[Elecraft] Improving your cw (was the international treaty thing)

[Tom Hammond]

Tom:

>It's been a very long time since I could copy 20 wpm, but before too very
>long, will be back on the air with my new K2.  All I ever worked was CW, but
>after being off the air for decades, I am looking forward to renewing my CW
>skills.  (By the way, I helped in the 1970s to preserve the code test for
>amateurs, which now seems to be fading away.)
>
>Now, I have to figure out how to get back into the game and have fun while
>not being able to keep up with almost everyone that now works CW at speeds
>beyond my ability.  I guess there will be some who will put up with me until
>I can get the speed back up.

Don't be all that surprised to find that you speed (once well-learned) will 
come back up much more swiftly that you'd ever expect... regardless of 
personal age!

For those out there who are still working at improving their CW 
proficiency, DON'T GIVE UP!

All of us who have already 'been there' had to go thru a protracted period 
of 'Man, I'll NEVER learn this stuff', and "How in the WORLD can ANYONE 
copy THAT speed?".

It takes time, dedication, and most of all, doing it over and over, until 
it becomes second nature... something you no longer have to really 'think' 
about... you just 'know' what's being sent and you no longer have to work 
at copying it.

Generally, it won't come quickly, and in most instances, it won't come 
terribly easily, but it WILL come, and once you get past about 20 WPM, 
it'll come a LOT more rapidly that you'd think. Especially if you continue 
to get ON THE AIR and USE your new-found abilities.

Hang in there, baby... you're now on your way!

73,

Tom Hammond   N0SS