The historical correction
The order beginning K M R S U has often been called “the Koch sequence.” The reviewed historical account instead associates those first five signs with Otto Lipmann’s aptitude-testing work; it does not establish a complete modern KMR progression published by Ludwig Koch. Morse Trainer Pro therefore calls its retained order the Legacy KMR-derived order and keeps it only for backward compatibility.
Our beginner default
The beginner path introduces exactly one unknown character at a time. It plays the complete sound before revealing identity, asks for a neutral response, then moves through differentiation, identity reveal, recognition, optional Code Talking, sending and mixed retention. Dot-and-dash notation is an optional reference after reveal, never the primary teaching mechanism.
Why identity starts concealed
Concealment gives the learner time to notice a complete acoustic pattern before attaching a visual label. It is a familiarisation step, not a letter-identification test. The later recognition stage measures identification separately.
Learning and practice are different
Initial acquisition builds a new sound association. Repetition drills then reinforce retention, accuracy, speed and fluency. Word, callsign, QSO, contest and head-copy modules are valuable practice tools; they are not each presented as a complete beginner course.
Instructors, Code Talking and sending
A live instructor can hear verbalisation, observe sending and notice whether a learner appears to recognise a whole sound or analytically count elements. Code Talking and sending can expose useful diagnostic information. Instructor Companion records private local observations and collects no classroom audio by default.
What software can and cannot do
Morse Trainer Pro supports acoustic familiarisation, structured independent learning, reinforcement, progression and fluency practice. Automated responses cannot fully replace live observation and correction. The self-guided path remains complete for learners without a class, while stating that limitation plainly.
Speed and spacing
Character speed controls the shape of each sound. Effective speed controls the overall pace by changing spacing. Neither setting defines a method. The 12/8 WPM classroom-oriented preset is an adjustable product preset informed by reviewed evidence; it is not an LICW endorsement, and existing saved speeds are not overwritten.
Sequence provenance
The recommended MTP acoustic order is a versioned product configuration and is not attributed to Koch or any external organisation. The legacy KMR-derived order remains stable for returning learners. Progress migration maps actual character identities rather than reinterpreting a numeric lesson index.
Sources reviewed 28 July 2026
- Long Island CW Club, Academic Downloads
- The LICW Curriculum Guide: What LICW Teaches, version 2.4
- The LICW Method Guide, version 1.8
- The Origins of the KMR Sequence
- The Search for the Koch Sequence
- The Koch Method
- Beginners Curriculum
- Curricula Introduction
- Morse Practice Page
- Determining Optimum Character Speed for Initial Learning of CW
- Developing the LICW QSO Protocol Sequence
- Morse Code Training
These sources informed this revision. Long Island CW Club and its contributors have not endorsed, certified, approved or partnered with Morse Trainer Pro. Source interpretations remain open to academic review.