[CW] Re: [KochMorse] Diminishing returns when learningmorse

[N2EY at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/18/2005 2:51:10 PM Eastern Standard Time, Cecil Bayona <CBayona at CBayona.com> writes:

>I been trying to learn Morse code for a while >now with very little success, 
>I've tried all sorts of ways, I have a problem >with short term memory that 
>seems to affect me in dealing with Morse code and >phone numbers, so I have 
>not been too successful.
>
>For a while I tried instead of writing it down, I >would type the letter on 
>the keyboard. When I had that letter down, I >would add one more letter to 
>the mix.  I stopped learning that way when I was >about 18 letters into it, 
>because of one problem. 

Hmmmm....

If I understand correctly, you got to the point where you could copy 18 different letters accurately. That's success, not a problem!

There are only about 43 characters that are
commonly used, so you are almost halfway done.
 
>I could copy the letters 
>that I had learned 
>perfectly, like you mentioned I would hear the >letter and my fingers would 
>react and type a letter. all I did was to >concentrate on listening to the 
>sound. 

That's *exactly* what you should be doing 
at this stage. 

>Although I was copying those letters 
>accurately I did not have a 
>clue what I was receiving,

That's not a problem at all *at this stage*.

>I would have to stop 
>concentrating and look at 
>the screen, but then I would miss several letters.

Perfectly normal. Solution: Don't look at the screen, don't worry about what it says, just type. 

Then when the code stops, go back and read what you copied. 

I have watched high speed operators pound out a page of text on the mill and yet have *no* idea what they had just copied.
>
>So my question is, when does knowing what you are >receiving come in?

Later.

>Does 
>one as they become more proficient acquire that >skill also?

It's a different skill.

One misconception about Morse operating is that "it's a skill", when actually it's a whole bunch of skills. Being able to copy "in your head" is a different skill than being able to write it down, to give just one example. 

Right now your focus is *exactly* where it should 
be: building recognition of the letters. 

Understanding what is being sent at this stage
just isn't important. That's a second-level 
skill that will develop in time.

When I was learning Morse I had exactly the same experience - I'd have to look at the paper to see what I had copied. "Head copy" came later, when being able to write it down did not take much concentration.

Ever see someone turn off the car radio when they're in an unfamiliar neighborhood or bad driving conditions? They do it to allow themselves to concentrate on the main task. 

As for short-term memory: I'm no expert, but it seems to me that if someone can understand a long spoken sentence, they have the short-term memory capacity to develop the skill of head-copying Morse. The trick is that when you hear a long sentence you remember the meaning, not the exact words. Same with Morse. 

Just IMHO, anyway.

73 es GL de Jim, N2EY