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December 02 2008

Morse Code: Certificate of Competency.

Morse Code: Certificate of Competency. (As amended at the Regional Council meeting on 10th January 2009)

This document outlines proposals for the issue of an RSGB Certificate of Competency for Morse code operation.

1. Introduction

1.1 The intention of the proposed Certificate of Competency is to provide a form of recognition for those who wish to have something to record their achievement in learning Morse code. It is not intended that it should be a national standard of proficiency similar to the license examinations. It can fairly be compared with many other awards in the hobby which some enjoy and others don’t see the need for. The proposed Morse certificate is no different – some will wish to obtain the award and some wont. In the same vein some clubs will embrace the idea and others will not.

1.2 International recognition is not an aspiration of the initial scheme but if that developed later in a non-contentious manner that could be a clear additional benefit for some (provided that it was not abused to gain a higher class of licence overseas than was held here in the UK).

2. Training

2.1 This document does not intend to be prescriptive about the method of training to be used in achieving the Certificate. There are numerous methods of learning the Code, and it is a personal choice as to the method used. Instructors and students will have their preferences that suit their individual teaching and learning styles. No written rules can be made, but some guidelines are suggested in the Appendix to this document prepared by GB2CW coordinator, Roger Cooke G3LDI.

2.2 There is more comprehensive information which adds to and builds on this Appendix in Morse Code for Radio Amateurs by Roger Cooke G3LDI published by the RSGB. This should supplement individual or group training at Clubs; and (ideally) be further supported by use of an active and well promoted GB2CW broadcast schedule.

3. The Morse Test (Certificate of Competency).

3.1 The lowest speed for which the Certificate will be issued is 5 wpm. This has been chosen as the threshold to encourage learning the Code, and as a step towards inspiring and achieving confidence and moving forward to higher speeds. It is specifically designed for those who are most comfortable with this rate of progress.

3.2 There will, however, be no barrier to those who wish to enter the scheme at a higher level of (say) 12 wpm.

3.3 The initial Certificate of Competency Morse Test will therefore:

• be at a speed of 5 wpm
• require receiving and sending text, including some punctuation, for 3 minutes with no more than three uncorrected errors; and
• include some figure groups (receiving and sending).

3.4 Success in this Test will merit issuing the Certificate of Competency, after which endorsements (or a further certificate) can be obtained at 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wpm. To obtain an endorsement (or new certificate) further Tests will additionally include:

• showing receiving and sending proficiency in a basic rubber-stamp type QSO.

3.5 For those who wish to commence at a higher speed the initial Test will:

• require receiving and sending text, including some punctuation, for 3 minutes with no more than three uncorrected errors
• include some figure groups (receiving and sending); and
• showing receiving and sending proficiency in a basic rubber-stamp type QSO.

3.6 A requirement of every Test taken (regardless of speed) will be that all sending must be pre-recorded at guaranteed speeds to ensure integrity of the testing process and thus prevent appeals in this regard.

3.7 Any Test may be taken using equipment chosen by the candidate and appropriate for the speed being examined including straight keys, paddles, bugs and semi automatic keys etc.

4. Test Structure.

The structure will be that:

• Tests will be conducted under the auspices of any RSGB affiliated Club
• when a candidate is ready to be tested, application should be made (by the candidate) to the Regional Manager stating the speed at which they wish to be tested
• the Test will be conducted by the local club member who is an Approved Assessor for the speed of Test to be conducted (see 5 below). The Test will be adjudicated by either the Regional Manager, Deputy Regional Manager, any other elected RSGB volunteer, or an elected member of the club committee
• a successful Test will be confirmed using a form downloaded from the RSGB website and will be signed by the Approved Assessor and Adjudicator. This form will be retained by the Regional Manger for checking and audit purposes
• on completion of a successful test, the Regional Manager will issue a formal Certificate of Competency.

(When a Test is requested, it will become The Regional Manager’s responsibility to contact the Approved Assessor and make arrangements for the Test to take place at a convenient time and place for the candidate, Approved Assessor and adjudicator. It should be noted that The RSGB will not pay any expenses incurred in connection with undertaking a Test.)


5. Approved Assessors

5.1 A master list of Approved Assessors and the speed of Tests they are authorized to conduct will be maintained by Regional Managers for their respective areas. Approved Assessors may conduct Tests to the next level down to which they are authorized i.e. a 12 wpm approval would allow an Assessor to conduct a 5 wpm Test.

5.2 To become an Approved Assessor, applicants must apply to their Regional Manager using a form which can be downloaded from the RSGB website. The form will require evidence or statements of Morse code operation at the speed the applicant wishes to be approved for testing, not only in contest mode but also “rag-chewing” for several minutes. Proof will also be required that a Morse certificate (issued by a recognized authority i.e. Post Office Maritime Radio Services or the RSGB) is held by the applicant. The form will require references from three other people who also hold a Morse certificate to support and confirm statements made by the applicant.

5.3 Additionally, anyone who has previously undertaken Morse testing on behalf of Post Office Maritime Radio Services or the RSGB and can provide evidence to that effect, can apply (solely on these grounds) to their Regional Manager to become an Approved Assessor.

6. Consistency and Integrity

6.1 It is anticipated that consistency, integrity and development of the scheme will be monitored by a joint committee of the Regional Team and ARDC. The terms of reference for the committee will encompass training and testing, and ensuring that the scheme is conducted in a thoroughly professional and competent manner. This will guarantee that the Certificate is both desirable and that its reputation is respected both in the United Kingdom and Internationally.

6.2 It may also be desirable that the Committee will in due time extend its locus to further encourage the use of Morse. This may typically include arranging events (possibly) Morse weekends etc. when special event stations dotted around the country within the Regional scheme will send only Morse at various speeds. The intention will be to encourage and cater for all engaged in developing and enhancing their skills in using this mode of communicating.


7. Test Fees

No fees will be charged by the RSGB.

8. Commencement Date

It is anticipated that the scheme will commence on 1st January 2009.





Phillip Brooks G4NZQ
Region 12 Manager.

Appendix

Learning Morse.

Roger J. Cooke, G3LDI
GB2CW co-coordinator


Morse and Apple Pie

Learning Morse is much like Apple Pie. Let me explain. Most people like Apple Pie, but some like it with stewed apple, some with chunky apple. Some like short-crust pastry, others like puff pastry. Some like added sultanas, others like added cloves. (I cannot stand those!) Some like Apple pie with custard, others with ice-cream and yet others like double cream. Morse is much like that. There are numerous methods of learning the Code, and it is a personal choice as to what method you use. No written rules can be made, but some guidelines can be suggested and the method that suits the individual is then the correct one for THAT individual.


Raw Beginners

For receiving practice, you have to rely on a ham radio operator who can send/generate Morse code using an oscillator or you can try to find out Morse code transmissions over your radio receiver, such as the GB2CW transmissions. Morse code practice cassettes and multimedia computer software are nowadays available. Remembering the Morse code is an art form by itself. It involves a rhythmic response in your mind. Try to remember the combination of dot (.) and dashes (-) by their sound and not as a group of printed symbols. For this purpose, a dot (.) is referred to as a 'di' and a dash (-) as a 'dah'. A 'di' coming at the end of the combination is pronounced as 'dit'

Tutors have their own methods and I will describe mine. These are not definitive by any means but will provide a starting point. When I start with a new class, I usually start with a couple of letters, and ask the students to repeat the code in dit-dah fashion. Di-dah would therefore be A. I then add another letter, and ask them to repeat them, alternating in uneven sequence until they can have an instantaneous response. Then I send to them on the oscillator, with a keying speed of 20 wpm. This method can be repeated with additional letters being added as we progress. I then send them via Email a print out of the complete code, letters, numbers and punctuation, with the usual pro-signs and Q codes that are used in everyday communication.

Other tutors might have other ideas. I then advise what to do at home with regular practice each day.
Home Practice

Home practice can take the form of learning of the complete code, using various methods.

1. Try to engage the help of somebody calling out characters and transpose them into Morse. This can also be done in reverse, using the dit-dah format.
2. Cut some squares of cardboard, an inch square, with a character on one side and the equivalent in Morse on the other. Put them in one pocket and take out one at a time at random. Again, translate from one to the other.
3. As you are driving, translate the registration details of the car in front into Morse, plus any advertising you might see.
4. Listen to the local GB2CW SLOW Morse broadcasts that you might have in your area. You can find the details on the GB2CW Broadcast schedule.


These methods will enable the raw beginner to commit to memory most of the code. It is not an overnight achievement so have patience. You should commit to at least 20 minutes each evening, preferably 30 minutes, but whatever you can spare. This practice has to be constant. Leave it for a week and you will not improve. There will be characters that become stumbling blocks, X, Y, Z, Q etc These are letters with the largest amount of bits, purely because they are the least used. However, they must be as easily recognized as the letter E.


Farnsworth or Koch?

Both methods are good and in fact can be used simultaneously. I have always taught using the Farnsworth method. This entails learning the complete code all at once and committing it all to memory. When starting to receive Morse, there might be a bit more thinking time, but it does not matter. This thinking time will gradually decrease with constant practice. A good tutor will always stay a few steps ahead of your ability to copy 100%. If this were not the case, there would be no progress.

The Koch method requires the student to learn 2 or 3 characters and then practice with these at 20 wpm. Obviously thinking time will be less as there are only 2 or 3 characters to choose from! Adding another character then builds up the speed. However, I feel that this takes a longer time to learn and does not necessarily keep all the students at the same level. This will always be a problem due to varying practice times.


Computer Programs

There are numerous computer programs that can be used with Morse practice and they can be set up to suit each individual’s needs. Teach, by ZL1AN, and Learning Morse by AA9PW are two very good ones for beginners. However, there are numerous others and a Google search of the Internet will produce loads of them. Try them all, as all practice is good practice.


Listening on the bands

This is where the really exciting part helps. Listen to the latest DX-pedition and see how many calls you can copy. Try copying his at first. It may take several attempts as they normally send around 30 wpm. However, with perseverance and patience and practice, you will soon be successful. The three P’s are very important in this respect, so don’t despair at the first attempt.

The pleasure that you will obtain by being able to use CW at a reasonable speed, finding new contacts and making new friends will outweigh the effort that you had to put in to becoming a proficient CW operator. Remember, Winners never quit but Quitters never win.


Roger J. Cooke, G3LDI
GB2CW co-coordinator