[CW] Morse Training

[Kate Hutton]

Maybe it would be good to separate "learning the alphabet" vs. building
speed & endurance.  At the first stages, that advice about short practice
periods might be good advice.  The mind has a shorter attention span for
learning things that are totally new.  Once you get through that THEN you
start building up your focus & endurance on the computer, ragchewing or
whatever.  Just a thought ... but I have been there recently ...

And it does take a lot of time.  I don't really want to tell beginners how
much time I've put into it, because I don't want to scare them off.  I just
say it's like learning to play a musical instrument.

73 Kate K6HTN

On Mon, Jul 19, 2010 at 2:12 PM, Michael Josefsson <mj at isy.liu.se> wrote:

>
> On 19 Jul 2010, at 19:50, John Westerlage wrote:
>
> >
> > I'm curious about some of the advice about learning Morse.
> >
> > I no longer remember exactly how I learned Morse, or how long it took,
> since I've been using it daily since 1956.  But I do remember that it was a
> kind of hit or miss type thing - no formal training.  And one day I just
> realized that I was head copying.
> >
> > Nowadays, some of the newer online or pc-based trainers have help files
> advising not to practice for more than 5-15 minutes at a time.  To me, that
> sounds like WAY too little.  They also advise not to practice when too
> tired, too frustrated, too sick, or too whatever.
>
> I can make a comment on this. When I had a class (ham radio) we did
> sessions of abt 10 minutes when learning the code. Then a few minute(s)
> break and then another 10 minutes. This went on for about 1 hour 20 minutes.
> After that a longer coffee break when we also got up on our feet for a
> while. And after that perhaps abt 1 hour of excercise with 10 minutes
> blocks. We went according to the Koch-method at strictly 15 WPM. Two new
> chars each week at the meeting as per above and then practice at home till
> next week. All went very smoothly. This was to know the code at 15 WPM and
> pass the test. The bulk of the training was then later on air with the
> ticket in hand. Some advance in speed, some don't.
>
> I think a problem with a computer as tutor is that one has too high
> expectations on progress and then bale out after a few weeks. "It is modern,
> it is a COMPUTOR!" Unfortunately the brain has not advanced as the MIPS
> do... Learning the code still takes time, sweat and perseverance.
>
> When it comes to military training the code is taught to a selected bunch
> of recruits tested suitably for the job. It is also not necessary that
> everyone pass the higher speeds. Not all of them will be interceptors
> anyway. With hams one can not reasonably put the same stress within the
> hobby. Many of us also have a social life that will take a burden should we
> attend code school for too many hours a day:)
>
> /Micke
>
>
>
>
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