
“Just Learn Morse Code” Program Instructions
Introducing 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.
The basic methods used to achieve this are Koch’s method and Farnsworth timing.
Features
- Accurate Morse code timing
- Thorough evaluation of code copied
- Customizable character set
- International characters
- Prosigns
- Selectable speed, pitch and volume
- Optional Farnsworth timing
- Creating Morse code audio files
- Generate Morse code from text files
- Practice selected characters
- Practice common words, abbreviations and Q codes
- Optional dual pitch for initial learning
- and more.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB. All rights reserved.
Koch’s method
Traditionally, Morse code has been taught by struggling through all the codes at a slow speed and then (slowly) progressing towards higher speeds.
Koch’s method, on the other hand, dictates that you should start learning at the desired speed – but you start with only two characters. Each session is five minutes long, and whenever you get 90% or more correct, you add another character.
Just Learn Morse Code utilizes Koch’s method for teaching Morse code. Koch’s method was invented by German psychologist Ludwig Koch in the 1930s.
For more information about this method, see David G. Finley’s (N1IRZ) page.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB. All rights reserved.
Farnsworth timing
Traditionally, reducing the speed of Morse code has been done by making everything take longer, i.e. both the sounds and the silent periods between them.
Using Farnsworth timing, characters are sent at the same speed as at higher speeds, while extra spacing is inserted between characters and words to slow the transmission down. The advantage of this is that you get used to recognizing characters at a higher speed, and thus it will be easier to increase the speed later on.
Using Farnsworth timing is optional in Just Learn Morse Code.
The ARRL uses Farnsworth timing for transmissions, practice and test tapes up to 18 WPM (90 CPM).
Farnsworth timing was invented by Donald R. Farnsworth (W6TTB) in the late 1950s.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB. All rights reserved.
Getting Started
First of all, read about Koch’s method and Farnsworth timing if you haven’t already.

Click the Play button.

Adjust the speed to your desired level. In the WHCA-ARC course we begin all new characters at 5/20 until a higher proficiency is gained. For now, you should do this by changing the first of the two numbers. If you’re uncertain about what speed to use, just use the default setting of 12/18 WPM.

If you want to see the text that is being sent, click the View Output button. Click the same button again to hide the output.

Click the Stop button. Now you’re ready for Your first session.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB. All rights reserved.
Your first session

Set the number of characters used to two.

You will see that two characters are emphasized. Click on either one to listen to what that character sounds like. Do this a few times for each of the two characters, so that you get used to them. Your first session will last for five minutes, and you are supposed to enter as many of the characters that are sent as you possibly can. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it, everybody makes mistakes and it is not necessary to copy 100% in order to learn Morse code effectively.

Click the Play button, and get ready to type. When your session is over, you may want to read about how to interpret your Session results.

You might also click the Stop button at any time to have your performance evaluated immediately.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB. All rights reserved.
Dual pitch
The simplest way to explain using Dual Pitch is, DON’T! IT IS A WASTE OF TIME
Visual Aid
The simplest way to explain using a Visual Aid is, DON’T! You want to learn by learning sounds and patterns. Don’t create confusion with dot and dash charts
Session Results
When you’ve completed a session, your results will be presented on screen. There is a short delay between the last character transmitted and the appearance of the results. This is by design, and is intended to give you time to enter the last couple of characters transmitted.
Your overall score is presented, along with the score of each individual character. Koch’s method dictates that whenever you score 90% or better, you should add another character. This is somewhat ambiguous, as it is possible to get an overall score of more than 90% and at the same time get less than 90% on some of the individual characters.
When beginning to learn, the recommended way to interpret this is that if everything (the overall score as well as the individual character scores) is 90% or above you move on. Also, missing a few spaces is hardly a big deal if you score above 90% on everything else, so you could settle for a lower score on the spaces.
As you add more characters, the individual percentages get less important. For instance, when dealing with 30 different characters, some characters might only occur one or two times in a session. If you miss one of them, the percentage for that character will look rather bad even though you got everything else 100%.
So, at some point you should ignore the individual percentages. When the overall percentage is good (well above 90%), make an intelligent decision based on the number of hits and misses for the seemingly worst characters.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB. All rights reserved.
Changing Settings
Tools Options Dialog
Most Just Learn Morse Code settings can e changed in the Tools Options dialog.

Select Options in the Tools menu.

Settings are divided into three different categories : General options, Character set options and Audio options.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB. All rights reserved.
Source Menu
The source of Morse code generation can be selected in the Source menu.

Character Set
This is the default setting. Characters are taken from the set selected in the Character set options, and Koch’s method is used for learning the characters.
All the other Source menu settings allow for any character to be used.
Selected characters
This setting allows you to practice selected characters, and might be useful for any trouble spots you’ve noticed.
Text File
Whenever you click the Play or Record button, you will be asked to specify a text file to be used for generating Morse code.
Text Lines
Similar to the Text file option, except random lines from the text file are used for generating Morse code.
Possible uses include practice QSOs, custom word lists and sentences in any language.
Entered Text
This setting allows you to enter a different text every time you click the Play or Record button.
Words
Produces a mix of words selected from the most common words in the English language.
Abbreviations
Random abbreviations typical to real life Morse code.
Q Codes
Q codes used in real life Morse code. Note: Words, abbreviations and Q codes may be combined.
Note: Words, abbreviations and Q codes may be combined.
Entering Prosigns
All prosigns except + and = are entered with a backslash in front of the letters, e.g. \BT \CL etc. You can adjust the silent period after a prosign is sent with the prosign Spacing setting in the General options dialog. You should always enter one space after entering the prosign, regardless of this setting.
Creating audio files

Click the Record button. You will be asked for a file name for the audio, and also get the option of creating a text file containing the sent text.
Copyright © 2005-2006 Sigurd Stenersen, LB3KB. All rights reserved.