[Elecraft] Farnsworth Method

[Tom Childers, N5GE]

On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:31:28 -0700, you wrote:

>Over the years I've spoken with many Hams who were unable to break through
>to decent CW proficiency until they encountered the Farnsworth method. Until
>I actually got on the air and was "talking" with CW, it was hard for me too.
>For their success, I'm happy to see the Farnsworth method practiced. 
>
>Success with Farnsworth code requires TWO steps be completed. I've run into
>many Hams who are frustrated to the point of quitting CW because they only
>completed the first step. 
>
>The first step is to be able to read individual characters at some chosen
>target speed. To do that, relatively large spaces are left between
>characters - long enough for the brain to finally go "Aha!" and recognize
>each character before the next one is sent. 
>
>The second step is to reduce the spaces between characters to match the
>target speed, so the CW flows properly. Just as there's the important 3:1
>ratio between dits and dahs, there are equally important ratios between
>elements, characters and words.
>
[snip]

A lot of Farnsworth learners never catch onto the rhythm part of it.

They did not use the Farnsworth method in the U.S. Army when I learned Morse
Code in 1962.  One of the hardest things for me to learn after (and during) my
training was to copy clear text, because all of our practice was with five
character groups (five characters and a space, then five more and a space,
etc.).  When someone threw a space in after the fourth character or sixth
character, it would really mess me up ;o)  I have the same problem now with
"Farnsworth Senders" who put too much space between words and characters.  It
usually ends up being a short QSO.

In the military classes we had phrases that were designed to help us recognize
individual characters.  "Grandma did it" was for 'Z',  "The Darned Old Jay" was
for 'J' and "Pay Day Today" was for 'Q'.

One will never learn to head copy if they don't throw away the spacing learned
from the Farnsworth method and learn the sound (rhythm) of real Morse Code.
Copying in the head is when rag chewing really becomes quite satisfying.

Tom, N5GE - SWOT 3537 - Grid EM12jq

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