[CW] CW problem

[Ronald KA4INM Youvan]

Hi  wa0goz@arrl.net:

> 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.


   First of all, drop the tapes, bad idea.  Copy W1AW, if you have to,
record it with a VHS video deck.  (receiver out connected to "audio in"
tuned to any TV station - 6 hour mode, you can't miss it)

   Start with the 5 wpm practice and (without any pencil or paper)
copy and make words, failing at the longer and getting the shorter
words, "and-of-the-we-he-go-she" after a while "page-sheet" dates etc.
After 5 is done, stay with it through the 13 and the next higher speed,
getting just a few letters and numbers.
After a month or two you will be getting some words from the 13 wpm run.
(always stay and copy the next two higher speeds, you will learn a little
bit each session)

   Next, when W1AW isn't on, copy real live QSO's, it is important to
develop the skills necessary to copy bad sending, rotten fists,
etc., most of what I copy is realty just sloppiness, *
if you can only copy a machine in your head (main processor)
there will be few HAMs you can actually work with "head copy".
   W1AW on 20 meters into west central Florida = 20-30 dB over S-9!

   If you can get a HF rig in the car/truck (a backup rig in case
your main rig gets hit by lightning or needs 2B sent in for repair etc.
is a gud idea)  if you are driving listen to HF!
   I listen to a FT-757 in the car (on 20 meter with a 10 meter "Slim-Jim"
for the lower size and wind loading - only one big magnet) and a FT-990
at home.

   It takes time to develop these skills, these skills can not be
taught, you and I must exert the time and effort to learn them.

   In my experience these skills come easy to some and mostly those persons
care little to do it all of the time, to the rest of us that must struggle
to get it gud (if we do) cherish this ability and CW becomes our favorite
mode and it will only get old when we do.  CW is the most fun I ever do.
   Head copy is where we must next go, it offers a great freedom.
Head copy is necessary for high speed field day (16 wpm and up, but accuracy
makes it go smoothly) and other contest work.
(if you can volunteer for logging with a gud CW operator do it, you will learn)
(I am there from midnight to 5 am every FD Sunday morning)


  * = (I heard one OM sent his call WB4XXX with the WB sent as one letter
every single time, otherwise he had a gud fist, we develop habits to do
this and we can learn (or slip into) bad habits too, always tell others
when they have developed a bad one like this, I would surely thank you
if you did it for me)


       73 (= Best Regards) de: Ron ka4inm@tampabay.rr.com
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