Andy
Thank you for taking the time to write.
I am new to SOTA. Old to Morse (70 years)
I do not write anything down. I have a keyboard which I use to log my QSOS.
Skills will always be different. I do not claim than my way of doing something will work for you or anyone else. It has worked for me. So try my suggestions. You may find some that work.
The ingredient to the equation includes time. I have spend more time learning Morse then anyone who might read this writing. Maybe not.
I shared my experiences. Years ago we would tune the band and we could find a friend by just listening to their “fist”, did not need for them to sign their call signs.
There are like there are in spoken languages a slight difference which will come from spacing. Accent is what we term it with spoken language.
Now we do not have much of that. Keyers can be adjusted.
Morse is a language to me. After 70 + years it should be. I do not criticize anyone. My experience is mine alone. I am a devoted CW operator. I applaud those who are just starting to use it. You can master it if you keep at it.
There was a TV program years ago. Contestants would attempt to name a TUNE with very little playing time. They started with a single note. No winner they went to 2 notes. Pretty soon there was a winner between several of the players. So part of our skill is building up a vocabulary in your brain. It will be triggered but you have to construct that memory which requires a lot of time. It does help to read text while it is being sent at a speed faster than you normally copy. It works for me.
I have library of MP3 files at very fast speeds. I listen to them and keep my brain working on copying fast Mores. It is like your muscles. Do not use them you will lose them.
Email and what we type here is not the best medium to exchange our ideas either. In person back and forth is better. We use what we have.
Have a good Weekend
cheers
73
Jim W9VNE