Learning to copy code

[wa4ilh]

This may be a rather obscure observation but my wife and I just finished square dance lessons. Actually, we're still learning, going to as many dances as we can until we become more proficient. It occured to me that this learning process is exactly like the way I learned the code some 38 years ago. You start out listening to a very simple square dance call and repeat it several times before going on to another, slightly harder call, all the time going back and reviewing what you have already learned. This goes on for about ten weeks untill, one day, You realize that you've learned all of the basic calls. Then it's a matter of increasing your speed untill, one day, you realize that you don't really have to think about what you're doing. It just sort of comes naturally. And, like CW, it's fun! Tom WA4ILH

[ai4ep]

...try turning the audio on the radio DOWN very low ( something about as loud as a whisper, or the level of the whirring of the computer fan -- as a reference ) so you can still hear the other sounds made in the room , but also hear the CW being sent to your speaker. It works very well for me, and wont hurt my hearing in later years...might actually make my ears MORE sensitive to faint background noises ?

I never did like LOUD music, whether it be rock / country / instrumental, or what ever.

Next tv we get will have the CLOSED CAPTIONING option on it, so we can mute the audio, yet by reading the captions across the bottom of the screen, keep up with the show. I was at a relatives home and their tv has that option, and we liked it. The kids find out that they dont have to make any noise to compete with the tv , and they, too are quieter and play quieter, even in the same room.

Oh, that is right, YOU already knew that though, didnt ya ??

Some might say that you will find more " know-it-alls" here on the internet than in real life ( or on the radio )...but since I have been told " ep, you dont know a dern thing ", I shall let YOU do all the talking.

That is one reason we were given 2 ears and one mouth, so we could spend twice as much time listening as talking.

YOUR TURN http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[KA4DPO]

I did just what you said about learning the basics then I listened to the 1AW practice sessions. #I would start out at 30 WPM and continue trying to copy all the way down to 5 WPM. #After a while it was kind of like driving at 80 MPH for an hour then slowing down to 65. #Even though your going 65 it feels like your not moving. #Before I knew it I was copying at 20WPM. #All it took was perserverence and desire.

[kl7aj]

do-see-do=di da dit? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

eric

[wa4ilh]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Feb. 09 2006,13:38)]All it took was perserverence and desire.
I had the "desire" to learn the code nearly 40 years ago and also to learn square dancing last year. The funny thing about it was that I experienced the same frustration near the end of both learning experiences. I was ready to give up and probably would have quit both times had I not had someone "pushing" me to complete the learning cycle.
Tom WA4ILH

[k6pme]

Back in the 80's my parents were the co-presidents of the local square dance club. Naturally after much cajoling I finally gave it a try. I finally reached A+ after a few years and I have to say it was a LOT of fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[ai4ep]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

much of it was the situation of --- you have come this far, why quit now...go for the top ( extra class ) !!

So I DID ~~ !!

Now I look back and think " man, those tests are way too EASY...a simple 5 word per MINUTE morse code test...a written test that aint all THAT hard, just to become a GENERAL class amateur radio operator.

Then along came the EXTRA exam...a tiny bit of a challenge, but not one that could be won with a small amount of effort ( very small amount in my situation ).

GOT it done !!

...and to think that a 47 year old man from ALABAMA ( we uns know what the rest of you folks think of Alabama folks, no need in denying it !! ) can pass all of those " oh-so-hard " tests...then why cant YOU ( if you aint already !! )....

Oh that is right...you are " special " !!

[W5HTW]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Feb. 09 2006,13:38)]I did just what you said about learning the basics then I listened to the 1AW practice sessions. I would start out at 30 WPM and continue trying to copy all the way down to 5 WPM. After a while it was kind of like driving at 80 MPH for an hour then slowing down to 65. Even though your going 65 it feels like your not moving. Before I knew it I was copying at 20WPM. All it took was perserverence and desire.
One reason when you turn off the interstate from 75 mph and drop to that 35 mph zone, you have a powerful tendency to be well over the speed limit!

Years ago, before the interstates, driving roads such as US40, or US36 through long, flat areas such as Kansas, it was easy to cruise at 70 mph, and many states didn't even have a speed limit. (Kansas said "safe and reasonable" as it's limit.) Coming to one of those small farm towns, the speed limit signs would start a couple of miles out of town with "Speed Zone Ahead." Then the next one would say "Speed 55." Shortly you'd come to one that said "Speed 45." And then a bit down the road, "Speed 35." It was a good trick, for it aclimated you to the reduced speeds gradually, avoiding that sudden change to "creeping."

Re the code, it is true. Listen a bit at a much higher speed than you can copy, but still slow enough you can occasionally pick out a character or two. Then drop it back to near your desired speed. It sure will boost your copy, at least for a minute or two.

When I took the Extra test, the FCC examiner asked if we were all ready. We had pads of paper, and pencils. No headphones were available, so it would be speaker copy from the Instructograph machine. We agreed we were as ready as we would get.

He started the tape and walked over to his desk. We were stunned. It sure was a fast 20 wpm! At least one guy dropped his pencil and just leaned back in his chair, defeated. Then the FCC officer suddenly stood up, after perhaps 20 seconds or so of this, and said something about that being the wrong tape. That was, he said, the commercial 25 wpm tape. He switched. The 20 wpm tape sounded like 5 wpm! And I know that stunt had me copying solid. I don't recall how many were taking the test, maybe six or seven. I think we all passed.

I never knew if this was intended or not. The FCC folks were famous for not being in the slightest bit helpful. I suspect this guy did this deliberately, knowing the effect it would have. He let us try to copy for 20 seconds, maybe even a bit longer, before announcing his "mistake."

Ed

[kl7aj]

I love it when Bugs Bunny square dances with Yosemite Sam.


" O...Stomp on yer partner, n do see do,
Kick 'er in the shins and throw 'er on the flo....

Eric

[KA4DPO]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Feb. 09 2006,18:05)]http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

much of it was the situation of --- you have come this far, why quit now...go for the top ( extra class ) !!

So I DID ~~ #!!

Now I look back and think #" man, those tests are way too EASY...a simple 5 word per MINUTE #morse code test...a written test that aint all THAT hard, just to become a GENERAL class amateur radio operator.

Then along came the EXTRA exam...a tiny bit of a challenge, but not one that could be won with a small amount of effort ( very small amount #in my situation ). #

GOT it done !!

...and to think that a 47 year old #man from ALABAMA ( #we uns know what the rest of you folks think of Alabama folks, no need in denying it #!! ) can pass all of those #" oh-so-hard " tests...then why cant YOU ( if you aint already #!! )....

Oh that is right...you are " special " #!!
To all the whiners, quitters, and no code weenies out there.

A GUY FROM ALABAMA passed the test.


What's your excuse?

[KM5FL]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Feb. 09 2006,15:10)]...try turning the audio on the radio DOWN very low ( something about as loud as a whisper, or the level of the whirring of the computer fan -- as a reference ) so you can still hear the other sounds made in the room , but also hear the CW being sent to your speaker. #It works very well for me, and wont hurt my hearing in later years...might actually make my ears MORE sensitive to faint background noises ?

I never did like LOUD music, whether it be rock / country / instrumental, or what ever.

Next tv we get will have the CLOSED CAPTIONING option on it, so we can mute the audio, yet by reading the captions across the bottom of the screen, keep up with the show. #I was at a relatives home and their tv has that option, and we liked it. #The kids find out that they dont have to make any noise to compete with the tv , and they, too are quieter and play quieter, even in the same room.

Oh, that is right, YOU already knew that though, didnt ya ??

Some might say that you will find more " know-it-alls" here on the internet than in real life ( or on the radio )...but since I have been told " ep, you dont know a dern thing ", I shall let YOU do all the talking. #

That is one reason we were given 2 ears and one mouth, so we could spend twice as much time listening as talking.

YOUR TURN # # # # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
You probably should consider replacing that dinosoar of a TV you've been watching.. You see EP, By law, every television sold in the good ol' U. S of A. since 1994 (a requirement of the ADA) has that CC option you speak of..



While you're shopping for a new TV, get off that "2 ears and 1 mouth" soapbox.. The equipment you speak of doesn't work for some of us.. My wife has a pair of the most beautiful ears you ever saw. Problem is, neither one of 'em has worked since birth. She's as deaf as a rock..... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Betcha didn't know that either, didja??


KM5FL

[kl7aj]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ Feb. 10 2006,09:54)]Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Feb. 09 2006,18:05)]http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

much of it was the situation of --- you have come this far, why quit now...go for the top ( extra class ) !!

So I DID ~~ #!!

Now I look back and think #" man, those tests are way too EASY...a simple 5 word per MINUTE #morse code test...a written test that aint all THAT hard, just to become a GENERAL class amateur radio operator.

Then along came the EXTRA exam...a tiny bit of a challenge, but not one that could be won with a small amount of effort ( very small amount #in my situation ). #

GOT it done !!

...and to think that a 47 year old #man from ALABAMA ( #we uns know what the rest of you folks think of Alabama folks, no need in denying it #!! ) can pass all of those #" oh-so-hard " tests...then why cant YOU ( if you aint already #!! )....

Oh that is right...you are " special " #!!
To all the whiners, quitters, and no code weenies out there.

A GUY FROM ALABAMA passed the test. #


What's your excuse?
Alabama State Motto: "Is that a banjo on your knee, or are you just glad to see me?"


http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Eric

[ai4ep]

but then some CW is kind of hard to copy...especially when the SENDER makes mistakes in his / her sending of their message....in some cases the local possums / cb operators send better code than I have heard from fellow amateur radio operators...have YOU tried to copy your own messages every now & then, just to see if you , with your infinite wisdom, actually can copy your own style and inaccuracies ?

Aw shucks, are you offended AGAIN ? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[w4hwd]

The one thing I found out when I was learning the Morse Code, back in 1986, was that you can't do it alone and truly be successful (some people, maybe - I sure couldn't). I built an oscillator and picked up a straight key from Radio Shack (yes they had such things back then) and got a hold of a text from the library, and started banging away. It wasn't until I attended a novice class 3 years later that it all started making sense to me, because I had two old timey elmers, both of whom had used CW professionally (one in the military during WWII, the other retired from a large coastal maritime communications outfit). Elmers like that are still around today, albeit fewer and farther between!

In short, teaching yourself CW is like teaching yourself Calculus...it can be done with alot of effort, but it's so much easier and less effort to grip if you have someone skilled teaching you. All the fancy code practice oscillators in the world can't replace an experienced elmer!