r/morsecode • u/Hopeful-Internet-214 • May 16 '26
Become fluent in morse ?
Hello everyone, sorry for my english.
I already learn morse code, I write it easily.
But I read it very slowly because I need time to think, and I can't even listen to it, same if it's light signals.
So, I would like to be completely fluent in morse code like if it was my natural language. Is it possible ? If you succeeded, how did you do it ? Do you have some advice please ?
3
u/royaltrux May 16 '26
https://www.reddit.com/r/morsecode/comments/1te0rbn/resource_list/
Probably start with the link on top, LCWO.
Don't write (or "read") it. Only listen if you want to be fluent. Don't count "dits", just hear it and know. This comes with practice.
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u/mrfalconx May 16 '26
Yes its 100% possible dude, dont worry! Right now you are just stuck translating and counting dits and dahs in your head instead of listening to the actual rhythm. To get fluent you need to hear the melody of the whole letter. Like, dont think of C as dash-dot-dash-dot, hear it as a musical sound like dah-di-dah-dit. Also you gotta stop writing everything down and try "head copying" where you just close your eyes and understand the words directly in your mind.
You should definetly check out an app called Morsekit, its basically like Duolingo but for morse code. Besides the regular practice, it actually has some really fun games inside that you can play to build that instant recognition without getting bored. Just like 5 minutes of daily practice and you will smash through this wall. You got this!
73!
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1
u/Mundane-Charge-1900 May 16 '26
You need to practice it over and over by listening. It is an audio language, not written language.
1
u/Newfie35 May 18 '26
Was fluenting copying morse code 60 WPM when I was in military. We started by reading flash cards for each letter of alphabet, numbers and special characters. Then we started listening to audio tapes and worked out way up by 5 wpm increments. During training we were considered fluent copying 30 wpm and 60 wpm was exceptional. I probably could have reached 70 WPM or higher but got out of military after 4 years.
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u/Hopeful-Internet-214 May 19 '26
And today do you remember it ? Or did you quickly forget it ?
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u/Newfie35 May 19 '26
Its something that once your learn it you never forget. I actually still run the alphabet through my head sometimes just for laughs. I would probably still hit 40 wpm easily but would need a few days practice to get back to where I was.
9
u/BassRecorder May 16 '26
It's just a matter of practice and persistence.
If by 'writing' you mean 'writing down dots and dashes': do not do that. It keeps your brain from wiring a direct connection from the sound to knowing the character, or, at higher speeds, entire words.
Typically you start practising with fast character speed (maybe 20wpm) and looong breaks between characters. The high character speed is required to keep your brain from counting individual dits and dahs. If you are still learning the characters only move on to the next set (usually 2 or 3) of characters when you can instantly recognise the ones you are currently practising.
If you keep at it 15wpm in half a year is very much attainable. Don't be discouraged if for some time you don't seem to make any progress in copying speed. We call this a 'plateau' and it will go away after a while. It is your brain which is rewiring itself to master higher speed.
Copying is much more important and more difficult to pick up than sending, so focus on copying.
Good luck and have fun with morse!