Farnsworth vs Koch Methods
Compare two popular approaches to learning Morse code
Farnsworth Method
Fast characters with extra spacing
Key Principle
Characters sent at full speed (20 WPM) with extra-long pauses between them, creating an overall slower effective speed (5-10 WPM).
Visual Example
Best For
- • Beginners who get frustrated by slow code
- • Students preparing for ham radio tests
- • Learners who need time to think between characters
Koch Method
Start with 2 characters, add more gradually
Key Principle
Start with only 2 characters at full speed, gradually adding more characters once you reach 90% accuracy.
Current Level 2
Best For
- • Learners aiming for high proficiency
- • Building sound recognition skills
- • Long-term retention and accuracy
Interactive Demo
Listen to the difference between the two methods
Sample Text
Detailed Comparison
Understanding the differences between these learning methods
| Feature | Farnsworth Method | Koch Method |
|---|---|---|
| Character Speed | Full speed (e.g., 20 WPM) | Full speed (e.g., 20 WPM) |
| Overall Speed | Slowed by long pauses | Consistent as more characters added |
| Learning Style | Start with entire alphabet | Start with 2 characters |
| Focus | Easier pacing | Sound recognition & accuracy |
| Best For | Beginners who need time to think | Learners aiming for proficiency |
| Progression | Adjust spacing, keep all characters | Add characters, keep spacing |
Farnsworth Method Deep Dive
The Concept
Named after Donald Farnsworth, this method addresses a common problem: when learners practice with slow character speeds, they develop bad habits and struggle to transition to faster speeds. The Farnsworth method solves this by keeping characters at full speed but adding extra spacing.
Mental Model
Think of it as sprint... rest... sprint... rest. You hear the characters at full speed, but you have plenty of time to process what you heard before the next character comes.
Advantages
- • Prevents bad habits from slow character speeds
- • Builds confidence with fast character recognition
- • Easier transition to full-speed code
- • Good for test preparation (many ham radio tests use this method)
Disadvantages
- • May not build the same level of automatic recognition
- • Can be frustrating for some learners
- • Requires more time to reach proficiency
Koch Method Deep Dive
The Concept
Developed by German psychologist Ludwig Koch, this method focuses on building automatic recognition from the very beginning. You start with just two characters and only add new ones when you achieve 90% accuracy with the current set.
Mental Model
Think of it as short races that get longer over time, but always at the same speed. You master a small set of characters completely before adding complexity.
Advantages
- • Builds strong automatic recognition
- • Prevents confusion from too many characters
- • Clear progression milestones
- • Better long-term retention
- • More efficient learning process
Disadvantages
- • Takes longer to learn the full alphabet
- • Can be boring with limited characters
- • Requires strict adherence to accuracy standards
Progression Guide
Early Levels (2-10)
Focus on building automatic recognition. Practice daily with just a few characters until they become second nature.
Mid Levels (11-20)
Start building vocabulary. The more characters you know, the easier new ones become to learn.
Late Levels (21-26)
Fine-tune recognition. By now you should have strong automatic recognition skills.
After Level 26
Practice with full alphabet, increase speed, and work on copying longer messages.
Which Method Should You Choose?
Choose Farnsworth If:
- • You're preparing for a ham radio test
- • You get frustrated easily with limited characters
- • You want to learn the full alphabet quickly
- • You prefer a more traditional approach
- • You need flexibility in your learning schedule
Choose Koch If:
- • You want the most efficient learning method
- • You're patient and methodical
- • You aim for high proficiency
- • You prefer structured, milestone-based learning
- • You want strong long-term retention
Pro Tip
Many successful learners combine both methods! Start with Koch for the first 10-15 characters to build a strong foundation, then switch to Farnsworth to learn the remaining characters more quickly.