[Elecraft] Fwd: Re: [OT] increasing CW copy speed: practice slow -v- practice fast

Sun Dec 6 03:00:16 EST 2015

Bill,

We are not discussing entry level code learning.  We are discussing
increasing your code speed on receive.  And speed is vitally important !
K7QQ is not the only one that can copy high speed CW, there are many of
us out here.  Transitioning to higher speed copy can be done through
systematic and regular exercise.  I have been a CW operator for over
40 years and it wasn't until fairly late in the game that I accepted the
advice from several high speed ops on how to progress past mediocre copy
speed.  ( I will share this below)
First we need to realize there are two distinct types of training for
CW.  The first is developing your rote memorization skills for learning
the characters.  I recommend the Farnsworth method for this.  With
Farnsworth the characters are sent faster than the words.  For instance
at 10 wpm each character is sent at 20 wpm but enough time is added to
slow down the rate to 10 wpm.  The ARRL adopted this method years ago
for their morse code training materials and the W1AW morse
transmissions.  For example when W1AW is sending at 18 wpm the
characters are sent at 20 wpm.

Now to increase your speed you need to approach your training
differently. (which is the subject of Roberts
original post)  There are different variations of the training used to
increase your speed but they all have a
common denominator.  They all in some form or another introduce copying
at a faster speed (go figure)

Here is what I found to be most effective method for me I learned from
other ops.
Its great to spend time in the saddle copying QSO's in which your
current copying speed will allow, but to really increase your copying
speed you need to spend some time exercising your copying abilities each
day by practice copying ONLY at speeds faster than you can comfortably
copy.  You wont increase your copying speed by always copying at the
same comfortable speeds.  Practice at a speed where you are only able to
copy one or two characters in each word. Concentrate !!   Do this for
only 10 minutes each day.  If you are really concentrating you will find
10 minutes is about when you are ready to throw in the towel for the day
anyway Later on after you find you are able to copy about half of the
overall text then increase the speed back to where you can only copy one
or two characters in each word. (This isn't supposed to be easy this is
a training exercise.)
Try this only ten minutes a day and see what happens ! Also this needs
to be practiced regularly, every day and if you miss a day, no worries,
jump back in.   Many hams never improve their speed and are content when
they reach around 20 wpm max.  In many chasing DX and contest operating
CW activities it gives you an big advantage to be able to operate at
higher speeds.  We have all heard the high speed ops during a contest
and marvel at how fast their contacts go by.  It is great to be able to
match their speed and grab a contact !  Its not that difficult folks,
just 10 minutes a day of concentrated practice.  As you are gaining your
speed don't get frustrated over losing a word or words when you are in a
CW QSO and losing the intelligibility of the conversation,  that happens
to all of us and will be remedied when you copying speed is increased.
Lastly, you will with practice, increase your "comfortable" copy speed
to upwards of 30 to 35 wpm and more.
You will be able to really enjoy morse as a language.  You will sit
there and listen to sentences and
paragraphs go by in your head with complete understanding.  It is very
enjoyable !

73,
Bob
K6UJ

On 12/5/15 11:54 AM, Bill Rowlett wrote:
> The best way to learn CW is the same as learning any language, by the sound of the letters or charters. The speed you use to practice is not important, it is writing down the letter when heard, over and over again. K7QO has a CW program on his site which does just that. Also, it is finding the time and dedication to put in the time needed. K7QO by the way has won copy contest at over 100wpm, he knows what he speaks.
>
> Just my two cents. Now, back to the practice.
>
> 73 and good DX
>
> Bill  KC4ATU
>
>
> On Dec 5, 2015, at 2:37 PM, Kevin Stover<kevin.stover at mediacombb.net>  wrote:
>
>> I've always thought the Farnsworth method was directly responsible for the "10 wpm wall" newcomers were running into. Reading "The Art and Skill of Radio Telegraphy" Pierpont says the same thing. By stretching the time between words you give people more time to translate. if your going to copy Morse faster than about 10wpm you don't have time to translate. You have to know the character as soon as you hear it without using the look up table in your head. The Koch method has no exaggerated spacing between words or elements. You want to be proficient at 35 wpm, you practice with dit/dah and word speed set for 35 wpm.
>>
>> Building speed on the air is great as long as the code you are copying is "good" code meaning close to properly spaced and timed code. The nice thing about the computer programs is they send perfect code. With G4FON you can make it more realistic by adding QRM, QRN and QSB in varying levels. The only thing your missing is an old timer on his bug sending with the "Lake Erie Swing".
>>
>> --
>> R. Kevin Stover
>> AC0H
>> ARRL
>> FISTS #11993
>> SKCC #215
>> NAQCC #3441
>>
>>
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