Morse Code Class Lesson 1 Agenda

Farnsworth
  What is Farnsworth? Why Farnsworth?

Writing
  How do you write when you copy CW?
  Hear the sound, write the letter.  Do this starting now.
  You must write something.  Develop the habit of writing in response
  to the sound.  Dot dash copy is prohibited.

Missing Letters
  If you miss the letter, guess at it.  Write any letter that
  you think might have a chance of being the correct one.  If
  you have no idea which letter it was, write any letter.  You must 
  make marks on the paper.  The number of letters that you copy
  should equal the number of letters in the message.  Even if
  all of the letters are incorrect, at least you're reacting to all 
  of them.  

  It doesn't matter if you missed this letter.
  Your goal is to copy the next letter correctly.

  In the beginning you will miss almost all of the letters, but
  as you practice you will miss fewer and fewer.  Soon you will
  have solid copy.

  But solid copy is not your immediate goal.  Copying the next
  letter correctly is your immediate goal, even if it means missing
  this letter.

  Eventually solid copy will be a goal.  You can pass the test
  by copying 25 letters in a row without error and you should
  eventually shoot for copying a lot more than 25 letters in a 
  row without error.  But for now, while you're just learning
  the sounds of the letters, you should concentrate on copying
  the next letter correctly.

  You can also pass the test by answering 7 of 10 fill-in-the-blank
  questions correctly.  You can figure out missing letters if you
  have copied enough of them correctly.  For example, 
  my job is el~tr~cal eng~n~~r.  Can you tell what I do even though
  you need to practice e, c and i?

  Your ultimate goal is to enjoy CW on the air.  If you can copy
  call signs, names, QTH, RST, etc. well enough but not perfectly
  you will have lots of fun.  And you will get better the more fun you have.

Tonight's practice
  Introduction of AERN+T
  Listen to Rosalie.  Write the letters as they are introduced.
  Never listen to Rosalie without writing.  You must do this starting now.

Sending
  Get a CPO and straight key and start practicing sending.  
  Sending practice does not count as your daily practice but
  it helps a lot when learning the code.  Practice sending with a friend.
  Back in "the good old days" amateurs were able to learn Morse
  code with just a straight key, CPO, and friends.
  Bring your key and CPO to class so we can work on sending technique.

Assignment for next week
  Practice AERN+T for 14 times (7 days * 2 sessions)
  Fill out the practice log to be handed in next week.
  Get a CPO and key if you don't already have one.
  Practice Practice Practice