[CW] "Copying" CW

[Pedro J. Santa]

Hello all:
=20
I essentially used Dave N1EA's system once I passed my 20 WPM test, even =
though that test (before they did away with some speed as a requirement =
for an Extra Class License) required a frenzy wrist and sharp pencil to =
keep up with the tape and, for many taking the test, it necessitated =
answers on the desk with the written questionnaire  you were allowed to =
fill out after the hand copy/headphones session.  Few can deny it is not =
easy to pencil 20 WPM CW in block letters, particularly after you ceased =
using block letters decades ago. =20
=20
Going back to the system described by N1EA, what I did initially, once I =
reached the conclusion it's nonsense to write down everything you hear, =
was to visualize, as I heard the QSOs in process (acting as an =
"elephant" at those learning stages--and even now--is usually better =
than acting as a "crocodile") the characters coming out in sequence off =
the left side of one of those electric text billboards we've all seen, =
such as those used to display those "tapes" which remind us on the dot =
how stocks are performing in the market (? ! #**##@**# !!!,  hi hi)  =
Before you get to that, however, it's essential that each character be =
recognized in your head without moving your hand to copy anything.  =
After a while, the "e-tape" image dissipates and you actually attain the =
"head copying" ability that's so desirable for speeds above 10 WPM and =
well above that, to the ad finitum permitted by each individual's =
abilities.  Once you've past that "no-pencil" threshold, all you need to =
write down are the really meaningful things, i.e., callsign, name, city =
and other unique features regarding that other station.  Jotting down =
such information is now accomplished with the keyboard and the data is =
entered directly to your logging program. When that point is reached, =
there's really no need to use pencil and paper (although those objects =
are good to keep at the operating desk and used sparingly, because =
"primeval instincts" are hard to erase and, darn!, because paper and =
pencil seem to be destined to retain their usefulness notwithstanding =
all the electronic advances that incorrectly presaged the demise of =
traditional materials). Nevertheless, it is desirable to develop the =
skills meant to ensure that CW operation will continue to provide the =
same exciting communication experience you felt in the learning stages, =
but now without scribble-filled notebooks that we accumulated in those =
marvelous early days of Code operation.
=20
73 Pedro KP3X..



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