Recently, someone wrote me:
I had the pleasure of a short QSO with you on 40m a month or so ago, and you offered to answer any questions I might have regarding CW. I do have one, so here goes….
I’m struggling to get my receive speed up from about 18-20 to 25WPM. One of my stumbling blocks is the ability to decode amateur callsigns at 25WPM+. At 20 wpm, there is adequate time to “decode and digest” each character, but at 25 and higher, the characters and numbers come so quickly that if you don’t IMMEDIATELY recognize the character, you’re sunk….you miss the next few or the entire call.
I’ve tried various strategies to get the calls, such as “chunking” (decoding the first three characters and then decoding the remaining characters of the call), just getting the first and last characters and trying to guess the middle (good luck with that!), or trying to repeat the code sequence back in my head slower to decode it (awful strategy).
Perhaps there is no substitution for instant recognition of each character and number, but I was wondering if there was a strategy that assists you in decoding and retaining a semi-random group of letters and numbers like a callsign.
I replied:
Hi,
First, let me say that if you’re trying to write down the calls instead of just copying them in your head, I think you’re fighting a losing battle. You might be able to type them, but you’ll have to be able to touch type to do that. When I’m just ragchewing, I don’t write down anything, except to type in the callsign and other QSO data into my logging program.
Of course, when operating in a contest, you have to log certain information. That’s part of the contest. When contesting, I use the N1MM contest software. What I find when I operate in a contest at high speed is that I just have to go with my gut and not try to analyze every character. Sure, I make mistakes sometimes, but that’s the way it goes.
Having said that, do you about RUFZ? Here’s how the website describes it: “‘Rufz’ is the abbreviation of the German word ‘Rufzeichen-Hören,’ which means ‘listening to Callsigns.’ RufzXP is an excellent training software for improving code speed and CW practice, particularly (ultra) high speed memory copying of true amateur radio calls. Focussing on improvement of CW proficiency, it is no contest simulator and does not provide for QRM. It provides additional tools for keeping track of training progress and comparing with other operators via International RufzXP Toplist.”
Another thing you might consider is participating in the CWOps’ CW Academy. This program is designed to take someone operating between 15-20 wpm and get them up to 25 wpm or more.
Keep in touch. Let me know if any of this helps.
Do any of you have a tip for this fellow?
Chris KQ2RP says
The act of ‘decoding’ is the issue. At higher speeds, if you don’t ‘hear the letter’, you’re sunk. The minute you have to think about what it is, the next character is coming. This is why I tell people to run fast and far away from any method of learning Morse that uses associations, visualizations, etc. They add an extra step in your brain that will ultimately hinder your ability to copy at higher speeds. Dan is correct, ditch the pencil/paper. CW Ops is a good. I’ve heard good things about MorseRunner and LCWO too, but have no experience with them. I learned ‘old school’ with the Tune In The World With Ham Radio cassettes, listening to W1AW code practice transmissions, joining a high speed CW net (that was well beyond my initial speed), and participating in CW contests. Just like learning a foreign language, it comes down to getting it ‘burned into your brain’ so that you ‘hear it’ instead of ‘translate it’.
RickB KA8BMA says
CW Trainer from http://www.wolphi.com is an Android app similar to G4FON. It has Koch 2-62wpm, Farnsworth, 2-62wpm and programmable sidetone frequency 200-2200Hz.
6 practice modes: Koch groups of 1-9 random characters, Call sign mode, QSO text message mode, English words mode, List text mode (your words, phrases, etc), and eBook mode ( from book text or your comma separated list of words. With the last mode, you can playback, randomly, text that you create. I regularily listen to a list of 100 common words by W0XI.
Rufz is used by many to practice call signs at higher speeds.
My hat is off to anyone trying to improve his CW skills.
From personal experience, the older you are, the harder it is.
Josiah Ritchie says
Thank you for sharing this conversation. I’m also trying to understand the path to CW proficiency.
Andrew Holman says
CW is my nemesis right now. I am only consistent about 5-8wpm and that changes as the wind blows. I think the big thing for me has been not overdoing the training too. My brain gets way too tired to try and decipher it after a while right now. I do think it just takes time though, I have a rough time with callsigns still but some of the apps out there for the phone and computer are great to just listen to for 15 mins a day or something.
Dan KB6NU says
If you’re not currently getting on the air, Andrew, I’d encourage you to do so. You’ll make a lot more progress by making QSOs, even slow ones, than you will by just listening to code practice.
Jeff Bauer says
Two important things to do:
1) Take a screwdriver blade and drive it through the microphone elements of all mics in your shack. And…
2) like virtually any conversational language, constant use will ultimately deliver higher proficiency. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. It’s as simple as that.
73,
Jeff WN1MB
Winsted CT
Dan KB6NU says
Taking a screwdriver to all of your microphones is kind of drastic. I just put them in a desk drawer. I do agree about the constant use, though. I try to make at least three CW QSOs every day.
Jeff Bauer says
Hi Dan,
Number 1 was tongue-in-cheek, of course. Way back in that other century around the mid-60’s, which coincidentally is my age now, I was a teenager interested in electronics and radio. Having done some SWL’ing and convincing my father it would be a grand idea to apply for a CB license, I merrily played radio on 27 Mc., though was interested in becoming a ham.
I tried every manner of learning the code I could think of: from a handmade wall chart of the alphabet and corresponding Morse characters to a “Learn Morse” 33 RPM record. I tried, on and off, for perhaps the better part of a year with limited results.
One night I was lamenting about that to a fellow a couple towns away on CB. And it was he who set me in the right direction. His first rule was the #1 that I noted. He didn’t have to explain. It was obvious that the time I spent yacking into a microphone would be better spent learning Morse.
Then he tipped me off to how he learned Morse in the Air Force. There are a number of YouTube videos online which are actual U.S. Military training films from that era.
And just as he promised, I was proficient at copying 5 WPM Morse code in one week. This opened up a whole new world for me, as I was now able to “read the mail” of guys in QSO’s on the air using Morse.
Thanks, Ted, wherever you are. You were right!
Another blessing, in addition to Ted’s advice, was that my Novice career was during the time when Novices only had CW as a mode to use on HF. We could only use voice on 2-meters, but I would venture to say the vast majority of Novices back then only were on HF. The Novice ticket was for 2 years and NON-renewable: a veritable learners permit or one-time apprenticeship.
Miracle of miracles, I even have a 20 WPM Code Proficiency award from ARRL/W1AW floating around somewhere, which I received while still WN1MBK … the guy who only months earlier was convinced he was constitutionally incapable of learning Morse code.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
73,
Jeff
Dan KB6NU says
Hi, Jeff. I realize that you were making the comment tongue in cheek. :) It’s a good point, though. You can’t get better at CW by talking about it.
As for how to learn the code, we are blessed with a variety of good (and free) Morse Code learning aids, including websites, CDs, and programs. What I always tell people is that if one doesn’t work for them, try another. It’s not a one size fits all kind of thing, and what might work for some, doesn’t work for another, as you found out. I’m going to look up those videos on YouTube and add them to my list of training aids.
Jeff Bauer says
In my haste, I forgot to mention that Ted’s system, a “modified for self study” system to learn Morse based on the military system, required only a half an hour a day for a week using just a key and CPO – or in my case, a key, batteries, and doorbell buzzer. A bonus was learning phonetics at the same time.
73,
Jeff WN1MB
Winsted CT
Bob K4RLC says
I’m looking for a text file with US callsigns, each repeated between 3 to five times. I can turn these text (only) files into Mp3 files for practice. Have the most common words like this, but really need to move to copying callsigns in my head.
Tnx in advance for any help.
73 de K4RLC Bob
Christopher Scibelli says
How about Super CHeck Partial? It’s not a text file but it has the world’s most active contesters. If you find a way to convert it to a text file please send me a copy.
73,
Chris NU1O
John Huber says
Chris / NU1O,
My “master.scp” file (downloaded by N1MM+) opens as a text file with Notepad (and other “text” editors). Try it and see.
73, John / N8FYL