The key point about the Koch method is that you learn one letter at a time
at 'full speed' and thereby avoid the 'plateau' that typically occurs at
around 8-10wpm if you learn all the letters really slowly, and then try to
build up speed.
I think there are two separate questions: (1) what is the best speed at
which to learn using Koch; and (2) what speed is practicable for
contesting. It's helpful to separate these, as writing the letters down
while learning using Koch is going to be tough (or impossible) at a
realistic contest speed.
My advice is to learn using the G4FON or DJ1YFK software at 18wpm, with no
Farnsworth gaps. That way, you're learning using the right rhythm of
characters, but you're also learning at a speed well above the plateau
speed while still being at a speed at which you can write the letters
down. Using the Koch method, you're developing a reflex, from day one, so
that you don't go through the mental translation process but you build the
reflex so that as soon as you hear 'di-di-dah-dit' you *know* it's F
without having to think about it.
Once you've mastered all the letters and numbers at 18wpm, you'll be able
to do some contesting. Higher up the band, people tend to CQ slower and
you can take as long as you like to get the call. Once you're solid at
18wpm with the reflex to copy CW, you'll find that you'll be able to copy
someone CQing at 24, 28 even 30wpm by listening several times to the call.
If it's a contest like CQWW where the exchange is (almost) redundant, once
you've copied the callsign you're almost there! Program the F2 key with
your exchange, the F4 key with your callsign, and you can S+P without
having to touch the keyer. You'll be amazed how much your Morse speed will
have improved by the end of the contest.
Dave G4BUO
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