8
Write down everything you hear as you practice. Be sure to put space in their proper places so
that it becomes a good copying habit for later copy of plain text code. For example, when starting
with
01#1
01#1
01#1
your copy should be written down like this: f f f f f . . . . . When you select
01#2
01#2
01#2
it should look like this: ff ff ff ff ff . . . . . With
01#3
01#3
01#3
it should read: fff fff fff fff
fff . . . . . etc.
The BT-1 and BT-1P are programmed to present the code characters in a logical straight-for-
ward manner. It is IMPERATIVE that you follow the CHARACTER SEQUENCE CHART in the EX-
ACT sequence presented, by following the Character <sequence Chart in the same order that you
would read a book (from left to right across the page and then drop down to the left side of the next
line, etc.).
Each new step you take will present a new challenge, be sure to practice on the current step
long enough that you feel very comfortable that you are copying correctly at that level before you
proceed to the next step. The BT-1 and BT-1P are meant to be used as self-paced trainers. Do
not be concerned with how others might be progressing. Each student is entirely different. Some
may start out learning the first few characters quickly, but then bog down later because of insuffi-
cient practice along the way. Others may show great difficulty at first, but find that the new charac-
ters become easier and easier to learn.
We recommend that you try to spend each 20–30 minute practice session of learning and prac-
ticing one new character. You will first start by hearing the character all by itself (in groups of one)
and practice writing it down until you feel totally comfortable with it. Also, you should repeat the
sound of the character in your mind with dits and dahs when you are first introduced to the new
character in groups of one. As an example, K should sound like dadidah and F should sound like
dididadit. Then proceed to groups of two where the new character is mixed 50 percent of the time
with all the previous characters you learned in a similar manner. Then progress through groups of
three, four and finally groups of five. Be sure that you are essentially copying solid in groups of five
before you progress to the next character. Typically a student will learn a new character each 20
minute practice session. When returning to the next practice session, start by replaying the previ-
ous practice session in groups of 5 with solid copy before you proceed to the next character.
Remember "Arbeit macht den Meister" or practice makes perfect. If you progress to a level
where you are having difficulty with a previously learned character, by all means go back to that
particular session number (where the character was introduced) and practice until you have it per-
fect.
