The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy by N0HFF

[N2VBK]

HI Guys and Gals,
As many of you CW fans may know, good books on the subject can be few and far between.
I recently re-ran across an excellent treatise on the subject of increasing your CW speed. It was written some years ago by Bill Pierpont N0HFF (SK).
When I first stumbled upon this, what was then strictly an e-book, I downloaded it, printed it up, and started reading. Impressive and informative, this e-book.
On a whim, I emailed Bill, N0HFF. Imagine my surprise, when, a day later I received a reply. We exchanged stories in a few mails and he became a silent key a short time later.
I had printed this book and put it into a three ring binder. I ran across it again
recently and I'm reminded of how good it is. I believe it can be downloaded here: http://www.qsl.net/n9bor/n0hff.htm , and it looks like F.I.S.T.S. has been printing them and selling them at cost.
At any rate, for the serious player, (I'm not really, real life and band condx can get in the way. But someday.....)this is a must read.
Let us know what you think.....
Paul N2VBK

[KY5U]

Great read. Have it right here and often read during lunch.

[WB2WIK]

I was interviewed by Bill about 8 years ago.

If you have "the book," check pages 97-98.

WB2WIK/6

[N4AUD]

I was interviewed by Bill about 8 years ago.

If you have "the book," check pages 97-98.

WB2WIK/6

I just read those pages...cool! Very impressive and your nephew should be a shining example of what you can do when you don't say "I can't."

[AE1P]

Thanks for the link Paul.....

[WB2WIK]

I just read those pages...cool! Very impressive and your nephew should be a shining example of what you can do when you don't say "I can't."

::Yep. People can usually learn just about anything if nobody ever tells them it's hard to do. Notice that infants try things experimentally that no adult would dream of trying, because they're curious and don't know any better. Most survive just fine.

WB2WIK/6

[ks4du]

Well Steve, I wish I had your words of wisdom back in 94. For years I couldn't get past the 18 wpm barrier. I wrote everything down and it finally dawned on me that I couldn't write fast enough (I have the bad habit of block-printing everything). I actually timed my handwriting and, guess what, the fastest speed I could write was? Yep...18 wpm. I just jot notes now and no longer have a barrier, except over 40 wpm when I can't tell the difference between an S and an H.

[WB2WIK]

Well Steve, I wish I had your words of wisdom back in 94. For years I couldn't get past the 18 wpm barrier. I wrote everything down and it finally dawned on me that I couldn't write fast enough (I have the bad habit of block-printing everything). I actually timed my handwriting and, guess what, the fastest speed I could write was? Yep...18 wpm. I just jot notes now and no longer have a barrier, except over 40 wpm when I can't tell the difference between an S and an H.

::I teach my code students from the first letter to not write anything down. Just listen, and "decode." Your brain will get it, it just needs to adapt.

I always use the examples:

-If you listen to someone speaking, you don't write down what they say. You just understand it. Writing it doesn't make you understand it any better.

-If you want to learn a foreign language, the best way is to start using it. Many people are fluent in languages they cannot read or write at all. I understand many words and phrases in Japanese, and can't write any of it.

WB2WIK/6

[N0DIT]

I downloaded the book, what a good read. Very good pointers. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn code. If I had read this book before taking my code test in 1986, I would have been licensed decades ago.
This book along with G4FON Code Tutor would be just the trick for a new op wanting to learn code.
73
Jeff

[N2VBK]

Hello,
I just got my downloaded book out and I find that I don't have page numbers.
There are chapters and then it's page 1 of 7 etc.....
What chapter are you in ?
Tnx...Paul