2025 Marks the 190th Anniversary of the International Morse Code Alphabet
Editor’s note: This post is part of an ongoing series of 101-style articles from OnAllBands addressing the basics of amateur radio as a service to aspiring and new hams.
Ask a hundred ham radio operators about their history sending and receiving Morse code messages and you’ll hear a hundred different stories of missteps and successes, struggles and triumphs.
Some longtime amateur radio operators admit to never getting the hang of Morse code or CW (continuous wave)—the mode used by hams to transmit messages in the short blips (“dits” for dots, “dahs” dashes) that make up the International Morse Code Alphabet.
For others, learning to send and decode these rapid-fire sounds came as easily as falling off a log, or, more applicably, filling out a log. Then there are a handful of enthusiasts who have achieved word-per-minute (WPM) speeds that border on superhuman.
In 2007, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) nixed the Morse code requirement on all ham radio licensing exams. The Technician class requirement of five WPM was eliminated in 1991. These changes were much to the chagrin of operators who feared the lack of incentive to learn the code would relegate CW to the ash heap of communication methods, right along with town criers and messenger pigeons.
Mark, K8MSH, noted in his OnAllBands article, “Ham Radio 101: Help for the Morse Impaired,” that within 72 hours of the FCC’s axing of the CW requirement, requests for study materials from the ARRL doubled—an indication that Morsephobia or CW Aversion Syndrome (maladies we made up for this article) were indeed stumbling blocks to those yearning to earn their first license or upgrade to General or Amateur Extra.
But as Mark Twain might have opined, worries about the death of CW were greatly exaggerated. Incidentally, Twain was born in 1835, the same year Samuel F.B. Morse developed the initial version of the alphabet that bears his name.
Today, as we celebrate the 190th anniversary of the Morse code alphabet, interest in CW continues to find its niche in a digital world that has failed to extinguish the passion of operators who prefer to “QSO Party like it’s 1899” (our apologies to Prince fans).
With growing interest in CW, the first question many ask is: What’s the best way to learn Morse code? While opinions vary on the ideal strategy (e.g., Koch method vs. the more widely touted Farnsworth method), the points below are often cited as solid steps toward mastering the art:
- Practice and Repetition: As Ward, NØAX, points out in “Choosing a CW Key or Paddle: Understanding What’s Available,” learning Morse code for CW operation—like tackling a musical instrument—takes diligence. And while you may not have the time or inclination to fulfill Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000-hours-of-practice rule, the more time you devote to learning Morse code, the greater likelihood of improving your acumen and enjoying it more.
- Listen: Simply memorizing the alphabet and writing down characters in dots and dashes is an exercise in futility. You need to listen to the code in action and learn characters as sounds. As Mark, K8MSH, says, “You’re going to have to actually listen to Morse code if you ever want to learn it.”
- Find a Partner: Having a friend or relative to practice with can provide inspiration as you learn together, and finding a helpful mentor (an Elmer, in ham lingo) with years of CW experience is a huge bonus. Joining an online club that offers helpful resources and folks you can partner with, like the FISTS CW Club or the Straight Key Century Club, is a step in the right direction.
There are several apps and online training courses that can assist you as well. Electronic learning devices, like Vibroplex Code Practice Oscillator Kits, can be economical tools for enhancing your CW skills when you’re on your own.
- Choose the Right Instrument: In the above article, NØAX stresses the importance of choosing a good first key or paddle that’s a comfortable fit for you. Choices like the Vibroplex Original Bug Key may have to wait until you’ve gained sufficient experience.
- Start at Your Own Speed: The quickest way to become frustrated is to engage in lightning-fast contests where you’re driving a Kia Rio against top-fuel dragsters. You can work your way up to more frenzied action but stay in your lane until you’re ready. Monthly contests like the K1USN Slow Speed Test and ARRL Rookie Roundup are great practice for beginning CW operators.
- Relax and have a blast: Like most things in amateur radio, CW is supposed to be fun, so treat the process in this spirit. Enjoy learning a mode that has played a critical role in world history and continues to be embraced in popular culture and the ham radio community. Approach Morse code with this attitude and you’re already halfway there.
- Consult with Experts: To find precisely what you need for a successful plunge into CW, turn to a trusted amateur radio provider like DX Engineering for honest advice and the equipment required to get started.
You’ll find many more tips for beginners who want to take part in CW contests in this two-part OnAllBands article by NØAX.
