[Fists] Re: CW speed debate

[Roy Crosier]

I also find myself slowly changing to digital
modes
because I cannot get my code speed up above 15
WPM.  While I have always found FISTS members
willing
to slow down for me, I am beginning to give up on
myself.
I am not depressed, but I am embarassed that my
many
hours of practice with every imaginable system
and 
device on the planet has not produced more speed.
 
I don't think I'm dumb--my IQ is 135 and I have
two 
college degrees.  I don't think it is a lack of
"musical"
ability--I play four instruments well enough to
sit in
on any community orchestra, and two of my
children
are professional quality musicians.  I don't
think my
problem is a lack of tenacity because I have
worked
all states QRP on phone.  I do have a problem
socially
in that I frequently take things too literally
and don't
"catch" jokes the first time through.  While that
might
sound as if I'm a little "air-headed", I'll have
to admit
that I might be!  I have wondered if there is a
connection
either psychologically or in the functioning of
the brain
that makes a person who is overly "literal" in
their verbal
conversations also be unable to let CW flow
through their 
mind at the higher rates.  Possibly I "analyze"
it too 
much and thus stay under the 15 WPM limit.

Putting it simply, I never seem to be able to get
to a
conversational level of CW speed and ease.  I
love CW contests because I can listen for as many
times as I want to get the exchange and other
information, then make a contact and be done with
it.  I would love to get into 
long, friendly QSOs with CW, but my mind tires of
it
too fast and I then I can't copy anything.  I
suppose that
at the age of 55 I should just accept it and move
on,
but CW proficency is one of the things that I
have dreamed
of having since I was a child observing my
uncle/elmer
at the key.

If anyone has any observations or comments on the
situation, I will accept all suggestions.

73,  Roy  

KV8KV at ARRL.NET