From: rbono@necis.UUCP (Rich)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Morse code upgrading
Date: 11 Dec 92 19:32:33 GMT
Organization: still seeking it

In article <1992Dec10.050057.16749@panix.com>, oppedahl@panix.com (Carl Oppedahl) wrote:
> In <9212081901.AA18926@icarus.weber.edu> jhigbee@icarus.weber.EDU (Jonathan C. Higbee) writes:
> 
>>Is anyone aware of a proven system for increasing CW reception speed ability going
>>all the way from 0-22 wpm?
> 
>>I have some MSDOS based Morse Code trainers, but none seems to describe a good
>>proven mothodology for positive progress - they make suggestions, but whether their
>>suggestions will pan out is unknown.
> 
>>I realize that one problem with pre-recorded cassettes is that you can start
>>to memorize them after a while. I don't have access to an HF rig so can't spend
>>hours doing listening to CW qusos. 
> 
>>Is a shareware program available with a proven method as indicated?
> 
> I recommend Super Morse, which is shareware at $15.  It is what got me to
> my Extra class.


  Or a copy of AutoCW... it is absolutely FREE. ;-)
  And, it took my wife from 0 to passing her Extra!!


  I have the following methodology to offer.  It *will* work, but as with
most things in life, it may not work for everyone.

1) Your progress is directly porportional to the amount of practice that
   you put in.  Two practice sessions a DAY of about 15-30 minutes each
   will go a long way (one in the morning, and one in the evening).  If
   you can practice more, while still making progress, than that is fine.

2) During practice, it is of prime importance to write what you copy.  This
   assumes that you are trying to pass a Morse exam.  If you can copy in
   your head, and make notes of every fact that you hear, then you can
   resort to simply writing these facts.  But *most* people can't do this
   without a *lot* of practice and experience.  So if you want to pass the
   exam, you must write down the code as you hear it.

3) Practice missing characters.  This sounds strange, but you must not
   worry about copying every character.  What usually happens is that you
   hear some code that you don't immediately recognize, then you start to
   think about it.  By the time that you make up your mind on what you have
   heard two to ten characters have gone by, and you entirely MISSED these!!
   So you must practice the following technique:  If you don't immediatly
   recognize the Morse character that you just heard, clear your mind and
   get ready for the next one.  This will keep you from missing several
   characters because you were straining to remember one.
 
4) Use the so called "Farnsworth" code spacing.  This is what the ARRL uses
   for their VE Morse exams.  For the 5 and 13 word per minute exams, the
   speed of each character is sent at 18 words per minute.  The spacing
   between characters is increased to create an overall rate of 5 or 13 WPM.
   The 20 WPM code exam is sent at a 'straight' 20 WPM rate (where both
   the characters and the space between them are a constant 20 WPM). 

   This will keep you from experiencing the so-called "humps" or barriers
   that seem to occur as the speed is increased.  It *REALLY* works!

5) Use a minimum of code tapes to practice.  People really do memorize
   these things, without even realizing it.  I have seen many people who
   think that they have learned to copy 20 WPM Morse code because they can
   copy their tapes.  But if they are required to copy something that they
   are NOT familliar with, they can barely copy any of it.
   Use either a computer program that can provide you with endless text to
   copy, or get some on-the-air practice.

6) When operating on the air... don't just have contacts with people that
   you know.  Have contacts with a *lot* of random stations.  This will
   help you by assuring you don't get used to your friends sending style.

7) Spend a significant amount of time copying code that is too FAST for
   you to get 100% copy.  Remember, most people are trying to INCREASE
   your copying speed.  Don't simply practice with 5, 13, or 20 WPM rates.
   Even practice copying code where you only get about 10%.  This will help
   you in many area's... including 'missing characters' (see #3 above).


  Well, this is getting long....

 Good luck,

  Rich 
-- 
 /**************************************************************************\
 * Rich Bono                     IMRICH         UUCP:rbono@necis.ma.nec.com * 
 * (508) 635-6300                 NM1D          AMPR: nm1d@nm1d.nh.usa.noam * 
 \**************************************************************************/