[Hallicrafters] CW Training

[TC Dailey]

Okay, let me kick the horse for a while - I first learned Morse from the Boy 
Scout Handbook; it wasn't the RIGHT method, depending on symbols and 
visuals, more than sound.  You had to know it, as part of the requirements 
for First Class Scout.  Eventually, I got my hands on an AM/SW [sic] radio, 
then got a Heathkit AR-3.  None of it really got me off the ground, until I 
became a US Navy Radioman.  22wpm was required for completion of RM-A 
school, and "out in the Fleet", you got better, even though the STANDARD 
SPEED for "Fleet Broadcast" was 12wpm.  I even "taught" code for a bit, 
while in school, and the biggest piece of advice I can pass along, is that 
IF you're stumbling on a speed; go to the NEXT FASTEST STEP UP.  They're 
called a plateau, and everybody's got 'em.  Get past it, and you'll do 
better.  Also - copy about a letter or word BEHIND.  If you miss a 
character, big deal - unless it's a critical number, you can figure out what 
you missed, LATER.  USE the W1AW CW bcsts- they are STILL one of the best 
sources of practice (It INFURIATES me when people tune up around 7.0475 or 
14.0475, or worse - call CQ right on top of a SCHEDULED broadcast, that 
other folks are tying to copy!).  Hope this helps.

73 es ZUT (USCG unofficial "Z" signal for CW FOREVER!) - Tom W0EAJ