[Waverley ARS] Learning Morse

[Adam Carmichael]

Hello list!

I've decided to apply to join the ranks of the elite and start to learn 
CW Morse... There's a method called the Koch method (Binnu, this was the 
name of the German psychologist I couldn't remember on Saturday) which 
encourages you to learn at a target speed, and learn individual 
characters at your target much like the reflex action touch typists use 
to learn (can any of us remember typing AFSAS DAFSA SSFSDA DASF in a 
typing tutor program? Well this is a similar principle).

I'm setting a target speed to learn at 15WPM. Why so fast (well it seems 
fast to a noob like me)? Because any slower and the brain will try to 
build up tables of sounds and map them to the letters causing "lookup" 
problems at about 10WPM as it tries to remember a particular letter. The 
Koch method encourages reflex, so it's better to get over this hump 
before starting.

If anyone wants to join me, I've downloaded the very schmick "Koch 
Method CW Trainer" by G4FON (and unlike a lot of freeware which looks 
terrible, or commercial software which comes at a price - this is 
professional looking freeware!).*1,2

Another page I highly recommend if your more interested in how the Koch 
method works is at *3

It makes Morse very accessible to anyone with a pen, some paper, and a 
computer that can play sound.

Regards,

Adam

*1 OK, technically its CardWare - G4FON simply asks for a QSL card.
*2 http://www.g4fon.net/CW%20Trainer.htm
*3 http://cw.hfradio.org/koch_1.html

-- 
Adam "carneeki" Carmichael - VK2FNRD
p: +61 415 37 1990
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