[CW] How to get proficient in morse?

[Joseph L Pontek]

Good day, Michiel.

I believe I have learned code in all the wrong ways over the years.  I 
believe from that,
I have learned to proper or better way to learn the code.

First, the code to a beginner should be taught at about 20 WPM, 
minimum.  That way,
they learn by the sound of a character, not counting dits and dahs.  You 
have hear the
letter, not the dits and dahs and with that you will progress fast.

You do not say at what speed you are now, but I would try these 
methods.  Produce
the recording of 'good' CW.  There are some programs that let you produce CW
at various speeds and can send a text at 20 WPM characters, but 15 WPM rate,
i.e. extended spacing between letters.  I would produce recording with 
and without
the extended spacing.  Play these recordings when ever you can even half 
heartedly
listen back ground music per say.  Experience: About 20 years back, I 
had to go
mobile if I wanted to be on the air.  As I had a lot of wind-shield 
time, I listened or
operated on mainly 40m CW.  I found operators that were running at 30 
WPM or
better and just listened.  Operating mobile, I could barely keep notes, 
let alone
copy it on paper.  I started in June and by late August or early 
September, I was
copying 55 WPM pretty solid.  At other times, I listened to recording on 
my tape
recorder or cassette player in the car, etc. and at speeds just above or 
more then
my comfort level.  So, in about 3 1/2 months, my speed to copy went from 
25 WPM
to 55 WPM and I was even copying higher, but not as well.

The only time I used a microphone was for weather emergency nets.  I 
only listened
to the radio for news, then went back to the CW.  If I was not on the 
radio, a CW recording
was playing in the back ground.  I even tried listening to tapes while 
asleep.  I can't
say it did or did not help as I did not do it very often.

But listen, listen, listen to CW as much as you can.  It does not 
require copying everything
you hear.  In time, you will hear something at a higher speed and you 
will realize, you
are copying at the higher speeds without trying.  I rarely use a 
pen/pencil except to
note a reply item.  Higher speed is all head copying.  In time, you can 
then add typing or
writing what you copy.

I am slowing down now days with limited time on the air and a hearing 
problem, but I still
do well at 40 to 45 WPM.  My sending is slow due to arthritis, 35 WPM.  
When you need
to copy, in a QSO say, use earphones.

Good luck.

161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty&  Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
V31JP K8JP VP5/K8JP VP5JP K8JP/VA2
FOC 1743 CWops 876, A1OP, SKCC 3171T, FISTS 7625 CC 951
LotW
Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair


On 10/10/2011 9:23 PM, Michiel Wories wrote:
> Hi,
> This is probably a question that pops from time to time. I had been 
> learning morse code a while ago using the Koch method. I was able to 
> reliably copy code at decent speed, but making a transition in copying 
> real QSO's seems a transition is seems hard.
> I read various articles about the do's and don'ts and various learning 
> techniques.
> I seem to be able to stuck however, when I am trying to copy a real 
> QSO the brain goes in overload. Not even mentioning sending code.
> What helped you learn this? I realize not everyone learns the same, 
> but I'd like to get some of the collective wisdom of this group.
> I also have a feeling having a practice buddy may help. Is there a 
> system for this, ideally through the internet?
> I have to note I have limited time available. Maybe this is the core 
> of the problem, but if there is a way to get there gradually, I'd love 
> to know.
> Thanks,
> Michiel W7MJW
>
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