[CW] CW problem

[Ken Lotts]

Henry,

I imagine that if you are good at copying 15wpm, you might be able to
catch some words.  I copy at 25 wpm and I catch several words.  I am
convinced that as I ease into 30 WPM I will be catching a lot more words.  
I know some friends that copy 40+ and can easily copy in their head.  
Dont imagine I will ever be as good as them..  Thing is that these guys
worked CW 8 hrs a day on the job (intercepting for the military) in their
youth.

I heard a story about a frog.. suppose to be that you can set a frog in
some water and slowly turn the water temperature up 1 degree at a time
over a period of a few days..  the frog ends up getting cooked and not
even realizing it.  Likewise, I ended up at 25 WPM and dont have a clue
how it happened..  except just enjoying an occaision QSO over the years .  

Used to be I couldn't write fast enough for 15 WPM.  Now the 18 WPM ARRL
Bulletins are easy to write down, and even make my printing look good.  I
have spent time casually seeing how much of the bulletin I can copy in my
head, but it stresses me out when I miss something.. I am sure it will
come in time though.

Ken aa7jc
http://www.lotts.net/ken/ham




On Mon, 18 Mar 2002 wa0goz@arrl.net wrote:

> I posted this on other reflectors, so getting that, please forgive me
> for posting
> it here.
> ===================
> I'm trying to learn to head copy CW.  I can copy with pencil at about 15
> wpm now.  My problem with head copy is that I don't hear the words, I
> hear the "melody".  That is, if I hear  dit dah  dah dit  dah dit dit,
> I don't hear A-N-D, or AND, I hear dit dah  dah dit  dah dit dit.  I can
> go along with a whole tape and "sing" right along with the sounds.  I
> really have to concentrate to hear the letters, but since I'm apparently
> doing some translation process, by the time the third letter gets to me,
> I've forgotten the first one or two.  This has been driving me crazy for
> a year or so.  I know that until I can start hearing words, I'll never
> be able to head copy fast.
> 
> I've corresponded with a number of hams, including Bill Pierpoint (who
> wrote a great book on CW), about this problem, and the only solution
> anyone has is for me to stop trying so hard and relax and just let it
> come.  If I do that, I can really get into the "music" of the tones.
> 
> Anyone have any experience with this type of problem or any suggestions
> as to how to overcome it?  All help is appreciated.
> 
> 73/72
> 
> Henry   WA0GOZ
> _______________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> CW@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
>