Hi Marty,
Like you I am also working on my code speed with mixed success. I have found
that to get past 5 WPM, an effective technique is to code out signs and
license plates of cars out loud as you drive. This will get your brain used
to associating the letters and the sound of the characters instead of the
"-.-." visual trap we may have started with. I wouldn't recommend doing this
technique unless you drive alone, however. : )
After that becomes old hat, try working stations on the air. Since I am
allowed no outside antennas, I resorted to just listening to QSOs. Instead
of following the traditional advice, I chose to listen to fast code (25+ wpm)
even when I couldn't hardly copy any of it. After a few minutes I copied a
character every now and then. Soon it was a couple of characters together
and then small words. I feel that this may have circumvented some of the
plateaus that are encountered with the traditional methods.
Thirdly, I like the shareware program "PED" which is a contest simulator.
You can do several modes that will spit callsigns at you or let you copy the
automatic contest type exchanges or try your hand at them yourself. They say
the Sweepstakes contest is the single most concentrated code practice session
available, but it only comes once a year. With PED, every night is contest
night. RUFZ has been mentioned on QRP-L as a well liked shareware program
too.
These are what I'm trying. Your milage may vary.
Good luck and 73,
John Oppen, KJ6HZ
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