Dear All,

Does anyone have any tips for learning Morse using the Kock method? I'm using
the "CW trainer" program and it's working... kind of.

I am learning at 25wpm. I find I can identify the sounds of the letters no
problem at this speed, so it's working from that point of view.

However, I can't physically write that fast! By the time I get one letter
written another three have gone by. I can "buffer" them a little but even so
after writing down a few letters I'm hopelessly behind.

It's very discouraging. Any hints?

Cheers,

Andrew


--
--
Andrew Crawford
Email: acrawford at ieee . org
Note: sender verification in use.

"Andrew Crawford" wrote in message
...
Dear All,

Does anyone have any tips for learning Morse using the Kock method? I'm
using
the "CW trainer" program and it's working... kind of.

I am learning at 25wpm. I find I can identify the sounds of the letters no
problem at this speed, so it's working from that point of view.

However, I can't physically write that fast! By the time I get one letter
written another three have gone by. I can "buffer" them a little but even
so
after writing down a few letters I'm hopelessly behind.

It's very discouraging. Any hints?

Cheers,

Andrew

At speeds in excess of 20wpm (the limit on how fast the typical person can
write), you will need to either copy on word processing software (or old
fashioned typewriter) or learn to copy in your head.

However here are some things that can help a bit. Use script (cursive) not
printing. Printing is far too slow, especially block letters. Also don't
worry about neat as that also slows you down.

Set the letter speed at 20 or 25wpm but set the word speed at about 15wpm.
Your brain may still be lagging slightly on identifying the letters and may
need a slightly larger gap between them until you get more practice.

Also strive to simply write the letter without even thinking the letter
name. If you think of the letter name, it will slow you down. You want
this to be an automatic reflex.

A program that I prefer for the Koch method is the G4FON software. It is
available for free download from the internet at http://www.g4fon.co.uk/


Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"Dee D. Flint" wrote in message
...

"Andrew Crawford" wrote in message
...
Dear All,

Does anyone have any tips for learning Morse using the Kock method? I'm
using
the "CW trainer" program and it's working... kind of.

I am learning at 25wpm. I find I can identify the sounds of the letters
no
problem at this speed, so it's working from that point of view.

However, I can't physically write that fast! By the time I get one
letter
written another three have gone by. I can "buffer" them a little but
even
so
after writing down a few letters I'm hopelessly behind.

It's very discouraging. Any hints?

Cheers,

Andrew

...Use script (cursive) not
printing. ... Also don't
worry about neat as that also slows you down.
Set the letter speed at 20 or 25wpm but set the word speed at about 15wpm.
Your brain may still be lagging slightly on identifying the letters and
may
need a slightly larger gap between them until you get more practice.
...
Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Don't know what Kock is, but.

If you can, run the letter speed up higher. I squeaked by the high octane
Extra just before they diluted it in, what 2001? & can copy 22WPM _random
characters_ if the letter speed is at 30. This is called "Farnsworth" or
maybe other names, and it gives your brain more time to process.

*Force* yourself to "copy behind". We have a sort-of sound buffer in our
heads and it is possible to be processing and writing the letter which is 2,
3, 4 letters in the past. "HOUSE" you are writing "H" when "S" is coming
in. I think this will help alot if you can do it.

You will then be able to hear letter *combinations* as one sound.

Don't write the little stuff "the", "and" stuff like that.

If you can find someone to practice with it'll help a lot also. You both
won't mind each others mistakes and trying to actually transfer information
adds a lot of interest. If you have a ticket already, code practice
oscillators (or something improvized) on a quite frequency or just on the
phone can be fun.


I prefer to work around 13-15 WPM. I get on 3-4 times a year. When I am
copying someone at 7-10 WPM it seems really slow. When they send "the" it's
a pain since I have to copy and write each letter (Yes I have to write it)
If they were to send it at = 20 WPM, I'd hear it all as one thing. I just
recognize it easier. I only have a few of these. My Dad called this
"having a vocabulary".

It's really weird to realize you can copy a whole word...particularly since
I am not a very good CW op. If I get flustered, down the tubes I go and
miss a lot. I have to be in the right mood. Sometimes it seems quite easy,
and sometimes it is a real chore to copy.
73
--
Steve N, K,9;d, c. i My email has no u's.

Andrew Crawford ) writes:
Dear All,

Does anyone have any tips for learning Morse using the Kock method? I'm using
the "CW trainer" program and it's working... kind of.

I am learning at 25wpm. I find I can identify the sounds of the letters no
problem at this speed, so it's working from that point of view.

However, I can't physically write that fast! By the time I get one letter
written another three have gone by. I can "buffer" them a little but even so
after writing down a few letters I'm hopelessly behind.

It's very discouraging. Any hints?

You do realize that the scheme, and it is the right way, is that while
the characters are sent at a fast rate the spacing between characters
is such that the words per minute is fairly low. This way, you start with
hearing the rhythm of the letters rather than the dots and dashes, but
you are indeed starting at a slow speed. You slowly reduce the spacing
between characters, as you get more capable.

So my suggestion would be to increase that spacing until you get good,
and then start decreasing it.

Michael VE2BVW

"Andrew Crawford" wrote in message
...
Dear All,

Does anyone have any tips for learning Morse using the Kock method? I'm
using
the "CW trainer" program and it's working... kind of.

I am learning at 25wpm. I find I can identify the sounds of the letters no
problem at this speed, so it's working from that point of view.

However, I can't physically write that fast! By the time I get one letter
written another three have gone by. I can "buffer" them a little but even
so
after writing down a few letters I'm hopelessly behind.

It's very discouraging. Any hints?

Cheers,

Andrew

The same way you get to Carnegie Hall - practice, practice, practice.
After a while, instead of recognizing individual characters, you start to
recognize word patterns.
I'll bet you already recognize the rythm or pattern of some words - like the
word "the" - or your name.
or the word "name" the word "is" etc.... it'll be like listening to someone
talk. - where you don't need to write it down.




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