[CW] Bug to Keyer to Bug

Tue Oct 11 13:42:58 EDT 2011

Dave,

I went back to using, also, a bug about 6 years ago, but had a 3 year break
and I am back at it.  Besides practising, I have not figured out a way 
to make
it effortless.  I am getting better at switching between the keyer and 
the bug
and back again.  I am slowly becoming better at it.  I believe one thing 
that is
holding me back is I am not a proficient with the bug as I am with the 
keyer.
I noticed when I am cruising at 35 WPM with the keyer and switch to the
bug, which might be at 20-25 WPM, I have more problems.  But, it is all
coming together, slowly.

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 10/11/2011 9:13 AM, Dave wrote:
> 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?
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