CW Page 4 Study Log
Highlighted Posts
For my daily TLDR posts see My Page 4 Morse Code Study History Google doc
Jan 15, 2024 - After a discussion with Evan K2EJT a LICW Beginners 1 Carousel teacher at 1pm Pacific time. I practiced at 12/6 for 7:05 Min MCW-QSO, Sent Rand at 12 WPM. LICW Beginner 1 Carousel starts at 12/8. Farnsworth 8 spacing is a bit fast so I tried 12/6 and did OK. I may drop/ped into his class one day on 1/25. More about this Youtube and email discussion with Evan K2EJT at bottom of page.
I watch ham Youtube videos for possible inspiration an even do an occasional post. On January 15, 2024 I Replied to a YouTube video: K2EJT's tips for CW Beginners. He is an LICW# 3740/i Instructor at the Long Island CW Club. Beginners Carousel 1 class, on Thursdays at 4PM Eastern. SKCC# 27425
@PaulK7VIQ Went through original LICW Beginners 1 and enjoyed it. I never got got past using Farnsworth 16/6 using a Morserino. #266
Reply @EvanK2EJT Some people really have a hard time, so you're in good company. 16/6 is perfectly respectable, and definitely worthy of being on the air!
Reply @PaulK7VIQ Thank You. I have never heard Farnsworth on the air. I have considered starting over with Beginners Carousel 1 even though I would have to relearn at 14 wpm. Never could wean off off Farnsworth. I did make the mistake learning from our home encyclopedia chart as a child not knowing any better. I have a hard time with timing dits/dahs(never could learn music) it seems I have done best with my paddles helping me keep timing like a metronome.
@EvanK2EJT @PaulK7VIQ You'll hear Farnsworth occasionally, but not that often. I heard a QSO a few days ago that was probably 15/5. I actually recorded some of it because it was so slow. It certainly couldn't hurt to go around the BC carousel again and see if you can wean yourself off of the Farnsworth. It's definitely not easy once you've learned to use it, but it's also not an insurmountable mountain.
January 15,2024: I even got an Email from Evan Thorson to DE.K7VIQ I just looked at your QRZ page, and I see you've been with LICW for a long time. If you started back in 2019, you started with their Beginners program at 20/5 if I remember correctly. Now we teach at 12/8 in BC1, 12/10 in BC2, and 12/12 in BC3. We found that starting students with the added Farnsworth was detrimental to their learning. If you haven't given a BC1 class a shot in a while, I'd encourage you to give it a try. If you can do 16/6, 12/8 shouldn't be too much of a stretch. If you do decide to give it another shot, we'll give you all the support you need. Thanks for watching my videos, and thanks for the thoughtful comments! Evan K2EJT
This led me to do some practice and so I created this new page for My Page 4 Morse Code Study History
My other Morse Code Practice pages
K7VIQ CW and Keys - My overall Morse code history.
My Page 1 Morse Code Study History - First time through Beginners 1 with LICW. 20 wpm character learning. Got my completion certificate.
My Page 2 Morse Code Study History - Trying to progress after Beginners 1 when I found out I could not manage Beginners 2 because I needed wide Farnsworth spacing when doing "word" groups.
My Page 3 Morse Code Study History - Continuing to try to progress by doing QSO practice. Can do 16/6 and stayed stuck with this wall. I took a break learning code from Nov. 11, 23 because it was taking to much time and never progressed to the point I could get on the air. The best I got was 16/6 and was never able after years of practice to breach that wall.
My Page 4 Morse Code Study History - This page using LICW Beginners 1 Carousel of 12/8 to try to slow my code but decrease Farnsworth spacing. Will 12 wpm and striving for 8 Farnsworth work better for me? So far, at 12/7 :) So what if all I ever get is 12/12 at least I can get on the air with that. For my daily TLDR posts see My Page 4 Morse Code Study History Google doc