[CW] How to get proficient in morse?

[Dave]

I agree with the 20 wpm learning curver  vs the 5 wpm curve.  In my younger days, as a Boy Scout I had to learn the code letter by letter, and memorized each letter by dots and dashes.  Getting from 5 wpm to 13 was a huge struggle for me.  Now, 40 years later, I receive just fine at 30 wpm but have difficulty moving from a semi-automatic bug to fully automatic operation.  Such is life.


-----Original Message-----
>From: Ron Youvan <ka4inm at tampabay.rr.com>
>Sent: Oct 11, 2011 9:54 AM
>To: CW Reflector <cw at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [CW] How to get proficient in morse?
>
>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?
>______________________________________________________________
>CW mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:CW at mailman.qth.net
>CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>=30=


________________________________________
PeoplePC Online
A better way to Internet
http://www.peoplepc.com