By: John WA7ZZ
I am relearning Morse code. I first learned it 60 years ago in the Army and could copy at 23 wpm. I can see the advantage of head copy, but how does one know that they copied correctly if one is practicing by not writing it down?
Comments on: Head Copying CW
International Ham Radio News Opinion
Latest posts
By: Alan M7ESI
As a 74 year old Limey I have been learning cw for a year. I guess I’ll need another year or 2 to head copy at 30 wpm. I believe success is the square root of effort! It took me 4 years to learn to fly and become an instructor, so I’ll keep on keeping on. 73s Alan M7ESI
By: Carl GW0TQM
When I took my cw test, I was disappointed to note the examiner puffing on a lit pipe without asking either of us first. I was musing to myself that some people have a dangerous allergy to nicotine when it dawned on me we were half way through the groups of numbers part of the test. I passed. I can t head copy.... But my right hand can... Apparentkt
By: Bill, WG0R
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…
By: Francis kg5dkg
This is a skill I am working on now!
By: Dwight. w4IJY
Tried to register only to find out only PayPal is the only card accepted. Disappointed!
By: Nolan Kienitz - KI5IO
Good post Richard. Most appreciated for this old-timer who still struggles with "head copy".
By: Bob KK5R
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…
By: Mark GØNMY
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…