house. First, find your state then drill down until you find your exact location on the map. Click on it and your grid designation will appear. Drill down far enough and Google maps may even show your house! Very nice utility!

How To Zero Beat A Modern Transceiver - Making sure you are zero-beat to the station you're trying to reach is the first step in good CW practice. This page includes both written and a media demonstration of the steps necessary for zero-beating your radio to a contact's frequency.

80m CW Net Matrix - Interested in learning how to handle National Traffic System (NTS) message traffic but don't know where to start? This matrix of CW traffic nets lists the dates, times and frequencies, in calendar format, of amateur radio's most popular CW traffic nets.

Converting Zulu (UTC) to Local Time - Tired of trying to figure out Zulu, UTC and Coordinated Universal Time? This simple chart will help you convert Zulu time to your local time.

How To Date Your Vibroplex - Somewhere along the line the Vibroplex production records were lost or discarded. Starting in 1990 a list of more than 3000 Vibroplexes, their serial numbers, and the date they were purchased, if known were recorded. This list of serial numbers and production years can help narrow down your key's date of manufacuture.

How To Adjust Your Vibroplex - Not sure what all those thumb-screws do on your bug? Not to worry! Vibroplex has a very nice document that will walk you through how to adjust your key for optimum performance.

Logging Programs - AC6V's collection of nearly 50 different logging programs. Contest, DX, shortwave, contact logging and more for DOS and Windows.

Adjusting Straight Keys, Paddles, & Bugs - These instructions use simple, generally familiar examples of equipment types and are designed to help you find the adjustment that suits you best. By N1FN.

Iambic Keying, Debunking the Myth - Everything you wanted to know about iambic keying techniques but were afraid to ask. (in PDF format)

Iambic Sending - Chuck Adams', K5FO, proven techniques for learning/improving the use of your iambic key. (in PDF format)

CW Operating Aids - From AC6V this page lists all the prosigns, abbreviations and symbols used in CW communication. Nice collection of CW related info.

US Marine Corps Radio Operator's Handbook - This 147 page PDF document details many aspects of radio operation including antennas, interference, operations under adverse conditions and more. A great resource.

US Marine Corps Antenna Handbook - This 192 page PDF is a companion guide to the Operator's Handbook

U.S.Navy NEETS Training Program - Specific to the Navy yet filled with a wealth of useful information for radio operator's.

Common CW Abbreviations - This page lists the most common CW abbreviations and a whole lot more!

Java Calculators for Amateur Radio Experimenters - Stop fumbling through pages of technical manuals and operating guides looking for the right formula. This site hosts the most used common (and not so common) electrical formulas.

How Far Is It? - This service uses data from the US Census and a supplementary list of cities around the world to find the latitude and longitude of two places, and then calculates the distance between them (as the crow flies). It also provides a map showing the two places, using the Xerox PARC Map Server.

Propagation Information - This page contains a dynamic collection of propagation information gathered from many different sources. This data is extremely useful for ham radio operators and shortwave listeners.

Ionospheric X-Ray Absorption - Nearly real-time Ionospheric maps showing the level of radio wave absorption over the 5mhz to 30mhz radio spectrum due to X-Ray radiation.

Maximum Useable Frequency Maps - Recent high-resolution map of Maximum Usable Frequencies (MUFs) for 3,000 kilometer radio signal paths. It is also a map showing the current location of the auroral ovals, the sunrise/sunset terminator and the regions of the world where the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon (whichestimates the gray-line corridor where HF propagation is usually enhanced).

Worldwide Tropospheric Ducting Forecasts - For those who enjoy working cw on 2m, 70cm and above, these frequently updated maps are an indispensable resource.

Solar Activity and HF Propagation - Hosted by Kansas State University this site provides links to current HFpropagation info from a wide variety of sources.

Propagation - Everything you ever wanted to know about propagation but were afraid to ask are offered on the ARRL propagation info page.

Daily Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive - Here you will find links to current daily LF/MF/HF frequency radio propagation outlook and an archive of outlooks back to 2001 and some 160 meter propagation theory notes. You will also find many website links to solar, space weather and geomagnetic data, current solar, space weather and geomagnetic data and also data archived back to 2001.

DX-Listeners' Club - This page posts information regarding current Solar activity.

SpotCollector - Besides identifying immediately-needed stations, SpotCollector can reveal a DX-station's operating patterns, increasing your ability to be at the right frequency at the right time.

DX Cluster List - An extensive list of DX-clusters accessible via Telnet.

K3UK Cluster - This is the cluster that many SKCC members use to spot/contact other members. (This link automatically opens a Telnet session)

Other CW Clubs & Miscellaneous

NAQCC North American QRP CW Club - Extreme fun for the QRP enthusiasts. Free Membership!

FISTS - The quintessential CW Ops group.

signmanofohio.com - Sign Man of Ohio is the Official SKCC Badge Supplier.

cafepress.com/skcc - Looking for SKCC merchandise? Get your K2A coffee mugs here.

CW Ringtones - You're gonna love this! Create your own morse code ringtone for use on your cell-phone. Simply type in the message you want played when the phone rings and the morse ringtone generator creates the ringtone. Many types and models of phone supported. Very Cool!

CheapQSLs.com - Looking for QSL cards? Large selection and many options here.

RadioQTH.com - Another source for QSL cards, this site creates the card on-line and converts it to a PDF file you save locally for printing your own.

UX5UO Print World of QSL's - Still another source for quality QSL cards.

WA5KUB.com - Streaming video from WA5KUB as he travels the country checking out the most popular ham fests.

Save 500 kHz! - Just as it says. A page devoted to the history and use of Maritime CW.

N4MC's Vanity HQ - Have an old call sticking in your head but can't remember who it belonged to? Here's the place to go for everything vanity call related.

Reciprocal Links

We're collecting links to other web sites that link to SKCC. As we become aware of others we'll list them here.

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