[CQ-Contest] Learning Morse

[rick at eversoles.com]

> Hello, All:

I have been working off and on learning code. From all the research and
studies I have seen, there are two basic considerations for learning code
for contesting:

  1) Learning to type... this is critical to high speed code.
      Get one of the many typing tutors. Pratice typing and
      get to 30wpm+

  2) On code speed, the actual number is not important, run
     the Farnsworth coding with 30wpm (or even 35 or 40) and
     spacing such that you do not have time to replay the
     exchange in your head... if you find yourself hearing
     the exchange a second time you have too much spacing
     go faster.  And use Koch method.
     Going slower just sets you up for a block latter.
     On the speed side, if you can actually count the
     dits and dahs then it is too slow, go faster.

    Oh and even though you do not actually know the code,
    try S&P with DM780 (Part of Ham Radio Deluxe) during
    an actual CW contest. Spend a few hours at the radio
    and you will find that you start knowing certain codes
    and key exchange parts. DM780 is not perfect and you
    will find after about 3 hours you may be able to do
    a better job on the harder calls that DM780 gives funny
    values to... especially for simple exchanges that use 599.

Rick "The Rhino" N6RNO
>
> I have been unable to get past 15 or 16 WPM.  I can't hand print fast
> enough, and trying to type without error which would create busted calls
> hasn't been any faster.
>
> Copying in my head is a little better, but I can't get the characters into
> a
> log any faster.
>
> It seems to me that copying in my head is not much use in a contest, since
> it all has to get from my ear to the paper to count.
>
> What am I missing here?
>
> Thanks and 73.
> Rusty, NA5TR
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris Kantarjiev" <cak at dimebank.com>
> To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 2:49 AM
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Learning Morse
>
>
>>I used the G4FON software to learn Morse a few years back (I got
>> my General when the 5WPM test was still a requirement). I
>> wrote up my experiences here:
>>
>> http://www.dimebank.com/cak/k6dbg/k6dbg_cw.html
>>
>> The recommendation at the time was to start at 20/15 - 20WPM symbol
>> speed, 15WPM character speed. I found that frustrating while
>> learning the alphabet, and dropped back to 20/7.
>>
>> I wouldn't recommend that you do that. It got me past the test,
>> it got me on the air, but it took me a long time to get to be
>> functional at 20WPM on the air; the "mental spacing" provided by
>> the 7WPM character speed left me lots of time to build the
>> dreaded "lookup table" in my brain. I recognize the symbols at
>> higher speeds, but I can't necessarily make them make sense.
>>
>> Since you're interested in doing this for contesting, I'd say that you
>> should start at 25/25 and just keep at it until you make progress.
>> Don't write by hand, but instead keyboard while copying.
>>
>> Once you're comfortable with the alphabet, work on head copy.
>>
>> And, by all means, get on the air. That's where the real learning
>> happens.
>>
>> 73 de chris K6DBG
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>
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