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

[KD5NWA]

Like I mentioned to someone else, this conversation has been an eye opener 
for me. I have tried to learn Morse several different ways and never succeeded.

The best success was using a keyboard, I went as far as 18 characters, then 
I quit because I though I wasn't learning it right.

I would concentrate on the sound and as the letters were sent I would type 
the letter without thinking what I was receiving. I was actually getting 
the characters with almost no mistakes at all, but then I quit. I 
erroneously thought that although I was getting a 100% accurate reception 
that I was not learning it the right way because I had no idea what I was 
receiving.  There was no one around to tell me that I was doing fine and 
that it was normal.

The funny thing was when I tried learning it by thinking the letter in my 
head as I received it, then the memory problem would set in. I would start 
forgetting the letters after about five to six characters, it would take 
too long to remember what the received character was. When I used the 
keyboard and didn't think about what I was receiving I sailed right past 
that point with no problems.

Although most persons first learn by writing the letters down, I will start 
by typing them because I've had so much problems with writing  that at this 
point I need a  little positive feedback to counteract all the problems 
I've had.

I'm going to start again with a keyboard, using NuMorse and Chuck Adams 
course, after I get it down pat with the keyboard I go over the course 
again and learn how to write it down.


At 02:10 PM 2/20/2005, David J. Ring, Jr. wrote:
>Jim,
>
>A great posting as usual.
>
>I agree totally.  When the copy is very easy:
>
>UR RST 5X9 QTH XXXXX XX NAME XXXXX = HW? + = N1EA DE WD9ABC K
>
>I just have to write down the letters above that are marked with the letter X.
>
>I anticipate everything else - sometimes the RST doesn't start with a 5 or 
>end with a 9, so when I anticipate that I hear the change.
>
>In "conversational" morse whenever a new word is sent, most operators 
>can't copy it in their head.  This is most true at high speeds (a relative 
>term but still a valid remark.)  Usually the next time that same word is 
>sent, I write it down.  After I write it down, I read it and say "Oh, is 
>that what he sent."
>
>Most times I copy with a pen, either letter for letter, or a type of 
>shorthand where I just write down the important words.  Writing down the 
>"important words" involves copying behind, understanding the word, and 
>deciding if it is "important" which is a skill that you develop as you get 
>more practice.
>
>Perhaps about 90% of the time I copy all the letters - usually up to about 
>25 wpm, after that I either use a typewriter or I abreviate the copy.
>
>I find that I cannot copy 5 to 10 wpm in my head anymore - I get 
>distracted. I must copy it down.  Then I must read and understand 
>it.  When I copy, I don't understand.
>
>Copying Morse is a long term memory facility - it is engrained in the 
>brain in chemical memory.  The response to the sound of Morse requires an 
>automatic transcription - if you've gotten to this place, it is all long term.
>
>If you have a short term memory problem if you have a short term memory 
>problem, you will find that CW is a great way to communicate - because you 
>can have a written record of what was said - and you can look at 
>it.  Short term memory problems only make problems when you repeat (like I 
>did above!).
>
>73
>
>David N1EA

SNIP ............

>-Cecil

KD5NWA
<http://www.qrpradio.com/>

'Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you
with experience.'               -anon