As
someone who teaches Amateur Radio classes in both theory and CW, I
am constantly seeking new ways to help newcomers learn what they need
to know. Hardly a week goes by without someone asking for the best
way to learn theory, Morse code, or both. Often they mention specific
tools, such as a particular book or some software they heard about
from a friend. Only if I’ve actually worked with that item will I
be able to give an answer based on anything except hearsay or rumor.
When
I was offered an opportunity to try another tool, I couldn’t refuse.
Especially since I’ve heard so much about Ham University and
its designer, Michael F. C. Crick. Over the years, many programs have
been developed in the name of teaching about Amateur Radio. A few
have withstood the test of time. This is one.
Installation
and Use
My
home computer is a modest 486 PC running Windows 95. Since
I found no mention in the installation and operation manual of specific
computer requirements, I was a little concerned that my “ancient”
machine might be too slow for the task. I was relieved to discover
that program installed perfectly the first time. The book does say,
however, that if you plan on using Ham University for learning
Morse, a properly functioning sound card is necessary. I knew mine
was working well (I’ve used it with the G3PLX PSK31 software), so
I proceeded.
Using the instruction booklet, I quickly
realized how easy this program is to use. At the title screen, you
can pick from a variety of tools available under the “Activity” menu
at the top of the page.
The
first two items under the Activity Menu are FCC Question items. “Quiz”
allows you to pick and choose which questions and/or topics you wish
to be tested. The entire question pool is available to browse through,
or you can focus on a particular topic. Each quiz is automatically
given a default name (.QIZ extension) unless you assign a specific
name. All option settings are saved when you leave. When you return,
you can pick up right where you left off.
Clicking on FCC Question “Exam” brings a screen
allowing you to either continue an existing exam or begin a new exam.
All questions and answers are drawn word-for-word from the new FCC
question pools, in use since April 15, 2000. At the end, the score
shows exactly how many questions were passed and how many were missed.
You can review those with incorrect answers. Exams are saved with
.XAM extension, and can be saved before you start, during the exam,
or after you’ve completed it.
Morse Training
and Testing
Actual
Morse code lessons are accessed by clicking on “Lessons.” You must
first put a Lesson Plan together. This is easily accomplished following
the directions guided by Morris the Cat— an animated cat who assists
by describing each function the mouse pointer indicates.
My favorite method is the “Exercise” approach
done by copying with the keyboard. What you type is shown in the lower
panel. At the end of the exercise, you can compare what you typed
with the sent message displayed in the upper panel. Variables that
you can manually adjust include speed in words per minute, character
speed, message length and word length.
In addition to all this, Ham University
offers a Morse game called PENTODE. The object is to build a large
number of points in a short period of time. These points are received
by connecting two or more tiles (the more the better), each containing
the same character, as a diode (side by side), triode, tetrode or
pentode. Personally, I found the game far less exciting than the speed
exercise to copy Morse on the keyboard in the shortest possible time.
Conclusion
Ham
University is an excellent tool for anyone wishing to use a computer
to study for an Amateur Radio license, regardless of which level they
wish to pursue. Of course, my recommendation is to use such a program
in conjunction with a class. The interaction of others provides the
additional element of experience, expertise, and a warm body to answer
all of your questions.
In
the absence of such a class, Ham University provides everything
you need to go from ground zero all the way to Amateur Extra…in the
comfort of your own living room.
I’d be remiss in this review if I neglected
to mention something else. Displayed at the top of each page of the
instruction booklet is a flag of a foreign country. Next to the flag
is the appropriate country name, accompanied by its latitude and longitude,
CQ Zone number and call sign prefix. This is a very nice touch, adding
to the educational and instructional factor of the Ham University
program.
Dan
Miller, K3UFG -- ARRL Certification Specialist
