[CW] Re: [KochMorse] Diminishing returns when learning morse

[K0HB]

From: "Joe - aa4nn" <aa4nn at earthlink.net>

> We copied with a pencil up to 18
> wpm then went to the typewriter,
> finishing the class copying 25+ wpm on the
> mill.

That seems like a disruptive sequence at best, and very limiting of the
potential of the trainee.  Copying with a pencil and copying on a mill are
two distinctly different skills.

High speed morse copying is a reflex action done at the subconscious level,
but this learning method would depend on thinking "that was a 'J'", then
doing a mental conversion in transcribing the letter.

A good 'mill operator' would never translate the 'didahdahdah' into 'J' but
rather into pressing the right forefinger on the home key 'J'.  This should
happen without the conscious brain thinking 'J'.

Similarly, a good 'stick operator' would not think 'J', but would
subconsciously print a 'J' on paper.  To move from that skill at 18WPM to
mill-copy at 19WPM implies that the training method required the trainee to
'think' each letter and perform a different action depending on whether they
had a pencil or a mill at their finger tips.

73, de Hans, K0HB
Master Chief Radioman, US Navy