KM5L's Morse Code Learning Tips!W LEARNING TIPS
Download: http://www.justlearnmorsecode.com/download.html
Written in 2005 by Siguard Stenersen, LB3KB. This is an excellent tool.
Benefits in learning morse code:
Best throughput on HF, even today for given bandwidth, and I can prove it!!! Even compared to any JT protocol!
First – examine the benefits!
- Incredibly brain-healthy – very mentally stimulating -grow some neuron connections!
- Drastically improve finger dexterity
- Improve your joy in HF – and join the exclusive CW community!
- Contribute greatly to contest scores!
- It will add incredible confidence in your “learner” strength!
Second – Find your passion!
This doesn’t require being above average natural skills, it requires above average passion!
Passion will drive perseverance and will require tenacity!
- Make a goal – “I will learn to copy all the characters of morse code by _____ date!”
- Make a goal – “I will learn morse code at a reading rate of 10 wpm by _____ date!”
- Make a goal – “I will increase my Farnsworth speed to 15 wpm by ______ date!”
- Practice every day without fail – at least 2 sessions per day at 20 minutes each
Start here if just beginning Morse
Buy a NICE “instrument”: https://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-422EX
Start by learning a few characters at a time. Click the “Source” tab and click the first option “Character Set”. Note that the first two characters are in bold, “K and M”. Run that at speed 5/20. Say the character out loud each time you hear it. It is important to implement this with the Farnsworth speed of 5 / 20 WPM.
Do this for however long it takes to say the character flawlessly. Spend at least 15 minutes, then take at least a 10 minute break.
Now, without adding any characters, run it again for a minute, then change the speed to 10 /20.
Again, do this for as long as it takes until you can flawlessly say the characters K and M out loud.
Go take a break.
Your second session
The next day run the recording without adding characters at 10/20. If it’s too many errors go back to 5/20, then when ready return to 10/20. Start practicing with your new bencher! Just practice the characters you’re currently learning. Do it that way throughout.
If you have sat down for the day and achieved perfect audible response at 10/20 for the first two letters, go ahead and introduce the next letter. Do this by clicking the character key up to 3. But, return to 5/20 speed first. The new character, R, is added to the mix.
When you can flawlessly and audibly say the character out loud, with the other characters take a break.
When you return run it again a minute, then increase to 10/20.
You may think that it will get harder as time goes on, and it will a little, but not nearly what you think. The key is to continue this process until completely fluent.
When you are done, guess what speed you are copying code? In a way, it’s actually 20 WPM.
Keep looping to the next day by adding one or two characters a day. Don’t short cut, be COMPLETELY successful in vocally calling out all characters before you advance. If you get hung up on one or two characters then create a small file of those characters and just focus on them awhile.
Start practicing sending code on a bencher paddle, plus oscillator – don’t buy cheap!
Practice 20 minutes a day if possible
After you’re fluent at 10/20 for all characters
Get on the AIR!!!
But, return to the program once a day for 20 minutes and load up a text file of your favorite material. Consider putting spaces between each character to double the Farnsworth effect – i.e. if 5 is the lowest, doubling the spaces will get you 2.5.
Or, 2.5/10. Try it. THEN, start reducing the Farnsworth number. Go from 10/20 to 12/20, then 13/20, then 14/20, then 15/20. Finally, try 20/20, and that is when your THROUGHPUT is genuinely 20 WPM!
All you’re doing is decreasing the time between the characters, NOT increasing the speed!!! YOU WERE ALREADY COPYING AT 20 WPM when you were at 5/20!
Once you’re fluent with 15/20, increase to 15/22, then 15/23, then 15/24, then 15/25, THEN 16/25, then 17/25, then 18/25, then 19/25, then 20/25!!!
Once you’re at 20/25 you’re in the big boy camp, congratulations!
