[Lowfer] OT - the code

[WA2BPE]

When I first went through the throws of learning the code, I had a mental block
at 12 wpm - for 6 weeks and then it broke.  My next step was to quickly get
myself to the FCC test site (yes, the "old" way) which was an echo-prone room in
a cold, gray post office and the examiner (while decent) gave the impression that
you were dealing directly with God!  All folks do not learn code at the same rate
but there is no substitute for persistance.  Code is not the total answer as to
the qualifications of an operator, but is just one aspect of the "package" - I
have seen many very good CW guys who are technically weak and vice versa.  Then
there are those who can do it all!!

One hint while listening for practice is to have the volume loud enough to force
your mind to concentrate on only the cw (use cans).  And yes, as Ed says, try to
copy slightly above what you can copy solid - pick out what you can; the missing
will fill in with practice.  Patience, patience, patience...

73,

Tom - WA2BPE (original call)
"46 years of Amateur Radio 8/04 and proud of it!"


Ed Phillips wrote:

> Eric KD5UWL wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > I won't mention this again, I promise, but I feel I owe it to ANY of you
> > who have ever considered learning the code but haven't picked up the
> > challenge:
> >
> > I wanted to learn it for over 25 years but never tried.  I downloaded
> > Morse Academy (it's free - google for it) and had learned to recognize all
> > 43 characters in an hour - no kidding.  I did a little more practicing
> > with it later, and then haven't used the program again.  This was 14 days
> > ago.
> >
> > Since then I've just copied W1AW (both on the air and the internet) and
> > I'm nearly up to 10wpm now -- surely will be by the time I take the test.
> > Now I'm beginning to copy on air QSOs.
> >
> > This progress was made with (at most) practicing 15 minutes per day.
> >
> > I'm telling you this to encourage ANY of you (lurkers -- this is for you!
> > :) to give it a shot.  You'll amaze yourself.  It's dead simple -- as easy
> > as listening to someone talk.
> >
> > SK
> > Eric
>
>         Fifteen minutes to a half hour a day is just right.  Once you've "got
> it" at 10 WPM go on to higher speeds and prace at a speed just beyone
> comfort and you'll be amazed at how fast you progress.  Keep listening
> on the bottom end of 40 or 20 meters as you go and you'll start copying
> guys and get a kick out of it I'm sure.
>
> Ed
> _______________________________________________
> >From the Lowfer mailing list
> Send messages to: Lowfer@mailman.qth.net
> To sub/unsub visit: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/lowfer
> ---
> [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Information Boulevard's Virus Scanning]

---
[This E-mail scanned for viruses by Information Boulevard's Virus Scanning]