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I have a little commentary on the Morse Code exam and one strategy to pass it. For those who learn quickly, the Code Quick program ( www.cq2k.com ) is a fantastic program.

For those who would like additional help, start with Code Quick and then use "Your Introduction to Morse Code" and "Morse Code for Radio Amateurs." These are great CD's/book(let)s. Both are available from ARRL ( www.ARRL.org )

The Code Quick program starts you out by having you learn letters such as K, KAN-ga_ROO instead of dash dot dash. The program teaches all the letters (26), numbers (10), puctuation (3) and prosigns (4) that are necessary to pass to test...43 characters in all.

I recommend two different CD's because hearing the code from several different sources is a good idea. The "Intro" Cd allows you to practice just numbers, letters, punctuation, call signs and then everything at once. There is also code practice that is basically in the same format as the test itself. For additional practice, ARRL has code practice recorded on it's site. There is plenty of practice at different speeds, including the required 5 wpm (words per minute).

The test itself has 1 practice minute of code and then the 5 min test at 5 wpm. You'll then answer 10 questions about what you just heard/copied. If you do not get 7 of 10 answers right, if you have 1 minute of perfect copy, you still pass the test. You have two possible ways to pass!

Relax and practice. When you can easily copy the practice coding, you'll do well on the test!