[CW] books

[Rich Dailey, N8UX]

At 01:54 PM 12/31/2003, you wrote:
>I have been out of radio for about 20years.  I have recently retested and
>now have my General ticket.  My goal , for now, is to become more proficient
>at CW do most of my on-the-air work in CW.  I'm not looking for help in
>learning the code although I am working on my code speed and timing.  I am
>looking for references, web pages or books that will help me learn
>poriocedures.  he recent discussion on the AR perosign started me thinking
>that I am probably ignorant of a lot of procedures that I should know.  I
>want to imporve my operating skills and will continue studying.

First, a hearty congratulations for re-entering the hobby.  CW is still as fun
for me as it was 20 years ago,  even though some of the prosigns and procedures
have changed, or disappeared.  But I think they are always in a state of change.  I think a lot of it
is just a lack of knowledge.  Morse code elmers are getting harder to find.  Sad,
but true.  But we have the internet,  and there are some great resources out there.

I think the main thing that must be done in order to increase copy speed is to
"put the pencil down".  I know that is common knowledge amongst the list members,
but it bears mentioning.  Strive for head copy of everything.  Of course jot down the
essential info for the log,  but don't write down the entire qso.  
   Whenever you can,  turn the radio on,  find a qso that is running at a speed that sort
of makes you feel uncomfortable,  and listen to it.  I do this every time I'm in the shack,
at the computer doing work,  with my back turned to the rig.  Even if you're not copying
the qso,  your ears will become familiar to the sound,  and over time you'll notice that it
becomes less scary to listen to QRQ sigs,  less intimidating.
   I try to adhere to prosigns and procedures set down in the older (50's 60's and 70's) ARRL
Handbooks and operating guides.  It does good to use them on the air,  as it introduces them
to less experienced ops.  You'll always find someone on the air who is skidding along, munging
the code into something totally indecipherable,  sending "A A A" for a period, and such.  All
we can do is point out to them by example what good code is,  and proper procedures.  I give them
credit that they are on the air and using CW!  They are all good guys in my book.

Web resources?  First on my list is the online edition of Bob Pierpont's "Art and Skill of Radio-
Telegraphy" --  http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm

Also, I would recommend G4FON's Koch trainer.  Use it to listen to text files when
the bands are dead, or no QRQ to be found -- http://www.qsl.net/g4fon/

And the fine DOS program by Jim Farrior is great for improving speed, as well as learning
American as well as International morse.  Runs on older, less powerful computers --
http://www.net-magic.net/users/w4fok/

The best resource by far is to get on the air and operate.  Hope this helps,

Rich, N8UX