Copying Morse code in your head, not on paper.

[WB4CS]

I'm one of those old timer 20-WPM Extra class hams, but I've been off of the HF bands for about 10 years. In the next year I will be getting back on HF so I'm brushing up on my ability to copy Morse code. CW used to be one of my favorite modes to operate, but I always hit a brick wall when it came to copying above 15 WPM.

My problem is how I learned code. Because (in the olden days) you could pass a code test one of two ways. Either answer 7 out of 10 questions correctly about the code you just copied, or prove that you copied at least 1 minute of solid copy by providing the VE a written copy of the code sent during the test. The audio cassettes (remember those?!) I used to learn and build speed taught you to write down each letter as you hear it. This way you have a written text of the code you received during your test. This translated into writing down each letter of a QSO I had on the air, but my hand just won't write fast enough to copy beyond 15 WPM. This also resulted in several composition notebooks full of CW QSO copy!

In the mean time until I get back on HF, I've been listening to the ARRL Code Practice archives to brush up on my skills. This time around I would like to learn how to copy in my head instead of writing it down. For you old-timers and CW lovers, how would you recommend I go about changing my bad habit of writing down the copy and begin to hear letters/words in my head?

I know, practice, practice, practice!

(And NO I will not entertain the idea of using a computer or other device to copy high speed code. Keyboard CW is not CW in my opinion.)

 

[kennyloatman]

I been at coping code in my head for the last couple years. I am still at only 10 WPM. I listen most nights to code practice on W1AW or whoever is sending slow. W1AW has a schedule on the ARRL web site. The trick is to form the words and then remembering them long enough to make a sentence. I get practice from the wife when the grandkids are around if she doesn't want them to know what were saying, as in planning to take them out somewhere special. She spells the words out and I try to remember them to form sentences. Small three and two letter words are easy, It's trying to remember the big words in the sentences thats hard for me.

 

[n5ims]

You're about at the point where your brain needs to change from listening to individual characters ("h e l l o") and start listening to words ("hello"). This isn't an easy transition, but can be done. This is similar to learning a foreign language where you start out translating the word to your native language ("rojo, oh that means red") and end up knowing what it means without doing any translating (red, rojo, stop sign color - all the same thing!).

 

[k9rzz]

I've operating CW since 1974 and for me there's a sweet zone where copying in my head is the easiest way. Too slow and I start forgetting what was sent before, I gotta write it down ... too fast and I struggle again, probably 'cuz I'm still trying to copy letter by letter instead word by word.

I would suggest just puting the CW on as background noise and let your brain absorb it without sitting down at the desk thinking "okay ... here we go, practice time!". Just let it run in the background and soak it in. I like doing that while mobile in the car.

A friend of mine (Silent Key) could copy in his sleep. He did that once at Field Day ... it blew my mind. "Hey Steve! Did'ja copy that one?" (he was snoring) "Yup ... that was K9xxx, WB4yyy, and AB6zz." Whoa ...

Funny, years later, at his funeral, I found out that this was one of his favorite stories to tell as well. RIP Steve.

 

[kennyloatman]

You're about at the point where your brain needs to change from listening to individual characters ("h e l l o") and start listening to words ("hello"). This isn't an easy transition, but can be done. This is similar to learning a foreign language where you start out translating the word to your native language ("rojo, oh that means red") and end up knowing what it means without doing any translating (red, rojo, stop sign color - all the same thing!).

The word "the" seems to be the most used word, I can pick that out of a sentence without even trying to count the dahs and dits . Phrases also like "ES'' (end of sentence).

 

[majoco]

Phrases also like "ES'' (end of sentence).

Hmm.......I always thought that "ES" was Spanish for "and"....that's the way I've always used "ES" and nobody has corrected me on air or back at the club....

 

[W2NJS]

CW shorthand...

The word "the" seems to be the most used word, I can pick that out of a sentence without even trying to count the dahs and dits . Phrases also like "ES'' (end of sentence).

Majoco is correct; ES is code shorthand for AND. Spanish for AND is Y, pronounced E. End of sentence is, IIRC, BT.

Been a while but I can still copy a solid 15 WPM which, while not great, still gets me by.

 

[mikewazowski]

Keep practicing writing it out by hand and slowly your brain will start to do the translation without you having to stop and think about it.

and yes, ES is short for and.

 

[zz0468]

Hmm.......I always thought that "ES" was Spanish for "and"....that's the way I've always used "ES" and nobody has corrected me on air or back at the club....

You are correct.

I've been copying in my head for 30+ years. I don't know what my code speed is now, I'm a bit rusty, but at my peak it was about 35 wpm. I do CW mobile, and only write down the name, callsign, and times for the logbook.

It's not texting, so I'm not distracted. =)

 

[majoco]

W2JNS said:

but I can still copy a solid 15 WPM which, while not great, still gets me by.

My old radio school tutor said 'better to send it once slowly, than lots of times fast...."

Although we had to pass the exam at 25wpm sending and receiving, numbers and punctuation, most ship radiotelegraph operators ambled along at 15 to 18wpm.

One North Atlantic passenger ship I was on (#3 operator!) had a sign in the radio room "Send it once, send it right!".

There's no stigma attached to a slower operator, in fact perfectly spaced morse is a joy to behold - but everyone has their own characteristic way of sending, I know I tend to extend dashes sometime a bit toooo much! It was called the 'banana boat swing"! :roll:

 

[elk2370bruce]

13 to 15 wpm has always been the "hump" or "wall" that most of us hit when learning code and then copying in the head can begin. Sending too slowly always has held me up for solid copy since I prefer words to letters for recognition. Now that you're back on the key, its just a matter of time before you toss the written notes and then the fun really begins. I got hung up for a while just around 20 wpm and struggled to get my mental picture. Now that I've got it down, I can clip comfortably at 25-30 wpm most days. Welcome back brass pounder.

 

[kennyloatman]

Hmm.......I always thought that "ES" was Spanish for "and"....that's the way I've always used "ES" and nobody has corrected me on air or back at the club....

In all honesty I was guessing that ES stood for end of sentence. I think most could understand my misinterpretation when it seemed like one sentence was ending AND another was beginning. Thanks for setting me straight guys.

 

[WB4CS]

Thanks all for the advice! I went with K9RZZ's advice as it seems most likely to help me. I downloaded several archived W1AW .mp3s at 13 WPM and saved them to a CD. I've been playing that in the background while I drive around town, and have been trying to copy letters or whole words in my head. So far so good!

 

[majoco]

There is quite a significant difference between the social chatter of a ham QSO and the necessity for complete accuracy in commercial telegraph message handling - especially if the message is in a foreign language or five-letter code groups. 15 to 18 wpm is middle ground given that propagation conditions are seldom perfect.

 

[oneoclock]

head copy of Morse

A blind operator told me to put down the pencil when I was trying to convert from paper to head copy. Close your eyes, and sound off the letters in your mind as they come in. This requires the speed to be above 15, and actually, it gets easier as it gets faster up to a point. Too slow, and the sounding of letters does not form a word in your mind.

I suggest tuning into someone running at 20 or above and try it. Learn to forget about the missed letters and catch the next one. Pretty soon, you will be sounding off the words in your mind, and will get the gist of the message. The tough part after that is callsigns, which don't form a word. So, contesting will still be a struggle, but rag chews will be fun.

Also, like one post said, record QSOs off the air, and listen to them while driving, or on an airplane, or whatever. I was copying 30 meter cw QSOs (stored on my mp3 player) while on my last flight from PA to TX. Who needs a radio?

 

[N6EV]

.... sound off the letters in your mind as they come in. This requires the speed to be above 15, and actually, it gets easier as it gets faster up to a point. Too slow, and the sounding of letters does not form a word in your mind.

I've used this method for decades to copy code in my head. I thought it was the norm for head copy until I realized the vast majority of ops copy / recognize word patterns, or queue up visual letters in their mind rather than what I call the 'phonic method' where the letters are pronounced in the mind as they arrive. I do believe it uses an entirely different part of the brain (the aural part for listening to speech rather than the part visual part for reading or pattern recognition). To me, this method is just like listening to someone talk. As a result, it is effortless and easy to hold a conversation (once mastered). I'm sure it's not for everyone, as we all have different aptitudes as far as our brain is concerned. It's a possible alternative if someone is having a hard time with the traditional 'visual' or 'pattern' methods of head copy. Or you may want to give it a try right from the start of learning to copy in your head. Bottom line, there is no right way to do it.

I wrote a brief write-up describing the 'Phonic Method" on the SKCC Forum:
SKCC • View topic - Head Copy, An Alternate Method: Phonic Copy

Regardless of how you copy CW, have fun!

73
Paul N6EV
FISTS / SKCC / CWOps / NACC
N6EV's Amateur Radio Home Page
Code Elmer

 

[w0fg]

There are a whole raft of learning aids out there. I particularly like Morse Runner, and RufzXP. Here's a list of some others too.
Morse Code / Software: Morse Code Training