[UK-CONTEST] Improving CW Capability

[Dave Sergeant]

On 30 Mar 2007 at 12:26, G3SXW wrote:

> 
> [SXW comment] Perhaps this helps to describe the problem of accurately
> transferring a call-sign into the log-book and our multi-tasking
> ability.  I suspect that Dr Fiez is right that there's considerable
> variability in the ability of CW operators in this way. This article
> doesn't suggest how to improve our 'echoic storage' ability, merely to
> understand it. Maybe it's a brain-training issue, but perhaps Morse
> could help as a brain-training tool. 73 de Roger/G3SXW.
> 

It probably also explains that strange situation that sometimes 
happens to me in a contest. Sometimes I work a station and am not 
sure that I have got the call correct so listen for him to send it 
again. Virtually every time I have actually typed it in correctly the 
first time. Presumably the call is kept in my brain long enough while 
I type it then promptly forgets it again.

When copying plain language morse I definitely store whole words and 
even parts of sentences and am very rarely aware of the individual 
characters never mind about the dots and dashes. The human brain is 
quite remarkable and CW really is just another language once you have 
got over the initial hurdles.

The Koch and similar methods are fine for those initially learning 
morse but I suspect Stewart is rather past that stage now, so there 
is probably no better way than simply using it on the air, backed up 
with Rufz and similar aids.

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com