I have about half the alphabet down at 5 WPM. But I don't think I am going to
have enough time. Test is next Sat. I think I need more practice.

Vinnie S.

I have about half the alphabet down at 5 WPM. But I don't think I am going to
have enough time. Test is next Sat. I think I need more practice.

Don't it suck that the rest of the world takes the provisions of WRC'03
to hand quickly, while our own country takes it's good old time, while
blessing BPL. Something that all the other countries have said "no" to.

This from the country that drives on a parkway and parks on a driveway!

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 02:14:36 -0500, Scott wrote:

I have about half the alphabet down at 5 WPM. But I don't think I am going to
have enough time. Test is next Sat. I think I need more practice.

Don't it suck that the rest of the world takes the provisions of WRC'03
to hand quickly, while our own country takes it's good old time, while
blessing BPL. Something that all the other countries have said "no" to.

This from the country that drives on a parkway and parks on a driveway!


It's doesn't matter to me. I won't use it, and have no interest in it. You can
learn it fairly easily at 5 wpm. Just not in the time I have to pass the test. I
probablt need closer to a month of practice. I have only had about 1 solid week.

What they should do is make it optional for code people, and give a real test.
Then you can only transmit code if you take the test. But I don't want to wait
that long.

Vinnie S.

What they should do is make it optional for code people, and give a real test.
Then you can only transmit code if you take the test. But I don't want to wait
that long.


CW should have it's own bandspace, not invaded by other weak signal modes.
It shouldn't be forced on us to use HF, but I don't see it going away.

To those that want to pound brass, more power to 'ya!

From: (Scott)
Vincent parted with:
I have about half the alphabet down at 5
WPM. But I don't think I am going to have
enough time. Test is next Sat. I think I need
more practice.

(Don't it suck that the rest of the world takes the provisions of WRC'03
to hand quickly, while our own country takes it's good old time, while
blessing BPL. Something that all the other countries have said "no" to.
This from the country that drives on a parkway and parks on a driveway!
)




..where we keep thousands of dollars worth of vehicles in our driveways
and fill our garages with junk.

Vinnie S. wrote:
I have about half the alphabet down at 5 WPM. But I don't think I am going to
have enough time. Test is next Sat. I think I need more practice.

Vinnie S.

There is no substitute for being prepared, but take the test anyway.

Years ago, the only way to pass the CW tests was to have one full
minute of solid copy on your copy sheet. Now, you can pass the CW
test two ways. If you have one full minute of solid copy, your done.
However if you don't, you can take the 10 question test. You may have
copied enough characters to guess at the answers. The process of
elimination will help you on many of them. Get a copy of Morse
Academy, if you don't already have it. The built in sample tests
are exactly the same as the real test. If I remember correctly, you
only have to get 7 out of 10 to pass. The odds are in your favor.

I have seen people pass the 13 and 20 WPM tests with only a smattering
of characters on their copy sheet. For me, The key was to be able to
copy a little bit faster than the required speed. That way I was
comfortable with the testing speed. Some people come by CW naturally,
but for me, it took a long time to get to the needed speeds. But
then, no one has to worry about the 13 and 20 WPM tests any more.

Just try to be calm and realize that it's not the end of the world
if you fail. Get the certificates for the tests you do pass and
go back the next testing session. Some testing stations will even
let you try again, after a short rest to collect your thoughts.

And don't discount using CW, when you finally get your license. It's
a fun mode to use, just like any other mode. The more you use it,
the better you get at it, and the more fun you have. And that's what
it's all about, having fun.

--
Martin E. Meserve - K7MEM
http://www.k7mem.com
(remove _nospam_ from my email to reply)

On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 06:52:49 -0700, K7MEM wrote:


Years ago, the only way to pass the CW tests was to have one full
minute of solid copy on your copy sheet. Now, you can pass the CW
test two ways. If you have one full minute of solid copy, your done.
However if you don't, you can take the 10 question test. You may have
copied enough characters to guess at the answers. The process of
elimination will help you on many of them. Get a copy of Morse
Academy, if you don't already have it. The built in sample tests
are exactly the same as the real test. If I remember correctly, you
only have to get 7 out of 10 to pass. The odds are in your favor.

I have seen people pass the 13 and 20 WPM tests with only a smattering
of characters on their copy sheet. For me, The key was to be able to
copy a little bit faster than the required speed. That way I was
comfortable with the testing speed. Some people come by CW naturally,
but for me, it took a long time to get to the needed speeds. But
then, no one has to worry about the 13 and 20 WPM tests any more.

Just try to be calm and realize that it's not the end of the world
if you fail. Get the certificates for the tests you do pass and
go back the next testing session. Some testing stations will even
let you try again, after a short rest to collect your thoughts.

And don't discount using CW, when you finally get your license. It's
a fun mode to use, just like any other mode. The more you use it,
the better you get at it, and the more fun you have. And that's what
it's all about, having fun.


I am using morse academy. I have passed the practice tests for tech, no problem.
The General, I got 19 out of 35, without once even looking at a book. If I could
somehow pass morse and get 7 more correct answers in general. Otherwise, I will
just wait. Thanks !

Vinnie S.

Vinnie from one who has taught Morse code to many students:

FOR MANY -- studying EVERY day for 15 to 30 minutes is successful. Leaving
long periods between study sessions is usually counter-productive. Studying
for long periods at a session - frazzles many a brain.

Most people's problems with the code stem from trying to learn it too fast
without sufficient drilling before they move on to each new letter. The
average person needs about 30 hours of study and practice on the code to hit
5 wpm. Now this is an average. Some will take longer and some will take
less." So a half hour in the morning, a half hour in the evening and in a
month -- you should have it.

Good Luck and kudos on your dedication -- it will be worth while.


--
Lamont Cranston



"Vinnie S." wrote in message
...
On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 06:52:49 -0700, K7MEM
wrote:


I am using morse academy. I have passed the practice tests for tech, no
problem.
The General, I got 19 out of 35, without once even looking at a book. If I
could
somehow pass morse and get 7 more correct answers in general. Otherwise, I
will
just wait. Thanks !

Vinnie S.

I took a little bit different approach. First of all, I learned the letters
A to Z and 1 through 0. Next, I had a computer generate the letters from A
to Z and 1 through 0 at 20, 25, and 30WPM. After about 3 minutes at each
speed, I had the computer generate random characters at 25WPM. I eliminated
one step of the learning process by not trying to write the characters down;
this allowed my brain to have the sounds imprinted in me.
After this, I took the advice of a 30WPM fellow...........as I would be
driving down the highway, I would pronounce the names of the different road
signs in Morse Code. I would only do this by myself, so that somebody
wouldn't have me carted off to some unpleasant place!
Anyway, two weeks later, I took my 5WPM test and passed it. Five weeks after
that, I took my 13WPM test. After using this learning technique, the 13WPM
test sounded like it was going in slow motion............my copy speed was
more in the 18WPM range, but not quite 20WPM. Give this technique a try and
you will be amazed at the results. Good luck!

Pete

I took my 5WPM test two weeks later............5 weeks after that, I passed
my 13WPM test for the General class license.
"Señor Sombra" wrote in message
news:nW_Vd.43987$xt.16268@fed1read07...
Vinnie from one who has taught Morse code to many students:

FOR MANY -- studying EVERY day for 15 to 30 minutes is successful. Leaving
long periods between study sessions is usually counter-productive.
Studying for long periods at a session - frazzles many a brain.

Most people's problems with the code stem from trying to learn it too fast
without sufficient drilling before they move on to each new letter. The
average person needs about 30 hours of study and practice on the code to
hit 5 wpm. Now this is an average. Some will take longer and some will
take less." So a half hour in the morning, a half hour in the evening and
in a month -- you should have it.

Good Luck and kudos on your dedication -- it will be worth while.


--
Lamont Cranston



"Vinnie S." wrote in message
...
On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 06:52:49 -0700, K7MEM
wrote:


I am using morse academy. I have passed the practice tests for tech, no
problem.
The General, I got 19 out of 35, without once even looking at a book. If
I could
somehow pass morse and get 7 more correct answers in general. Otherwise,
I will
just wait. Thanks !

Vinnie S.

Like Pete, I suggest similar... DO road signs, hell... do the shampoo bottle
label, ingredients and all - in code - as taking a shower. I do not suggest
any more than 15 minutes a day, it can drive you bonkers or bore you - which
ever out look you take. Read a magazine in "code". You'll be humming right
along before you know it.
cl

"Pete KE9OA" wrote in message
...
I took a little bit different approach. First of all, I learned the letters
A to Z and 1 through 0. Next, I had a computer generate the letters from A
to Z and 1 through 0 at 20, 25, and 30WPM. After about 3 minutes at each
speed, I had the computer generate random characters at 25WPM. I eliminated
one step of the learning process by not trying to write the characters
down; this allowed my brain to have the sounds imprinted in me.
After this, I took the advice of a 30WPM fellow...........as I would be
driving down the highway, I would pronounce the names of the different
road signs in Morse Code. I would only do this by myself, so that somebody
wouldn't have me carted off to some unpleasant place!
Anyway, two weeks later, I took my 5WPM test and passed it. Five weeks
after that, I took my 13WPM test. After using this learning technique, the
13WPM test sounded like it was going in slow motion............my copy
speed was more in the 18WPM range, but not quite 20WPM. Give this
technique a try and you will be amazed at the results. Good luck!

Pete

I took my 5WPM test two weeks later............5 weeks after that, I
passed my 13WPM test for the General class license.
"Señor Sombra" wrote in message
news:nW_Vd.43987$xt.16268@fed1read07...
Vinnie from one who has taught Morse code to many students:

FOR MANY -- studying EVERY day for 15 to 30 minutes is successful.
Leaving long periods between study sessions is usually
counter-productive. Studying for long periods at a session - frazzles
many a brain.

Most people's problems with the code stem from trying to learn it too
fast without sufficient drilling before they move on to each new letter.
The average person needs about 30 hours of study and practice on the code
to hit 5 wpm. Now this is an average. Some will take longer and some
will take less." So a half hour in the morning, a half hour in the
evening and in a month -- you should have it.

Good Luck and kudos on your dedication -- it will be worth while.


--
Lamont Cranston



"Vinnie S." wrote in message
...
On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 06:52:49 -0700, K7MEM
wrote:


I am using morse academy. I have passed the practice tests for tech, no
problem.
The General, I got 19 out of 35, without once even looking at a book. If
I could
somehow pass morse and get 7 more correct answers in general. Otherwise,
I will
just wait. Thanks !

Vinnie S.