Farnsworth timing

Traditionally, reducing the speed of Morse code has been done by making everything take longer, i.e. both the sounds and the silent periods between them.

Using Farnsworth timing, characters are sent at the same speed as at higher speeds, while extra spacing is inserted between characters and words to slow the transmission down. The advantage of this is that you get used to recognising characters at a higher speed, and thus it will be easier to increase the speed later on.

Using Farnsworth timing is optional in Just Learn Morse Code.

The ARRL uses Farnsworth timing for transmissions, practice and test tapes up to 18 WPM (90 CPM).

Farnsworth timing was invented by Donald R. Farnsworth (W6TTB) in the late 1950s.

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