[Elecraft] Learning Morse Code

[David Bunte]

Tom -

I can't handle the higher speeds at which Jim is comfortable, but his
suggestions are excellent. I think I stopped writing down stuff by the time
I approached 15 wpm... except, of course Callsigns, names and QTH because I
wanted those in my log... sometimes I will make other notes in the log to
recall in future QSOs. By the time I got to 20 WPM I had to look for a
paper and pencil if I wanted to write something down... as I put all the
other stuff right into my logging program.

Just getting on the air and making QSOs has helped my speed more than
anything else. Finding someone with whom to chew the rag... not only helps
code speed, I think it makes the hobby even more enjoyable.

Best of luck es 73 de Dave - K9FN

On Sat, Dec 28, 2019 at 11:26 PM Tom McCulloch <thom2 at att.net> wrote:

> I agree, we all learn by the method our Elmer taught us.  Mine was the
> A,W,J method at 5 WPM.
>
> I've been a CW guys almost exclusively and found 15 wpm to be my
> personal comfort zone...However I have a question for those higher speed
> guys out there.  At what speed would you say you start hearing complete
> words rather than the individual letters and as a result you could
> pretty much copy in your head (Jim said he doesn't write anything over
> 20 WPM).  To me that's aweome (also unachievable..hi)
>
> Thanks
>
> Tom WB2QDG
>
> K2 # 1103 (I think)
>
> On 12/28/2019 12:08 PM, Jim Danehy wrote:
> > Everyone has an opinion on how to learn Morse Code. My skill with CW
> probably comes from longevity. Closing in on 70 years of using Morse Code.
> Certainly mostly hit and miss. I once wrote here that I could copy quite
> fast. Then the posts of bragging. That was not my intention. Credibility
> counts. You establish that with facts.
> >
> > We all start with a blank sheet. We learned to talk as babies. That
> takes a good year plus. There really is no difference between learning to
> decode speech and CW. They both are sounds. They both are methods of
> communication. Reflect on that for just a moment or two.
> >
> > Converting sound ! When I hear 2 people conversing in a language that I
> do not know it is just sound. That also occurs when CW is heard by someone
> who does not know CW.
> >
> > A baby does not learn to read for about 5 years after they learn to
> converse in a language. That is why I do not recommend using sight to learn
> CW. You may disagree.
> >
> > I can not recall how long ago it was but I do not write down CW. I do
> not write down my conversations in spoken language.
> >
> > Most people learn CW at slow speeds. They need to write so that they can
> retain what the sender is attempting to communicate. At 5 wpm you would
> lose the flow of the attempted conversation unless you made notes.
> >
> > So writing is OK at slower speeds. The goal is to increase your speed to
> a point where you do not lose what the conversation is about. That occurs
> differently for all of us. I would opine that above 20 wpm you should wean
> yourself off of writing down what you are hearing.
> >
> > The ARRL  has archived their Code Practice files that have been sent
> over the air. They start at 5 wpm. The increase in 5 words per minute I
> recall. They go up to 40  wpm too. They are archived in MP3 format. They
> also have a companion text file. Check their website.
> >
> > It took me a long time to reach where I find myself today. In the 1st
> paragraph I wrote 70 years. Yes I am going to be 82. All I use is CW. I
> have software that allows me to convert text to CW. I have a library of MP
> 3 files that start at 40 and go up to 60. I practice several times a month.
> At QRQ Speeds you learn to copy entire words.
> > Most can not copy QRQ but that is just a fact. It takes practice. I
> believe using the ARRL archives a normal Ham should be able to reach
> copying 20 wpm in a few months. Get rid of the pencil and paper at some
> point. You don’t converse with others writing down what you hear from
> someone. If a baby can learn to talk in a year you can do CW at 20 in a
> year.
> >
> > Just do it
> >
> > 73
> > Jim W9VNE/VA3VNE
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to thom2 at att.net
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to dpbunte at gmail.com