[CW] How to get proficient in morse?

[Dan]

Michiel;
 
As one who likes CW, but is not the fastest op in the world, I can tell you that no matter what your copy speed is, it isn't worth a tinkers-dam if you cannot send at the same speed, or visa-versa. 
 
Sure it is nice to learn CW at 20 wpm or faster, but if I had to learn it at that speed before I got on the air, I would not have ever entered the wonderful world of CW. I learned CW by listening to tapes, spelling out road signs in CW; IE: S T O P would be ... - --- .--. etc. I did the same with license plates. 
 
I got on the air and listened. I would get on the old novice frequencies and pick out letters and words. I would go down to the DX freqs and listen to fast code...without much success I might add. Hi Hi!
 
I finally took my test. I was nervous as I could be.  My palms were sweating, as I tried to copy and put down enough letters at 5 wpm to pass the tech +. I passed and finally got on the air. (I have since upgraded and became a 20 wpm extra).
 
However, if I had to wait till I could copy and send at 20 wpm or more, I would only be a phone op. Thank goodness I braved it and answered a CQ at about 5 or 7 wpm. Bottom line is this; All the computer based helpers such as G4FON's Koch method, Just Learn Morse, etc., tapes, and reading road signs, license plates, etc., are great, but until you take that first step, no matter what wpm, you really don't know how you will do with CW. 
 
Sure you will probably be nervous. Your palms will probably get sweatty. You will make mistakes. You will miss letters, and sometimes complete words. But you will be learning to copy and send. When you start missing too many letters, take a breath and wait until you hear a familiar letter, or maybe a punctuation mark. Then start copying again.  
 
There are lots of ops that send at 5 to 15 wpm or so, and they are all over the bands. Listen to a couple of qsos, and when you feel confident enough, or almost confident enough, give one a call when they sign off. Most will come back to you at your send speed. One thing though, don't send faster than you can copy. 
 
So get on the air. Make some contacts. have some fun. When you get tired and too nervous, take a break. I for one, would be happy to have a qso with you at 5 wpm. Listen on 40 meters, usually around 7.055 or 7.114, the SKCC freqs. 
 
Do most CW ops run more than 20 wpm? maybe so, but I can tell you that there are just as many, or maybe more, who send at 15 wpm or less. is it necessary to work CW at 20 wpm? Of course not. It is great to be able to work faster than 20 wpm, but it is not necessary to be able to do so to have fun. Remember, this is a HOBBY, and it is supposed to be FUN!
 
73, es hpe to wrk u soon de KC5GXL
Dan Harriman
Orange Texas
 
You can get more info on SKCC by going to their web page. http://www.skccgroup.com 
If at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky diving!

----- Original Message ----- 




From: Michiel Wories 
To: CW Reflector 
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 11:23 PM
Subject: [CW] How to get proficient in morse?




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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