| Note to Class
participants... this area will read like a BLOG...
with the newest info at the top. Blog Notes from Jan
23, 2012 class:
We will be hovering with characters 1-39 for one
more week.
More info to follow
Blog Notes from Jan 16, 2012 class:
Three students and both instructors showed up at the
clubhouse despite the snowy conditions.
Randy provided the "find the incorrect characters"
drills… and Rich provided some copy drills on numbers (8 learned thus
far), punctuation (period, comma, slash, Question mark), and random call
signs that contained characters 1 thru 35
plus a head start on X (character #
40). Rich had a message prepared to send to the class… but due
to the light turn out and poor WX we ended the class 20 minutes early.
What was I thinking?
I used MS word to substitute X for C, D, and X (the un learnt
characters)….
Rich offered a $100 prize (pending RCT Board Approval)
for any student who successfully copied their own callsign in the
callsign drill. The callsigns of class members were included in the
drill (except the calls that contained C, D, X).
We had some discussion regarding listening to Off the Air
Code Practice… as Bob KE7WPK had successfully copied W1AW code practice
on his little QRP radio. He mentioned being interrupted by static
crashes and QRM from digital stations. Real life Off the Air copy. We
will be becoming accustomed to this soon.
So, for our next session…on Jan 23…
We move forward with characters 1 thru 39… we add C 1 D 6… this is good
because there's only one alphabet character to go "X". Now, I betcha
that I can include all class member's callsigns in the next drill.
I've said this before… but I need to say it again… The
Koch method is to only add one new character at a time, then copy all
characters (including the previous characters) at 90+% before moving on
to add the next one. It is OK to only play the new character by itself
so you can "get to know it"… then add the others back into the mix.
Catch the Fly. Sense and React. Hear the character then write it down.
Repetition to master the move.
So, for our next session…on Jan 23…
please prepare a message to send to the class that uses characters 1 to
39. See if you can emphasize the new ones: C 1 D X in your message.
Blog Notes from Jan 9, 2012 class:
Ten of the regular 12 Morse Ninjas showed up for this
class. Two members reported being ill with the dreaded 'Seattle Stomach
Virus'. Get well soon and most importantly of all: Keep practicing, if
you can stomach it.
Randy provided the usual "find the errors in the text"
drills using characters 1-31. Then Randy provided some 4 and 5 letter
word drills.
The highlight of the evening was the exercise where each
Ninja provided their own composition… using characters 1-31 to send to
the class.
Here's my report from my seat in the classroom:
Some folks were nervous to begin with but calmed down as
they progressed into the message they were sending. Stage fright of
sorts. Everyone who sent to the class did pretty well. One Ninja sent
faster and faster as he progressed thru his message, which is a sign of
excitement… and one person could use improvement with the length of dits
vs. dahs.
Regarding the dahs being to short in length… I have this
problem sometimes and I purposely elongate he length of the dahs I send
in order to sound better. Technically speaking… the dit/dah ratio
[called weighting] is 1:3. I suspect that when I send… it comes out at
1:4, and this is OK to do. Actually some beginners prefer to hear the
dahs a bit longer to delineate the difference between them. But, don’t
overdo it. If you can record then listen to your own sending [Smartphone
to the rescue]… it may be helpful. Please don’t spend a huge amount of
time on this yet… as the main goal is to continue to learn the remaining
characters. Enuf said about this.
We learned the "I just made a mistake" signal,
which is a string of 6 or more dits in a row… or as Randy suggested:
two H characters sent in a row. The general rule is that if you realize
you made a mistake in your sending… then send the HH and start over at the beginning of the word you messed
up in. Note: A string of numbers is a word… a street address or your
SKCC number.
Rich commented on the importance of spacing between
words. If a dit is one unit and a dah is three…. Then the space between
characters will be three units… and between words will be 5 to 7 units
(if I remember right). Once again: Please don’t dwell a huge amount of
time on this yet… as the main goal is to continue to learn the remaining
characters. Enuf said about this.
Assignment for 1/16,
MLK Day...
Expand your knowledge of characters- add characters 32
thru 35 to your knowledge base. Remember to add them to the mix of 1-31
one at a time until you can copy 90+% before you add the next new
character. This will be characters: ? 4 2 7
The 4 and 7 are important ones… because those numbers are in the class
members ham radio call signs.
My G4FON method is: Select only the new character in the
setup to get a private introduction… then move on to re-add 1-31, 32,
33, 34, and 35; then check the "Favour most recently added character"
box in the G4FON set up to have more exposure to the newly added
character(s).
Also, prepare you message to send to the class that
contains char. 1-35. I will prepare some words using char 1-35 for you
to copy… and Randy will most likely prepare some "Find the Errors"
drills.
Randy mentioned that the W7OS folks would be manning the
CW station for the Straight Key Century Club "K3Y/7" event… but did not
know the exact date/time. Here it is:
Wednesday, Jan 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Class members are
invited to attend and get on the air (with your sending skills) or hang
out and copy. This is pretty big event for the 8,000+ SKCC members, so
there will be a good opportunity to make quite a few QSOs (providing
propagation is OK). Oh yah… you can use your own call sign to make a
contact. If you wanna do this but don’t have a SKCC number… go their
website and apply.
http://www.skccgroup.com/
I will be at the RCT clubhouse on Saturday from 10:30 to
14:00 or so… if you want to practice your sending… and the Museum is set
up with G4FON if you want to do some receiving. We can also find some
On the Air QSOs to participate in.
Email me if you have any questions or concerns. Keep
practicing and Best regards,
Rich
KR7W
+++++++========+++++++
Some
Notes from January 2, 2012:
We had 10 attendees for the
first class of 2012. At break time, we snacked on treats left-over from
Straight Key Night. Speaking of which, it was nice to see a good number
of you at SKN and gratifying to watch you copying along.
This week's class
We began this week with
"identify the typos" drills interspersed with word copy drills.
We warmed up with a limited
character set but then progressed to sentence-copying drills using 31
characters. At the completion of a drill, before looking at the
original text, we combined everyone's results to see if we could come up
with a 100% copy of the original. It seems to me this is a strategy we
might employ some time soon during an SKCC Sprint operation at the
clubhouse, where several people copying along can back up the current
operator if he or she misses a bit of an exchange.
Rich had provided some
"radiogram" sending material, so we split up into pairs for that
practice during the latter portion of the class. I heard some good
fists!
Homework:
As turnout was a little
light, we elected once again not to assign additional characters for
next week. Instead, I proposed a new activity:
"Morse Code Toastmasters". I
asked that everyone compose AND PRACTICE SENDING a short "speech",
consisting of about 3 minutes of copy, using the 31 characters we
already know. This will require avoiding "C", "D", and "X"
and numbers other than 0, 5, 9, 3 and 8. Use periods to end your
sentences, and use comma and slash if you can work them in. Two or
three good sentences should suffice. The content can be anything you
like, but it should hang together enough that context will help those
copying to fill in whatever is missed or mis-sent. Substitute "K" for
"C", or "KS"/"Z" for "X", if you like (e.g. "zeroks" for "xerox").
As part of next week's
session, each student that has prepared the short text will send it to
the entire class, then we'll synthesize a result from everyone's copy
and see how much of it we can understand.
Error correction while
sending
This might be a good time to
note that an operator can send 6 or more dits to indicate an error
correction will follow, after which the corrected word is sent. So if
you send "HOW" where you meant to send "HOP", but somehow didn't succeed
in making that final dit, then after the incorrect "W" you would send 6
or more dits, then send "HOP".
I actually like 8 dits (two
"H" characters run together). Some operators even send this "error"
character a little more urgently (quicker, shorter dits) than the rest
of the text, which serves to highlight that a correction is being noted.
Tips and regular practice:
Everyone is catching the fly
at least once in a while now. That's great!
Try to find regular, quiet,
relaxed practice times as you continue to train your minds to recognize
Morse characters.
Also remember that Koch did
a lot of research, and he would want us to add one new character at a
time to the set we have mastered. So please consider whether you have
more than one un-mastered character in the set you are currently
studying. If so, use the G4FON configuration options to remove all but
one of these from your practice sessions. Add them back one at a time
as you re-achieve 90% copy.
Some students have observed
that to increase the density of a particular character in drills, you
can deselect other characters in which you have total confidence. This
is especially useful if you are performing short (e.g. 1 minute) drills
to reduce checking/correction time. However, when using this technique,
you may also wish to deselect "favour recently added characters",
depending on how well the program's idea of "recent" corresponds with
the character you want to focus on. For G4FON, "recent" means those
characters added as the number of characters is increased.
And, of course, if you are
not feeling sufficiently challenged, you can always increase the
"effective" WPM a notch.
73 and diiiiiiiiiDAH!
Randy WB4SPB
+++++++=======+++++++++=========
Notes from
Dec 26 class:
9 folks showed up for practice.... pretty good attendance for the day after
Christmas 3 day weekend.
Randy gave some 'find the error' drills.
5 different audio files of words that contain characters 1 to 31 were
played. This was about 18 minutes total copy time.
More telegrams with characters 1-31 were handed out for sending
practice. I apologize for sneaking an unlearned character into the mix
(C, Charlie).
Ollie and Mrs Ollie brought some pretty tasty cookies to share.
For next time (Jan 2)… we are in a HOLDING pattern of not advancing in
characters. Due to the holiday busyness we will not advance to new
characters. This means that for the next session on Jan 2, Characters 1
to 31 are due. If you are itching to progress forward… feel free to do
so.
Observations…
Some folks are doing pretty well and are proficient with 1-31… some are
behind. Not to worry… keep practicing and eventually the behind people
will catch up. We all learn at different speeds. The important thing
is to find time to practice and don’t give up.
One Class member mentioned that he uses sending the character as a way
to help him remember it when receiving it.
Try and make it to Straight Key Night. Bring your tablet and pen…. And
attempt to copy both sides of the Morse conversation.
Rich KR7W
=======================
Notes from
Dec 19 class:
We had couple "find
the errors" in the copy drill with characters 1-26.
A 3 character word
drill with characters 1-26
Class participation
determined that the characters V Y Q F
are the class's favorites. Randy
set up the G4FON software to only play these characters for copy. After
a couple of drills… at one person thought he/she realized improvement.
For those of you who were not there.. 'favorite' means the most
difficult to copy and the easiest to mix up with each other.
Rich played a movie
of QSOs from the ARRL Rookie Round Up semi contest.
We practiced
sending telegrams that included characters 1-26. Also, there were a
couple of renegade characters in the messages to send that did not
belong…. C and D as I recall. Sorry for the confusion.
The Code Class will
be open on Monday, 12/26, for those who can come. I may open the
clubhouse earlier that day if you want to make some on the air QSOs (or
at least watch and copy the code down). Let me know if you are
interested in coming early… say 4 or 5 pm. If there is interest then I
will send a message to all regarding this.
The next group of
characters were assigned to be learned by 12/26. These are: characters
27 to 31: Z H 3 8 B
Remember to add the
new characters one at a time to your previously learned mix. Practice
the entire mix until you achieve 90+% copy before adding the next
character.
It is OK to
"get to
know" the new character by selecting only the new one in the software
setup. Have G4FON play (for example) z z z z z z z z z while you write
it down. After you are familiar with the new character… then add it to
the previous mix and practice to achieve 90+% accuracy. Then add the
next, and the next.
Here's a couple of
things you can do with the software that might be helpful:
Have G4FON only
send you your 'favorite' (challenging) characters for a couple of minutes. Set the
screen to display the copy with no delay… so you can see them as they
are sent. While viewing them on the screen… sound them out in your
mind, but not for very long. Then copy them down in your notebook for a
while. The idea here is to learn to "catch the fly" aka, "sense and
react", aka "hear the character - write the character down" correctly
without any thought. Automatic.
For sending: Set
the G4FON software to play at 15 WPM character speed / effective code
speed of 1 WPM (that’s right, ONE WPM). 1 WPM will provide you, for
your listening enjoyment, a fairly large gap of time between
characters. Within this gap… use your key and CPO to emulate the
software sent character. Idea: When doing this drill… go get an
interested person to help you out. Have them listen to you sending the
characters. Have them tell you if you are getting close. If no one is
interested in this… then figure out how to record your sending. Hey, I
betcha that the new smart phones have voice recorders… if so, then use
this.
Last thing: Just
because your Santa gives you a new $300 Begali Straight Key as a holiday
gift… you will not become a better Morse operator unless you Practice,
Practice, and Practice.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dec 12 Class Second Thoughts:
2. It appears
that when using the G4FON Software… when introducing new characters to
learn… some folks are introducing more than one character at a time.
It is important to remember that Prof Koch's method for learning Morse
Code requires you to develop 90% proficiency before adding the next
character to your portfolio of learned characters. It appears that an
in effort to keep up… some of you are adding several new characters at
once. It is also important to continue to practice the previous learned
characters along with the newest one added, as the software allows you
to do.
Let's trust the
Koch method and not try to make progress by leaps and bounds. Instead,
make a concerted effort to study deliberately and consistently each day.
I'd like to add to
this statement: If you have added more than one character to your
learnt characters… and are having a hard time with the added characters,
then it could be beneficial for you to go back in lessons and discover
where you can copy 90 percent accurate. From this point… add only the
next character and practice until you reach 90+%, and then add the next,
and so on.
Example: I find
that I can copy char. 1 to 19 consistently at more than 90 percent.
Then I add char. 20 to the mix and practice with characters 1 to 20.
When I can copy 1-20 at 90+ percent… then add char. 21 and practice with
1-21 and so on.
The G4FON software
has the option to "favour recently added characters". This is a good
option for you to get more practice on the newly added characters but
not forget your 90+ percent accurate characters.
Striving for
clarity… Rich kr7w
Notes from Dec 12
class:
We watched a 3
minute movie by KR7W, where Rich operated in the Straight Key Century
Club's Weekend Sprint (sort of a contest). Rich called CQ at about 7
words per minute, was answered by a ham who used a BUG key who was
sending 10-12 WPM. A lot of folks noticed the timing of the bug being
not exactly correct.
http://www.skccgroup.com/
Randy provided
"find the errors in the copy" drills that covered characters 1-21.
F words (characters
1-21) copy drills
An "find the
errors" drill for characters 1-26
Characters 22-26
(only) copy drill
Copy some call
signs using the three numbers learned and letters within characters 1-26
Three letter words
copy drill
Copy the Morse
heard in the movie
Sending Practice
which consisted of class members paired up at the table… where one
person sent code from a telegram form given to them. The other table
member copied the sent code. And visa versa. The first telegram
contained characters 1-15, the second 1-21. This exercise was well
received… and everyone did pretty well with knowing the characters and
their timing. Fists are developing well. We will be doing this
exercise again Dec 19.
Some of us went
over how to create a MP3 file using the G4FON Software. However, I
did not explain it in it's entirety. I mentioned that after the G4FON
software creates the Morse file… it creates a MP3 file. Then you can
Cut N Paste the text from the screen into a Word or Notepad file. Yah,
you can do that… BUT- what I didn't say was the software already creates
a dot text file along with creating the MP3 file. These files will be
named the same, but with different file extensions… i.e. 26-15-07.MP3
and 26-15-07.txt. I mentioned to save these files on your PC's
desktop. That's a convenient place to put them, but at first glance…
Windows shortens the file name on the desktop display and it is hard to
tell what the whole name is. A better method would be to create a
Folder on your desktop called something like: KOCH FILES… and tell the
software to put the new files there.
If more info is
needed regarding how to create a MP3 practice file with the G4FON
software… then let me know and I will dredge up my latent Technical
Writing skills and write up a step by step guide… but cha gotta let me
know. I also figured how to get those MP3 files into I-tunes… if you
need info on that, please let me know.
NOTE: There are
no "New Characters Due" for the Dec 19 class. We have decided to
'coast' for one week to allow folks who are behind to try and catch up
to Characters 1-26.
Observations:
1. On the G4FON software… if you have the 'Straight Key' box checked
(main screen)… please uncheck it.
If checked… the
software will send you code that emulates a poorly timed straight key.
Save this feature for later, after you get some experience on the air.
2. It appears that when using the G4FON Software… when introducing new
characters to learn… some folks are introducing more than one
character at a time. It is important to remember that Prof Koch's
method for learning Morse Code requires you to develop 90% proficiency
before adding the next character to your portfolio of learned
characters. It appears that an in effort to keep up… some of you are
adding several new characters at once. It is also important to continue
to practice the previous learned characters along with the newest one
added, as the software allows you to do.
Let's trust the
Koch method and not try to make progress by leaps and bounds. Instead,
make a concerted effort to study deliberately and consistently each day.
=========
I will be at the
RCT Clubhouse on Saturday… if anybody has questions or wants to practice
code one on one. Got Telegrams? Lets send them. I have keys and
oscillators at the CH, so you don’t have to bring your own unless you
want to.
=========
I request of
you:
If there are any
software questions… please email me and I will respond to the group.
I have played two
short movies in our classes so far. They seem well received. So, do
any of you have any ideas of what you'd like to see as a Morse Code
related movie for our class?
Along those lines…
if you can think of an exercise to assist all of us in learning Morse
Code either in the class room or at home… let me know and Randy and I
will ponder it. I have one suggestion… but it will not be good until
everybody learns all of the characters.
Lastly… some lyrics
from the broken record that plays the same grooves over and over:
Find your time and place when/where you are the most rested, comfy and
relaxed, and undistracted to practice learning Morse Code…
For me: Big
headphones on my head and a focused look whilst writing in my notebook
is a Big Flashing Sign that alerts the polite people in my environment
that I am busy and come back later. That might work for you, too.
Regards, Rich kr7w
=== === === === === === === === === === === ===
===
Some Notes from Dec 5
class to consider:
For
those who missed this class… here's what I remember we did:
Randy
provided more 'find the errors in the copy' exercises.
Rich
played some prepared files of 3 and 4 letter words for characters 1 to
15 and 1 to 21.
We are
half way there… as there are 43 characters to learn (plus a few
optional).
No
drills from the G4FON software were given.
Sending
exercises were played where one character at a time was played and the
sender emulated the characters. Then two characters in a row were
played… and regretfully three characters in a row were played. Three in
a row provided for way too much chaos. I will not do that again.
I
noticed while listening to folks sending… some need work on their
spacing. A dit is one unit of sound and a dah is equal to three dits
with five units between words. A character all by itself is considered
a word. i.e. "A ___ ___ ___."
But
wait! There's more… Even though I mentioned improving spacing in
sending… Please don’t spend a lot of time on sending just yet…
concentrate on mastering characters due on the 12/12 class… which are 1
thru 26.
At the
end of the class, Rich brought out some Vibroplex Bugs for a show n tell
session. Q and A followed.
Hey,
it's the "Most wonderful time of the Year" holidays… and we are probably
more busy than other times. But in order to get closer to your goal of
operating Morse code on the High Frequency Air Waves… practice,
practice, practice.
Here's a
paragraph from the document, "So You Want to Learn Morse Code"…
"As you proceed toward your goal, remember that some days are just going
to be better than others and some characters will take longer to
assimilate than others. You know, however, that you can reach your goal
because you've already mastered some characters and proven that copying
at full speed is something you can do. Keep in mind that what you're
doing is building reflexes, and that takes time. The amount of time you
require has nothing to do with your intelligence; it's just how long it
takes for characters to "sink in" and become part of your reflexes."
For
Monday, 12/12… hopefully everyone will know characters 1 thru 26. We
will do more "find the errors in the copy", 4 character words, G4FON
drills, and a different sending exercise where the sender is sending a
telegram to the person across the table. We will try and divide up into
more, but smaller groups… hopefully one-on-one for this.
At the
end of the class… we hope to have another show n tell with a Paddle and
electronic keyer demonstrating Iambic Keying.
Lastly…
the advertisement for
Straight Key Night is on the w7dk.org website. If you can… plan
on visiting the clubhouse while this is going on to observe Straight Key
QSOs and copy down what you can. Maybe, just maybe… you will be at the
key doing the sending.
End of
Blog,,, Rich KR7W
=== === === === === === === === === === === ===
===
Some Review from Nov 28 class to consider:
To benefit the folks were had to
be absent... here's what we did:
Randy gave some exercises to "find and correct the errors" on the answer
sheet.
Rich attempted to play some
Morse three and four letter WORD files via the G4FON software, but it
didn't work... as the software spit out the characters at 15 wpm
character speed and 15 wpm effective word speed. Randy graciously sent
one of the word files using a SK and Code Practice Oscillator. It
appeared that everyone was able to copy the words without the
distraction of the characters becoming words on the paper. This is good
in my opinion.
We did some G4FON generated drills.
We watched a 3 minute movie of the
recent CQ Magazine's CW World Wide Contest. The first minute showed a
Russian ham operating in the contest at about 30 WPM... the remaining
two minutes attempted to demonstrate that a CW ham (Rich) with a
straight key sending at 10 WPM can participate in a contest and make DX
contacts. If folks are interested.. I will play this movie next time
where time permits (maybe at the end of the class or at the break).
The Sending exercises went a bit
different this time... the table members were split up where half were
senders who sent along with the Morse characters they heard... and the
other half were copying the heard characters in their notebooks. At the
end of the 4 minute Morse audio file then members switched roles. I
orchestrated this because I wanted folks who are more copy challenged to
copy these characters (at 15 WPM character speed) that have the 4 second
gap between them.
I think that everybody has a CPO and
SK to get familiar with at home... but the focus still needs to be on
getting lots of practice with "hear the character - write it down"....
aka "see the fly - catch the fly.
Not everyone is at the same
progression of learning the characters... that's going to happen.
Please stick with it and keep practicing. If you have a concern about
your experiences that you don't want to bring up in the group setting...
then feel free to take myself and/or Randy aside and we can chat about
it and maybe figure something out for you.
For Next Time (as I know it now),
Dec 5.
Some folks will be absent... try and
take your Morse Code with you using MP3 player or other methods.
Characters 1 thru 21 are "due".
More find and correct the errors
exercises.
More "see the fly - catch the fly",
AKA: "Hear the character - write it down" on lessons up thru character
21.
K M R S U A P T L o W i
. N J E F 0 Y V
,
I have figured out how to play
the three, four, and more letter words at the correct speed... we
will have some drills on that.
Rich will bring the cookie
treats on Dec 5.
My plea: since you are now getting
used to Morse code and how it's been going in class... Please let myself
or Randy know if there's something you think we should be doing
differently or some way to augment what we are doing. Also, let us know
what it is we are doing that is working well for you.
End of Blog. Best regards,,, Rich
KR7W
=== === === === === === === === === === ===
Some Review from
the Nov 21 class to consider:
[written 11/22/2010 kr7w]
Thanks, Tom for the Peanut butter cookies (but the
real thanks goes to Cynthia, Tom's Missus)
It looked like everyone had fun at this session.
Some things that stand out for me to relay:
To the participants who are using the DOTS & DASHES charts...
I strongly encourage you all to stash them.
The visual reminder is taking valuable time away from you learning the
characters. The object of the Koch Method is to NOT have a "Look
UP Table" to rely on. Hear the sound, write down the letter...
or... See the FLY, catch the fly. Not always successful at first,
but with practice the success rate goes up. Some class members are
demonstrating this theory in practice.
What is working?
Some members note that they are doing small doses sessions for 15
minutes at a time. Walk away, clear the mind, come back a bit
stronger. That is how it works for me with my effort to get my
copy speed higher using the G4FON Software.
Some members are excluding characters in the software via the Morse
Code Setup TAB in the software... this enables the student to
concentrate on the remaining characters that need more practice.
Some members are introducing the next NEW character using the
exclusion method.
There is a check box that tells the software to FAVOUR recently
added characters on the GENERAL Setup TAB.
A Right Click on the text box on the software's main screen will
allow you to set the FONT size to be HUGE if you like.
A WORD of CAUTION: in the K7QO Chuck Adams code course that
Randy and I reviewed... the author Chuck was pretty intense about NOT
using a computer for learning Morse Code. His thinking is that the
PC is a BIG distraction... and the student will be sucked in by the PC
to play solitaire or read email
or surf the web. Please be aware of this temptation and focus on
your G4FON practice. Yah, I mentioned above that it is a good idea
to take a break to clear the mind. The PC is good for that... but
continue to learn those characters... and practice- even if it becomes
boring.
Regarding Sending with the Straight Keys:
Everyone seemed very interested in this exercise... Hands On? Yes....
but remember that learning the characters is WAY more important than
sending right now in your progression to a dark colored Ninja belt.
Some observations: In our practice arena... it was pretty much
impossible to emulate the sailor in the WW2 Armed Forces training movie
we watched. We have a lack of space and a not too clear table.
But, at home give the tips presented in the movie a try. Elbow on
table, relaxed wrist, hold the key with three digits, etc. That's
how I personally began... but evolved to doing it somewhat differently.
Also, be aware that you were using each others keys that could be
adjusted for the owner's preferences. As you progress... you will
figure out how you like your spring tension, contact gap, and arm
position, etc. .
For me... I like the SK to have a very solid feel to is. The
heavy massive base is a big help. In fact, I mounted an very
inexpensive MFJ key to a big flat iron washer and it felt very much $150
Vibroplex like. This may work for you.
=== === === === === === === === === === === ===
Some Review from the Nov 14 class to consider:
[written 11/15/2010 kr7w]
We encourage you to join the Straight Key Century Club, aka SKCC.
Link below.
Know the G4FON Software. How to eliminate/add back characters from
the Morse Character Setup screen, also creating mp3 files for your
player or smart phone for 'code on the go'. Set your code
speed: Character speed= 15 Effective speed= 7.
Find out which Pitch works best for your ears for best copy.
Note: most modern transceivers are set for 700 Hz.
Based on the Chuck Adams code course I mentioned... Write your
lessons copy down in your spiral notebook. Use the friction free
Gel Pen. Use your MP3 player if it will benefit you 'on the go'.
Use headphones for less distraction copy. Also, headphones can
eliminate distortions caused by echoes in your room.
Whilst copying... if you miss a character... it is
easy to become frustrated, be distracted, and miss more of them.
Try and train yourself to quickly draw a line on the paper to let you
know where you missed the character(s). When you correct your
work... you can remind yourself what that character(s) was and learn
from this mistake (see below re: mistakes). Rich
says: This method works for me... as I progress to increase my
copy speed.
If you don't have a Straight Key yet... that's OK. We want you to
concentrate on learning the characters foremost. We will have some
sending fun with the SK in the next class(s).
We mentioned that it may beneficial for you to do
your 30 minutes minimum lessons per day= broken up in small doses... say
three 15 minute sessions. I like to do 3 or 4 groups of 3 minutes
each ...as I find my mind wandering and I want to correct my copy to see
how I am doing. I do this 2 or 3 times per day.
Beneficial info (IMHO) from the Zen and the Art of Telegraphy document:
1. Be relaxed. [Rich sez: find that place in your home
(or elsewhere) where you can be relaxed while you learn.]
2. Repeat every day. 30 minutes minimum. Break
it up as noted above.
3. Look at every mistake as a chance to correct yourself.
Learn and move forward. Keep focused on the repetition of
the exercise.
It's important for you to figure out what works
for you when practicing for your best success.
for Nov 21... Master lessons 2 thru 8.
We will have some copy drills. This means we will play characters 1 thru
8 using G4FON software and you will copy it into your spiral notebooks.
We plan on Sending with the Straight Key.
The exercise will be: We play the character... and you send it
during the pause between characters. We will divide up into 4 or 5
groups and each member will take turns sending. The members in
your group will be random selected.
==============================================
For 11/14:
Spiral Notebook (big enough to last the entire
class)
Writing instrument (gel pen recommended)
Also, bring these good to bring but not absolutely
necessary items if you have them:
Morse Key
Code Practice Oscillator (used for the recommended Straight Key)
or Electronic Keyer (used for paddle keys... for those who are
straight key challenged)
Randy and I will have some Straight Keys and Code
Practice Oscillators on hand for some hands-on practice.
Things to work on between now and the first
session: Get the G4FON software to work on your PC or many PCs.
Become acquainted with how it works. Suggestion: Set
the characters to the maximum amount (click on the + sign) and note the
options change. If you plan on using a MP3 Player to record audio
files to... then get acquainted with that device and how to get software
generated MP3 files into it.
Right Click on the text box and change your font size.
Randy and I encourage you to join the SKCC
(Straight Key Century Club) to get involved with the Straight Key
Morse Code community of enthusiasts out there in the Ham Radio Ether.
Check it out:
http://www.skccgroup.com/
I will be at the RCT clubhouse on Saturday Nov 12
between 10-12Noon to answer questions and give demos of the software.
Rich kr7w
11/11/2011 updated... |
