Paul's Memory and Learning Morse Code

 Info commonly used on my web locations.  And serves as a backup.   My General Ham Radio History.doc   

 Link to a previous self analyzation.  Morse Code Summary of CW Skills Aug. 20 and finished Aug. 24,  2023.doc

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3/26/2024 - I decided to write down my memory issues I have dealt with during my life, and how it relates to me learning Morse Code.  

    I have always had a difficult time learning in school and the skills and hobbies I have wanted to use in life.  Before there was Google I used the HD on several PC’s My TRemendoS-80, Amiga 1000, Commodore 64, a Palm Pilots and then a Palm Model 4, and several Windows PC’s’.  In the ara whenever you lost the memory on a device or an HD you lost the memory’s within, those memories I kept there were then gone.   I have long used Google Drive to create documents and sheets to help me think outside my brain.  In the era of Google I have long used G Drive to create documents and sheets to help me think outside of my brain using PC’s, Android phones and tablets, Chromebooks. 

   I deal with a fogged out brain, Constant chronic fatigue, Constant leg pain, Restless legs and Low sleep.  But I still have a desire to learn even though my brain wigs out, Fogs out, and goes AWOL, after only a few minutes of trying.  As seen from My page 4 CW Practice Log.doc where I record my latest efforts.

   I still have tried to learn new things over the years.  Bible verses, Bible books order, Electronics, Ham Radio, Morse code, Diving, Languages, Welding, About Horses, General building skills, ect.  If its a skill that I can re-figure out on the fly, I have done well.  I have reasoning power, just not a good memory.

   Even though I am often in a reclining chair, I can still use a PC to practice Morse code.  I enjoy trying to use my brain for something and Morse code is a good choice.  I do wish I could use my IC-7300 radio from a comfortable recliner.  While I have not needed it for some time, I do have a wheelchair at my radio desk now, but it is not the most comfortable to sit in and I have no other place to store it.  I have seen small reclining chairs I could purchase.

   3/26/2024 - One thing I still fight to this day is a seemingly impossible battle with learning Morse Code.  Why?  I have always liked it, something that I have wanted to learn from a child.  I have tried to learn it ever since looking it up in our family encyclopedia as a grade school child.  

 A sample practice day from My Page 4 CW Practice Log when I started very well and rapidly declined:

  March 27, 2024 12:50 am -  MCW-QSO 12/8 WPM  At 88 Char's got 87.80%. "K7VIQ de JJ6ATV <BT> ur rst is 578 578 in qth cairo name hr is gregg gregg <KN>".  By headcopy as I do, I missed the Call, Loc and Op. Got RST. Got the intro to each though. Would have done better if I made paper handy and I wrote it down.   

  March 27, 2024 1:52 pm - Tried writing one down did Bad, About 5% - I tried writing QSO down but the distraction of writing kept me from identifying the chars so I could not write them.   

 March 27, 2024 1:55 pm Eh,  About 20%.  - Repeated the same QSO later by headcopy and did not do much better.  So my brain was done. 

  Overall bad days and personal feelings aside, I do Good and get 60-80% depending on my;  Brain speed recall,  Concentration ability,  Tiredness and, Pain level(leggs).  Despite my longtime efforts it still feels possible.  All I can do is keep at it.  At least I am using my brain even if it is not always productive.

During breaks, rhymes I do make:

   I like the following line from a science fiction movie: 

                                 ”Never surrender, Never give up, full speed ahead!"  Galaxy Quest, Movie

   I created a few lines of my own to express myself:

A No-Code Ham, Working to be a Know-Code Ham. 

From the slogan “Be a Know-Code Ham” from the early days when a No-Code ham license was new to encourage No-code operators to continue to learn Morse Code.  I would love the exact source.

One day I will trade CW practice logs for a real QSO log.  My page 4 CW Practice Log

I know more daily practice is a must,  but I do what I can do each day as my brain goes to mush.

I've always had to wrestle my brain to see thoughts through a relentless fog,  

Learning becomes a grueling slog, to get unstuck in the relentless quagmire of a bog.

CQ, CQ, I try hard but my thought do fall, and what is left can be few,  The op is Paul, K7VIQ

CQ, CQ, I try hard to do the code, for me a very long road,  

The op is Paul, and I CQ, as K7VIQ.

During our call, may my CW not fall,

until we set the frequency free, and end with 73.

So far, my desire is greater than my ability, 

but as long as my desire leads to continued effort,

then one day I will enjoy the ability desired.