[CW] CW problem

[K4BEV@aol.com]

<< Anyone have any experience with this type of problem or any suggestions
 as to how to overcome it? >>

Hi Henry,
I have the SAME problem! --- But - I'm getting better!
3 things have helped me.

1)
Try to keep a radio on, listening to cw whenever possible.
Don't listen "too hard" though.
You'll hear the same combinations of characters a lot. When you recognize 
that you've heard the same thing a few times figure out what it is. (For 
example: "FISTS", "and", (assume the quotes please) the, Im, this, that, XYL, 
BT, yl, dog, and many, many others.
Next time you hear one that you've learned you'll just hear it as a word. 
Then it's a matter of building your "vocabulary".

2)
Without a pencil (etc) listen to the ARRL code practice and bulletins 
whenever you can. Same as above. Try to find repetitious things and figure 
out what they are.
TRY HARD not to hear elements, but rather characters. This is the toughest 
part (for me at least). TRY REALLY HARD not to copy the letter that you're 
listening to, but rather a character or two before it (I hope that makes 
sense - That "trick" has helped me the most.)

3)
DO NOT give up!
Listen to QSOs - Make QSOs.

D)
Although I'm still putting this off.... Find a "code buddy".

CW is  F U N  once you really get into it, and the musical quality of it just 
seems to get better as your understanding increases!

GL es 73,
Don - K4BEV