Over the years I've spoken with many Hams who were unable to break through to decent CW proficiency until they encountered the Farnsworth method. Until I actually got on the air and was "talking" with CW, it was hard for me too. For their success, I'm happy to see the Farnsworth method practiced.
Success with Farnsworth code requires TWO steps be completed. I've run into many Hams who are frustrated to the point of quitting CW because they only completed the first step. The first step is to be able to read individual characters at some chosen target speed. To do that, relatively large spaces are left between characters - long enough for the brain to finally go "Aha!" and recognize each character before the next one is sent. The second step is to reduce the spaces between characters to match the target speed, so the CW flows properly. Just as there's the important 3:1 ratio between dits and dahs, there are equally important ratios between elements, characters and words. I've run across many Hams how never learned to copy with the right character and word spacings. For them, on-air CW from most operators is a confusing string of dits and dahs. Because they never learned to copy CW characters at various speeds, they can't copy even if the sending station slows down, lengthening the dits and dahs correctly while maintaining the correct spacing and cadence. For them, CW at 8 or 10 WPM is just gibberish sent very slowly. If you choose to learn using Farnsworth spacing, understand that it's critical you learn to copy with the correct character/word spacing as well, and then you learn to copy a range of speeds with the correct spacing, at least over the range of 8 or 9 WPM up to perhaps 20 WPM. Some of the new Hams I've helped found learning to copy correctly-sent CW at least as difficult as learning the characters initially. I'm still happy I learned with the correct spacing from the start, struggling to get my copy up to 5 WPM to pass the Novice exam, then the 13 WPM General, 20 WPM Extra Amateur license, and the 20 WPM Second Class Commercial Radiotelegraph operator's license using all the punctuation marks (anyone remember what a dollar sign is in CW? How about parenthesis, brackets or a semicolon? - I know you do Phil! You're just an FCC "bear" in retired Ham's clothing!) Nowadays I take great pleasure in being able to copy those with very... Er... "obscure" fists <G>. I didn't realize the ARRL was sending code practice using Farnsworth, but I've *never* heard them send bulletins or other material with anything but the correct spacing. Of course, "Farnsworth" spacing is perfect is perfect CW, once the spacing is corrected for the target speed. Fun with CW is to get that proficiency, copying with the proper spacing and with an ever-increasing range of speeds. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
