[ARC5] US Morse Exam History...Commercial versus mateur (OT)

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 22 Dec 2012 at 6:49, Mike Everette wrote:

> I have a keyer, but don't use it much... a Hallicrafters HA-1, with a
> Vibroplex Virokeyer paddle which is the only kind I've ever been able
> to sort-of master.

I have an HA-1 also. I bought a Bencher paddle, and eventually, a Heathkit 
HD-1410. I never have been able to get proficient with either one. I got them 
in case my arthritis became too bad for me to be able to use my bug, but that 
hasn't happened so far.
  
> On Field Day, it is quite handy to use a bug -- my weapon of choice --
> and be able to send slower using the Dah-side as a straight key, in
> the event of QRM or a doofus operator on the other end whose "morse
> reader" is confounded by the bug.

Yes. I much prefer my 1936 "MacKey", although I do have a Heathkit 
keyboard too. I don't use the keyboard much since the straight keyboard 
hurts my arthritic wrists. If I could convert to use a modern "curvy keyboard" I 
would probably use it a lot more.

A good friend gave me a very nice Vibroplex about 2 years ago. It is a very 
nice instrument. Trouble for me is that I have become so used to the 
"MacKey" and its much higher action, that using the Vibroplex makes my 
wrists and fingers hurt. I suppse if I ever wear out the MacKey I will get used 
to the Vibroplex.

Ken W7EKB