The Long Island CW Club Offering Free Online Code Instruction for Homebound Youngsters
The Long Island CW Club in New York is offering free online Morse code instruction for the “many youngsters at loose ends as a result of school closings due to COVID-19 concerns.” The club’s co-founder,
Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, pointed out that learning Morse code is “a fun and educational activity for children of all ages that can fill part of the gap left by the current unfortunate situation that has closed so many schools across the country.”
Ongoing classes will take place Monday through Friday, specifically for school-agers anywhere across the country or overseas, via Zoom online video conferencing.
A computer equipped with a microphone and camera is required. Classes for elementary schoolers run 30 minutes starting at 1600 UTC, followed by 45-minute classes for middle- and high school-aged students, starting at 1645 UTC. Parental permission is required through advance registration.
Contact class instructor Rob Zarges, K2MZ, by e-mail or call 508-831-8248. — Thanks to Mel Granick, KS2G, ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Public Information Coordinator
The Long Island CW Club (W2LCW) offers over 25 on-line classes each week for learning Morse code. Classes are held at various levels from rank beginner to the seasoned expert. Check out the schedule page at https://longislandcwclub.org/events/
TU es 73!
Jerry, K1OKD
This article was re-print from the March 26th ARRL News Letter available at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2020-03-26
Here’s an update from the instructor Robb, K2MZ:
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We had one of our students, an 11 year old, make his first on air contact in CW last night during the CWT under his dad’s callsign! 1 month of classes and he is on the air!
Our students are doing great. The two oldest classes 4-12th graders will have all 40 characters by tomorrow. They are already sending first part of the QSO exchange. Next week we will do the second part of the protocol. Planning a on air contest in May.
Thanks to all that have referred kids to the first round of the Kids CW classes. Second round will start in mid-May. Let me know if you have children interested.
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This is amazing! In less than two months these kids have gone from never hearing a ‘dit’ or a ‘dah’ to making on-air contacts. If you have children interested in learning CW, this is a fantastic opportunity to introduce them to the hobby we all love so much.
TU es 73!
de K1OKD