I really doubt that the difference between 25 wpm and 18 wpm means the difference between working globally or locally. You didn't provide the original reference of what you read, but as stated there could be many reasons why the op slowed down at the end.

For copying call signs there is no better trainer than RufzXP!

I just finished a SoftRock Lite II "cut" for 30 meters.

I was hoping to set it up on WebSDR until I found that it is for Linux (not a problem, but I don't have Linux set up at the moment) and that there seems to be no download link for the server software. I also downloaded SDR-Radio's app, which says something about remote access, but I'm too tired tonight to pursue it in detail.

Anyone else get their SDR on the web using one of the above or some other software? I would appreciate some pointers and tips to doing so. If I can get it done I'll be the only SDR site in Costa Rica    and I think the only one on 30 meters. Unfortunately, we are maxed out on our Internet speed 2Mb/768K until the monopoly here deigns to put in new equipment but that should be enough for 1 or 2 viewers.

Allow me to offer a couple of refinements here. As someone else in this thread noted a lot of people get stuck at a slow speed because they started learning by counting dits and dahs (they may not have even realized it), so there can be a drawback to breaking the problem into parts too small. That's why I'm a strong believer in using Koch/Farnsworth methods as part of (not solely) learning the Code. Furthermore, I don't think head copy of words, if you want to really learn it, is a matter of buffering up letters. It's actually hearing the entire word as one unit. "the" is one of the first easily recognizable words we all learn. We don't hear it as "t" "h" "e", but just as a single entity unto itself. When guys get to QRQ speeds (35+ WPM) they are even beyond hearing just words, they are starting to hear the sentences as a whole.

If the ladder line length seems to be causing problems on a particular band, instead of cutting and trying to find the magic length, just fold a length of it over on itself. You could use tape or some kind of non-metallic clip to hold the fold in place.

I like WB6BYU's solution, rather than spending 60 bux plus shipping for something ready-made (but then I'm cheap!) and complicated with inductors. Seriously, for 40 meters you only need to bend tails of 10 feet on each end if you run it straight across, less if you go diagonally. It will hardly make any difference in performance. Of course the 20 M will fit easily, but it's best to not run it parallel to the 40 M elements, though doing that is not out of the question. You will probably find that you can work on 15 meters as well with a tweak of the ATU.

Excellent list Jim!

I think a pen works better than a pencil, less friction. I'm of two minds about writing first and head copy later. I understand it's a logical progression, but that giant leap from writing to head copy seems like an enormous chasm the first time and I wonder if there aren't methods for learning it in your head first.  Also, once you get to head copy you should be starting to copy words instead of letters.

And then, of course, there are the QRQ guys!! ( http://cloud-warmer.blogspot.com/2011/09/qrq.html )

Give your mic and/or HT to the XYL or better yet some stranger and tell them to hide it and not give it back to you until you can copy at least 15 WPM.

I have seen so many ops who want to learn CW, but they keep spending their time on voice, meaning to get back to CW soon, ... real soon. There is just no excuse for this. CW for most folks takes a lot of work, frustration, and more work, but most of all persistence. The learning curve is like a roller coaster, up, down, flat, etc.; certainly not a linear gradient at all. But, if one simply applies themselves, say, 20 minutes a day, minimum, little by little progress will be made.

And while you're at it, keep the RX tuned away from voice transmissions. Instead, put it on CW transmissions and let it play in the background. A lot of it will filter into your brain by osmosis. Probably the easiest way to do that is to use a digi-mode program or one of the many WebSDR sites so you can find the CW traces very quickly.

Get the job done! dit-dit 

That's quite easy to do in G4FON. Simply increment the character count to 40 then go into Settings and all the characters will be there with a checkbox by each one. Just uncheck the ones you don't want to learn. Fully customizable.

Maybe this link has something that helps you: http://www.n8mdp.com/qsomap.html

I've tried a client mapper before but I've forgotten the name of it. Wasn't much use to me because it requires lat/long for each contact, which I don't have in my logs.

Seriously,  you should just set your start page to eham.net 

Also, did you try Help->Restart with Add-ons disabled?  It could be there is an add-on interfering.

Did you check Tools->Error Console to see if there are any messages there that might be relevant?

Are you printing from the message pull-down Other Actions or from the File menu? In the File menu what happens if you select a message then try Print Preview? What about Page Setup in the preview window?

Is the ground where you are particularly hard or rocky? I've always just used a step ladder and small sledge to get rods into the ground, but I haven't been up against anything really hard. You might try soaking the ground with just a small trickle of water for about 12-24 hours. Sometimes that helps, especially if the ground is very dry.

I must not be a serious ham, I guess, hi!  I have a Twitter widget on my blog I use for announcing my on-air activity, and a separate Twitter account for use during QSOs. Just another knob to turn ....