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

[Robert G Strickland]

Don...

For sure, individual differences make for a big difference, both in the 
rate of learning and the appropriateness of any one approach. I think we 
all agree that "stretching your current copying speed" is the only way 
to get faster. That's certainly my experience. I think my curiosity 
comes down to how much "stretch" is the sweet spot [individual 
difference aside]. Lots of stretch - few characters/words copied, versus 
some stretch - most characters/words copied.

Speaking of individual factors... I was just practicing with Rufz and 
noticed how long I "hang" on the first character which inevitably leads 
to subsequent errors. So, I pushed myself to almost "ignore" the first 
character and move right along. Overall error rate dropped 
significantly. So, yes, lots going on. Nothing beats practicing, for 
sure. Have a good day.

...robert

On 12/8/2015 01:46, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Robert,
>
> What is missing is that each person learns at a different level and
> pace.  Each of us has our brains "wired differently".
> In other words, what will work well for one person does not mean that it
> will work well for all.
> The quickest way to increasing CW speed is to get on the air and start
> copying stations that stretch your current copying speed.  In other
> words, push yourself to higher speeds even if you cannot copy everything.
> ARRL Code Practice is good up to 35 WPM, so try that, but on the air
> conversations may drop you back to 25 WPM because of CW being sent
> imperfectly.
> When you can copy imperfect code (from a bug or keyer without perfect
> spacing), then you have 'arrived'.
>
> There is no substitute for practice - I advocate the 10 minutes a day at
> trying to copy above your comfortable speed limit.  More time than that
> leads to frustration.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/7/2015 8:27 PM, Robert G Strickland wrote:
>> Bob's approach to increasing speed once a basic level of cw
>> proficiency has been achieved speak directly to my original thoughts
>> on the subject. Using a 5-letter group of random letters as the
>> practice message, then my question, in terms of Bob's approach, could
>> be stated as follows. Which is the quickest way to achieve some target
>> speed: to start the group at a speed where only one/two character are
>> correct, or to start where three/four are correct? I have no doubt
>> that with the regular and intense "concentration" that Bob advocates,
>> any method [within common sense limits] will result in higher copying
>> speed. That said, which starting point is going to get the operator to
>> the target speed the quickest? I don't know. Most of the folks who can
>> comfortably copy at speeds in excess of 30wpm seem to be from the "old
>> school" in that many learned in the military and have been at it a
>> very long time. I have to believe that their speed developed over time
>> with continuous usage/practice. Nothing beats time in the saddle. An
>> interesting "experiment" would be to take a bunch of hams who can copy
>> at 20wpm, divide them into the two approaches being discussed and
>> "measure" how long it takes each group to be comfortable at 30/35wpm.
>> A human factors issue is a person's task motivation and tolerance for
>> frustration. Starting with only one character correct out of five may
>> be pretty daunting for some and a piece of cake for others. But,
>> that's a separate issue.
>
>

-- 
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rcrgs at verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA