[UK-CONTEST] Improving CW Capability

[Cooper, Stewart]

Thanks for all the replies and help. Like Peter here, I read the dots and dashes, translate them, type them in. I can do this quite fast if it's just callsigns, and I'm not tired. I thought there might be an 'easy' way of improving, but I pretty much knew the answer - practice make perfect. I haven't ever reached the point hwere I can hear whole words, but that's where I want to be.

I like N5KO's post (http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/CQ-Contest/1996-02/msg00580.html) where he said (with regard to contest operating):
o Know the code.  50 WPM conversational is a nice milestone --
  note:  don't try this at home with pencil and paper.

I do find listening to the likes of K7QO's MP3 files is worthwhile though, as I really don't want to have to rag-chew with anyone just to improve my CW!
73
Stewart
GM4AFF

-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Peter Bowyer
Sent: 30 March 2007 13:08
To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Improving CW Capability


That strikes a chord for me. When I'm tired I often find myself
remembering the dots and dashes for a split second while the next bit
of the processing chain translates thenm into letters, then hand
movements in order to get the call into the log. When I'm on form, the
intermediate step of needing to identify the letter shrinks to almost
nothing, and the dot/dash pattern sends my fingers in the right
direction on the keyboard. Then there's the stage of looking at what
you just typed to see if it makes sense.....

As for Stewart's question - I don't know of any technque for improving
competent CW other than practice - MorseRunner etc are a good
substitute for the real thing. If there were a magic pill, I'd be
first in the queue - my CW is just about good enough for busy
contesting/DXpeditioning but I'd love it to be much better.

Peter G4MJS


--
Peter Bowyer
Email: peter at bowyer.org
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