http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/s_514665.html
>
>
> Kittanning man takes part in experiment using his knowledge of Morse code
> By Tom Mitchell
> LEADER TIMES
> Wednesday, June 27, 2007
>
> KITTANNING -- It's a language that's understood in virtually every country 
> in the world, yet few are conversant in it. It's strange language 
> consisting of only two monotone sounds, a long and a short beep. The 
> language is the International Morse code and a borough man, John Shannon, 
> is among the nation's foremost experts on this unique form of 
> communication practiced today only by some amateur radio operators.
>
> On June 18, Shannon, whose amateur radio call is K3WWP, was invited to the 
> University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland section of 
> Pittsburgh to take part in a short-term memory study involving Morse code 
> users.
>
> Julie Fiez, a psychology professor with the university said she got the 
> idea of using Morse code users in her studies from a family member who is 
> a licensed amateur radio operator and proficient with "CW," the radio term 
> for Morse code which means "continuous wave."
>
> Fiez said she was drawn to the idea of using CW in experiments to see how 
> people process verbal and audio tones.
>
> "Our interest is in verbal working memory," she said, "which is the 
> ability to keep 'on-line' for short time, information you can access 
> later.
>
> As an example of short-term memory retention, Fiez said when people look 
> up a number in a phone book, then close the book and a minute later dial 
> the number, they are using short-term memory to remember a number they've 
> seen in the book.
>
> "We use neuro-imaging and behavorial studies to try to understand what 
> brain areas contribute to a person's ability to perform a task," she said.
>
> Test subjects view lists of random letters that appear on a computer 
> monitor. After each list, they are asked to write the letters on a note 
> pad. Next, they hear a series of random letters through ear phones and 
> again, note each group. The final groups of letters are sent in Morse 
> code. Subjects also copy Morse code sentences sent at 16, 19 and 24 words 
> per minute. It was in this latter test that Shannon excelled.
>
> Licensed as a radio operator since 1963, Shannon obtained an extra class 
> license, the highest class available, in 1968. Although his license gives 
> him full privileges on all amateur radio frequencies, Shannon prefers to 
> use Morse code exclusively.
>
> "Anyone can talk into a microphone," he said, "but using CW is a skill 
> that few bother to maintain."
>
> Shannon said he laments the fact that code proficiency is no longer a 
> requirement in obtaining a radio amateur license. Since 1994 Shannon has 
> made a minimum of one QSO (amateur radio contact) a day using Morse code. 
> That translates to more than 4,700 consecutive days of radio contacts.
>
> Shannon said he has confirmed Morse code contacts with radio amateurs in 
> more than 200 foreign countries as well as having worked all states and 
> Canadian provinces.
>
> "There are some places that constitute a 'country' for radio purposes that 
> are not actually countries or sovereign nations," Shannon said. "For 
> example, if you work a scientific research station in the Antarctic, that 
> counts as a country. St. Peter and Paul Islands, northeast of Brazil, or 
> Kergulen Island, a French possession in the Indian Ocean, also count as 
> countries."
>
> However, Shannon's contacts are done the "hard way,' by using low-power, 5 
> watts or less, and simple wire antennas.
>
> "It's called QRP, meaning low power, operation," he said. "This shows the 
> ability of even low powered CW signals to 'get through' while other modes 
> may not for various reasons."
>
> Shannon said that while he never considered short-term memory ability in 
> relation to amateur radio, a study of the idea has merit. While most CW 
> operators can copy 20 words per minute, and some up to 35, Shannon is 
> certified as having copied a sizzling 55 words per minute. He said that 
> there may be only a few dozen or so radio operators in the nation who can 
> copy CW at that speed.
>
> "You don't hear letters," he said, "you hear words or sometimes short 
> sentences. You have to use a key board to copy because no one can write 
> that fast and you always copy 'behind,' meaning that you are typing in 
> what was sent several seconds earlier, so you're definitely using short 
> term memory."
>
> To date Fiez and two assistants, Maryam Khatami and Sara Guediche, have 
> tested nine radio amateur volunteers. Shannon is the only subject from 
> Kittanning.
>
> "We're still looking for volunteers who are proficient in Morse," Fiez 
> said. "The studies will continue through the summer at least."
>
> She said she expects to find differences between individuals on the basis 
> of how skilled they are with Morse and in the terms of how they used the 
> code in their radio experience. Fiez said she hope to use the information 
> gathered to better understand short-term memory.
>
> Shannon said he will detail his part in the experiment in an upcoming 
> issue of World Radio Magazine.
>
> Tom Mitchell can be reached at [log in to unmask] or (724) 543-1303 ext 
> 220.
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