Head Copying CW • AmateurRadio.com
I let my Morse lapse for a while and now I have taken it up again I too am at the difficult head copy stage. I also tend to make assumptions on some words. I have listened to a number of stations who’s spacing basically is almost non existent. I find this the most frustrating, and I usually just spin the dial. There are some fantastic coders who are a pleasure to listen to. I hope maybe one day I can accomplish their skill. Thanks for the post Richard 73 Mark
When you put extra space between words or at least give the proper spacing, many good operators appreciate it and compliment you on it.
With practice, everything improves. The greatest “trick” I learned about writing down a word when that’s all you can do at first is to wait until the next word is being sent before writing the word down. This usually eliminates the guessing that slows the operator down when it is not the letter or word you thought it was before hearing it completely. A three-count between sending words also gives the receiving operator time to know that the word you just sent is complete. These things are beginners’ tricks that prove to be worthwhile and with practice, they can also become habit and improve speed and correct copying and sending. Speed is of no use if the other operator/s have problems communicating with you.
Thanks for the post, Richard. It is very helpful. I just completed a CW Academy Level 1 a couple weeks ago, and am able to send (with delays) at 20 WPM, but am also at the head-copy dilemma stage. The Academy is a great course of 2 month’s duration. There are three levels of the course. I have signed up for level 2 in January, but am thinking I might delay until I get through this barrier. (Level 2 works to get one to the 25 WPM point). Level 3 works to get to the 30 WPM point. It seems that your experience is close to my perception/ expectation for working to achieve the 20 WPM head-copy point. I am working on recognizing letters at 20 WPM with instant recognition. I still need up to three repetitions to ID some of the letters. I am also using my IPhone to learn to copy words at 30 WPM (with “dah dit”) to “build” the multi-letter recognition long enough to make common word recognition comfortable.
