[CW] Farnsworth Method

[Richard Knoppow]

     For quite a long time the Farsworth method of teaching Morse 
code has been considered the best. I am writing because I 
question that. The Farnsworth method is to send each letter at 
the "target" speed but space out the letters to the teaching 
speed. In general, letters are sent no slower than 15 WPM at an 
speed slower than 15 WPM. All sources of practice code I can find 
on the web or on the air use this method as do the practice 
programs I've found for running on a computer (such as the Kotch 
trainer). I practice pretty much ever day. I have come to the 
conclusion that, at least for me, this is not a good way of 
getting the code into your head and that it presents a distorted 
idea of the rhythm for sending. Also, in practice, where one is 
sending slowly because of poor radio conditions, it does not 
really help because the quickly sent letters are no easier to 
read than they would be were the entire thing sent at the letter 
speed.
     This is probably heresy but I am too old and too much an 
opinionated curmudgeon to care.
     I wonder what the thoughts of others on this list are since 
we are a group who use Morse (or Continental to be precise), 
including not a few who have made their livings at it in the past.
     For some reason being good at Morse is important to me. I 
will never be a champion but want to get as good at it as I am 
capable. I think there are golfers who feel the same way.
-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL