In article , Keith
writes:

A better idea than just operating. They might even agree, although I
wouldn't bank on it.

Another problem that was pointed out to me are people with disabilities.
According to the American with Disabilities Act the government can not
discriminate against disabled people .
Now that s25.5 is international law the government must now accommodate
disabled people and they must do it without reasonable delay.

Keith:

Hmmm. Hoping for another round of the "JY1 Effect" eh? Perhaps you
should write a letter to Tony Blair! There is historical precedent for
Presidents named Bush wrecking the ARS at the request of foreign
heads of state who had US hams whine to them about code testing!

73 de Larry, K3LT

In article ,
(Michael Black) writes:

Mike Coslo ) writes:
C wrote:
No I am not doing a memorizing of each dit and dah and converting
method. My problem is my brain does not react fast enough to decide what
each character is before the next one is sent. I just get further
behind. I practice at least 20 to 30 minutes usually twice a day if not
more. I use computer programs and ARRL training CDs.

I will check "The Art and Skill of Radiotelegraphy". Thanks for the
encouragement.


Ahh, that training CD! I used it, and failed miserably at it. Turns out

I memorized the darn thing. You might try a program that sends out
random groups or even makes up QSO's.

- Mike KB3EIA -

With most people having computers, learning CW should be so much easier
nowadays. Not like when I was ten, and bought a telegraph set so I
could learn Morse Code, not realizing that sending is not he same thing
as receiving.

One of the things I've wondered about is whether one could get used
to the sounds of the letters subconciously via a program that
sends the morse letter everytime you press a key on your keyboard.
You wouldn't really being paying attention, but it would be a positive
reinforcement of what sounds go with what letters. I'm not sure
it would be a completely painless method, but it would either help
get someone used to the sounds, or reinforce the learning already done.

But I'm not sure anyone has cooked up such a program.

At the Military Intelligence School at Fort Huachuca, their ONLY
morse code cognition machinery is computers running two morse
code generation programs. One of them is available over the
Internet for free.

Fort Huachuca is the only center for any morse code training in the
USA, including civilian government employees. They teach morse
code only for the needs of a few electronic intelligence tasks, solely
concerned with interception, not communications.

At the very least, with people spending so much time at their
computers, I'd suggest running a CW practice program, sending
random letters, while you do something else at your computer.
Set the volume relatively low, and don't even bother trying to
copy it; just use it to get used to the sounds.

I would suggest using the personal computer on-line as an education
resource, learning more about radio and electronics.

The future in amateur radio is technology, not the constant emulation
of a 159 year old primitive alphanumeric substitution system.

I suspect some of the problem some people have is that they are
trying way too hard. They see the code as an obstacle, and are
fighting it all the way. "Now I'm going to do my hour of code
practice". In the old days, that would mean going to a code
practice course, or buying one of those records (I had one to
start, and I think it did help), or listening to a receiver
where the code might not be optimal or under the best conditions.
You sit there with your pen and paper, and struggle to get it
all right. But moving it into the background makes it less important,
and perhaps by simply getting used to the sounds before struggling
to get it all, it might all come easier.

Archaic Radiotelegraphy Service. Has a ring to it. [tinnitus]


LHA

In article , C
writes:

My only gripe with the code is the testing. It is stated as a 5 word
per minute test. When I challenged the test a few weeks ago I found that
it is actually anywhere from 13 to 18 words per minute, not 5 words per
minute. The 5 words per minute is a lie....

The standard test is 5 wpm "Farnsworth spaced" Morse. The characters are sent
fast (~15 wpm) but extra space is inserted between each character so the result
is 25 per minute. Which is 5 wpm.

IOW, "Farnsworth" sounds like this:

dahdah.................................dahdidahdah ........................
........dahdit...............

instead of

daaaaahdaaaaah...................daaaaahdiidaaaaah daaaaaah......daaaaadiit
...........

However, if you would prefer the latter, it can be arranged as an accomodation.

Why not tell it like it is....

They do.

Those giving the test do not want to make
it easy for anyone who has a learning disability or not. I have never
been able to memorize anything easily when in school, and was accused of
being from lazy to stupid. My father told me that I was ignorant because
I was partly colorblind. I do not want sympathy, just after studying for
almost a year to pass the 5 word per minute test for what it is suppose
to be not what someone who is more proficient with the code wants it to
be.....

You can ask for accomodations such as non-Farnsworth Morse, different tones,
headphones instead of speaker, etc. But you have to contact the VEC ahead of
time and arrange for it, in most cases.

Look for the G4FON free software and download it. Does a better job for most
people than records or CDs.

Quote from a satisfied user (WA2SI):

"Here is the link to download G4FON's
'Koch Method CW Trainer' as well as KB2TQX's 'KochRX.'

http://www.qsl.net/g4fon/CW%20Trainer.htm

Lemme tell you, this makes learning and practicing CW really fun, almost
like a PC game. Download and install both into the same directory and then
start off with two characters. KochRX allows you to enter the sent Morse
character on your keyboard and at the end of the session (You can vary the
time and speed.) it'll compare actual sent vs. what you've typed and grade
it."

Also please visit:

http://www.9bit.qc.ca/ve2crd/cours/CW_course.html



Good luck.

73 de Jim, N2EY

In article ,
(Steve Robeson, K4CAP) writes:

(Len Over 21) wrote in message
...

All I want to do is see the morse code test eliminated.

Why? Of what possible interest or affect does it have on you
other than you are incapable of passing it at ANY speed?

Who in the hell made YOU the "monitor" of what is right and wrong?

YOU are so far gone into psychosis you can't distinguish right from
wrong except that anyone doing it the same way YOU did is
"right" and everyone else is "wrong."

You've acted like some wanna-be Attila the Ham and you have
FAILED, sonny.


I'm sure you'll get that "Extra right out of the box" as soon as you
figure out how to open the box.

Couldn't do that. The FDA pulled all the boxes from the shelves.
Inspectors found it contained tainted ham and the remains of a
code key. They are tracing the key remnants now and suspect
it may have your fingerprints on it.

In other words: "I lied and now I can't shake off those who
repeatedly prove that I am a liar".

YOU have an extreme psychological problem with the word "LYING."

That could be due to childhood trauma suffered by being whipped
or beaten when YOU were caught lying. Or, it could be that you
developed into such a bull**** artist (amateur standing) that you
cannot understand truth from fiction.

I CAN pass the written elements of a US amateur extra without any
problem. Today, yesterday, a week past last Tuesday, years ago.

The point is that I don't care to achieve "the greatness of an amateur
radio license."

YOU can't possibly understand that. All that YOU are interested in
is so wrapped up in YOUR own personal psyche that YOU CANNOT
debate ANY subject without becoming outraged when opposite
opinions are expressed.

YOUR debate on subjects consists of nothing more than personal
attacks on those who don't share YOUR lifestyle beliefs in the honor,
glory, and all other fantasies you have about amateur radio.

No problem, Lennie. We know you're a liar. No need to make
excuses.

You are still off your medications.

Sad. Someone who is in the caregiving work category who just
doesn't care about anyone but himself.

LHA