[CW] Morse Training Programs

[Henry Mei'l's]

Hi 

I copied W1AW  (RST 529 - 559) hi speed  practice CW on 14.4+ MHz, this afternoon at 1500-1600 CET (1400-1500UTC) - 35 WPM is no problem as head copy but I have to be nimble when I copy above this speed on a mill. I remember having a block at 20 WPM back in the early 60's but I rented a code machine (perforated paper tape) and broke through the 20 WPM barrier in one afternoon.

I learned to copy by listening to W1AW on 3.5 MHz (I think it was 10PM EST) on my one tube HB superegen rcvr - back in the 50's.

Used to listen to NSS a lot, mostly on my Scott RCH rcvr. Very characteristic CW despite being sent by tape, then. W1AW has its own 'accent'-- even automated CW can be differentiated.

I suppose it's trivial to say, but It's the quality of the code that's sent that is the limiting factor for me - I find a mediocre fist, especially poor spacing, difficult to copy even at slow speeds and well-formed CW easy to read at 35-45 WPM.

Best to all, 
Henry, OZ1UF/OU5T:Cph
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron Zond 
  To: CW Reflector 
  Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 7:39 PM
  Subject: Re: [CW] Morse Training Programs


  Kate

  The first thing is to get used to hearing and decoding in your head Morse that is faster than what
  you can copy on paper. The first focus is to listen to the code faster than you can copy; DON'T
  write it down. If you can copy 18 wpm, pay attention to the 25 wpm (or 20 wpm) code. You will begin to 
  pick up bits and pieces at first. As you keep doing this, you will pick up more. At some point you will find that 
  you can write it down.  Listen, head copy then write at a speed less than you were copying. If you're
  getting in your head at 25, try writing the text at the 20 wpm run. 

  This idea is based on decades of experience. When there was a 13 wpm requirement to get the General license,
  the advice was to copy 15 wpm solid, thirteen would be easy ( and automatic).

  Good luck and 73

  Ron
  K3MIY

  Fifty years of CW
    -----Original Message-----
    From: cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Kate Hutton
    Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 11:11 AM
    To: CW Reflector
    Subject: Re: [CW] Morse Training Programs


    Ron - 

    Exactly what should be the mental focus of this exercise, while going "down the ladder"?  Try to write, try to headcopy, just listen, or do something else at the same time?

    Kate


    On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 10:27 AM, Ron Zond <k3miy at csonline.net> wrote:

      Kate and Others

      I had the same problem. Instead of working up, I worked down.
      There is a W1AW run that starts at 35 wpm and goes down. You can probably
      download them from the ARRL website, P ick a speed at which you are comfortable, and LISTEN;
      don't try to copy anything. If you are stuck at 18 wpm, and want to copy 20 to 25, listen to 35 wpm, and work down.
      At some point you can start to copy at a comfortable speed.  Try this for three weeks, and you should be copying
      faster than you are now. If your goal is 20 wpm, three weeks should do it. By the way, the method  seems to
      be impervious to the ravages of age, so all of you age ravaged folks might want to try this. I was nearly 50 when I discovered the trick. Good luck  73

      Ron
      K3MIY




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