"Basic Level" Examination (Diploma)

The basic level examination consists of two disciplines : "aural comprehension" and "keyboard skills."

Listening comprehension means: recording and transcribing the test text. The listening comprehension test is done with the HB9HQX Morse code.

Key Tests The basic level key tests can be carried out with the Morse teachers or Morse godparents and during the HTC events organized for this purpose.

After consultation with a Morse sponsor, the key test can also be carried out via the "Band - On the Air". The test procedure is the same. The text for the key test will be provided by e-mail on an A4 sheet or, in the case of a test on the frequency. Alternatively, the same procedure can also be used for the key test over the Internet using HRS Hotline Böxli or iCW or CWCom .

"Advanced" test

The test is only conducted in listening comprehension. The advanced Morse code tests can also be carried out and corrected independently at home, like an exercise in a familiar environment, using the HQX program.

The following character set is being checked:

Letters: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Numbers: 0123456789

Characters:

. (period)

, (comma)

? (question mark)

/ (slash)

Test text

The exam text consists of groups of five numbers or letters each, as well as plain text and QSO text in three national languages and in English. No guarantee can be given that the exam texts used are error-free. However, these will be deducted.

Test speeds

The tests are conducted at the following paces:

Basic level (with diploma): 60 bpm (12 wpm, ear training and keyboard)

Advanced I: 80 bpm (16 wpm, sight-reading only)

Advanced II: 100 BpM (20 WpM, listening comprehension only)

Advanced III: 120 BPM   (24 WpM, listening comprehension only)

Duration of each test: 4 minutes.

Examination location: The location where the examination, in particular the basic level examination, will be held will be agreed upon with the examination experts or the HTC.

Submit a listening comprehension test file

The examination candidate can submit a listening test, conducted and saved with the HQX Morse training program, to the HTC Morse examination committee and apply for a pin. Those who already possess an HTC diploma will receive a sticker in addition to the pin. To submit the examination file (encrypted text file!), the application form on the HTC website must be used and filled out completely.

Important:

By submitting the examination file, the examination candidate confirms that they have personally and correctly carried out the examination, without any aids and without the help of third parties, and that the personal information (name and call sign) stored in the file matches the information entered in the application form.

Error rate in the hearing test

A maximum of 5 errors may be made at all test speeds.

Error rate in the palpation or delivery test

A maximum of 3 errors may be made; 3 mistakes are allowed . The keyboard test is only conducted at the basic level.

Retake of the exam

The entire Morse code test can be repeated as many times as desired. A failed test is simply another practice session.

The decision of the examination expert cannot be appealed. November 26, 2012 The HTC-CW Commission

Generate text

The HQX Morse training program generates texts randomly from encrypted tables in the program database and the groups of five using a random number generator. This ensures that all generated tests are unique. When the German language is set, it is a mixture of German and English texts. Important for foreign language test candidates: When the English language is set, only English texts are used.

Test speed

The speed is determined according to the PARIS method, i.e. if, for example, the word PARIS can be transmitted 12 times in one minute, the average speed is 12 words or 60 letters per minute. (In this case, this corresponds to a dot length of 100 milliseconds and a dash length of 300 milliseconds.)

Calculation formula: Error, error correction

The following are considered errors:

- each incorrect character (e.g. "kuxpa" instead of "kuxja" = 1 error)

- each missing character (e.g. "sp9ox" instead of "sp9iox" = 1 error)

- each additional character (e.g. "hb9rse" instead of "hb9rh" = 2 errors!)

Tolerated:

- missing word spaces (e.g. "iam" instead of "i am" = 0 errors)

- additional word spaces (e.g. "5 watt" instead of "5watt" = 0 errors)

Important:

The HQX Morse training program allows for the addition of spaces and the deletion of superfluous spaces when correcting the test, and then calculates the number of errors using an algorithm based on the so-called Levenshtein distance (edit distance). It thus takes into account the rules described above. There is no time limit for typing the recorded characters into the program's text window. However, the time taken is still recorded. With the help of the program, each test candidate can correct and print their own test.