[Fists] Code Buddy Coordinator Gets Unusual Request

[YoDoc@aol.com]

In a message dated 01/30/2004 5:19:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
fists-request@mailman.qth.net writes:

<< 
 Yesterday I received a question from a fellow who is as concerned about 
 the quality of his sending as about his ability to copy code. He asked 
 if there is anything we can recommend for him, a beginner, to do working 
 alone. The only thing I've come up with is to have him record himself 
 sending prepared text, then listen to it and copy it down.  I sent him a 
 kudo just for being concerned about this. I wish more people were!
 
 Any other ideas on how to practice sending?
 
 73
 Nick K3NY  FISTS Nr 3549 >>

Nick:

Absolutely!  Tell him to get a set of paddles and an electronic keyer, and
start using them as early in the code-learning process as possible.  Iambic 
keying is not difficult at all -- I taught it to myself with absolutely no 
outside help other than reading a few articles about it.  The immediate advantage 
is that you are instantly sending (and hearing) perfectly-formed Morse code 
characters.  Like many others, I originally started with a straight key, but 
then received a Heathkit u-Matic "touch paddle" keyer as a Christmas present.  I 
assembled the kit, and it worked perfectly the first time (something I wasn't 
used to with Heathkits).  The capacative touch-sensitive paddles worked 
flawlessly, and my code speed (sending and receiving) took a significant jump within 
a few days of starting to use it on-the-air.  Moreover, getting accostomed to 
sending "perfect" Morse code also improved my sending with the straight key, 
since I now knew what everything I was sending was supposed to sound like.  
More on that later.

Another trick which improves sending are simple relaxation techniques.  
Taking a few deep breaths before starting to send, perhaps a few Yoga-like 
stretches, and making a point of keeping the shoulders relaxed is a big factor in 
being able to send well.  Whenever we are tense, we tend to tighten up our 
shoulder muscles, which is part of the stress-related "fight or flight" reflex.  When 
we relax that we do a lot better at things which require manual dexterity as 
opposed to brute strength.  Shoulder-relaxation techniques are a big part of 
the training of competitive shooters, and I know from personal experience, it 
also works with sending Morse code.  

Another technique I recommend is "sending by ear."  Actually getting
yourself to listen to what you're sending, while you're sending it, is a big
factor in getting it to be readable on the other end.  Again, using "perfect" 
sent code as a practice tool, whether it be sending on a paddle/keyer, 
listening to W1AW code-practice bulletins, or tapes/CD's, is the best way to
ensure that you will be sending at least as well as you're copying.  

I hope that these suggestions helped.

73 de Larry, K3LT
FISTS 2008, CC 703