[CW] How to get proficient in morse?

[Ron Youvan]

Joseph L Pontek wrote:

> 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.

   Absolutely correct, that five word a minute Novice requirement harmed HAM Radio more than 
anything I can think of.

/*snip*/

> 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.

   Ever HAM needs a nice desk MIC, to hang his cans* on when copy is "arm chair."
   Many HAMs are self conscious or shy when faced with operating.  If this is any part of
your problem find a local OM or XYL that will help you.  Set up a SKED, call on the phone,
agree on what will be said, whom will start es the procedure you will follow so you know what
will be going on, do not hang up, one calls on the air the other answers, talk on the phone a bit,
then continue es learn to rag chew casually.  Talk about your dog, foot or another hobby or
interest, nothing really personal.  Don't worry about not sending or receiving for a few minutes
while you are talking on the phone, don't get in a rush or hurry, take it easy, if you make a
mistake send your eight dits es start the word over.  ID properly!  Get your feet wet slowly.
After two or three of these 10 or 15 minute exchanges try to contact your CW buddy without the
phone call during the QSO, but a call before you start is OK.  When you feel better about it try
answering a CQ or two for a short contact to see if you an handle it, then you can try longer rag
chews, work your self up to any kind of contact at any time es you will be off to the races.
   If anyone butts in tell them this is a "closed code practice" es thank them.
   (your buddy can do this for you)
  * cans are old time headphones with a sheet of tin for a diaphragm, they can not reproduce the
high frequency noise that weak signals are buried in, reducing fatigue greatly.

   You do need to learn to copy by hand before you learn "head copy" it is important to be able to
write down what you copy from time to time, especially for traffic handling.  (later in life)
Writing down what you hear es head copy are two different skills!

> 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.

  Tape W1AW code practice es listen to them (the faster than you can copy version) listen when
you can, like in the car, after one week record over them so you can't memorize that tape.
   It's work so get busy es GL
-- 
    Ron  KA4INM -    Ron  KA4INM - Did you know ...
                     ... that no-one ever reads these things?