[Boatanchors] tube CW iambic keyer?

[Garey Barrell]

Eugene -

The TO is probably the best tube based keyer that is still readily 
available.

I used one for years, and still have a couple that I use occasionally. 
One caveat.... They are _NOT_ "IAMBIC" by today's definition.

Today, an "iambic" keyer is one that is designed for use with dual 
paddles that operate as follows. Press the "left" lever, and you get 
dots. Press the "right" lever, and you get dashes. "Squeeze, or press 
both levers at the same time, and you get "dot-dash-dot-dash-dot-dash" 
for as long as you hold them together. Various models have "dot memory", 
"dash memory" and several other "special" features.

The TO Keyer however, operates a little differently. Pressing the left 
or right lever operates just like the "iambic" type keyer. BUT, when you 
squeeze the two paddles together, you get only dashes for as long as you 
hold them together. If you release the right lever while holding the 
left lever closed, it goes back to dots. There are NO memories, only 
what was called "self-completing", meaning that once you start an 
element, dot or dash, it will send that complete element plus the 
following space, even if you only "tap" the paddle". So if you press the 
left paddle, then tap the right paddle after the dot has started, 
holding the left paddle closed, you'll get the letter "R". Or the letter 
"L" if you hold the left paddle TOO long!

I learned on a tube keyer that preceded the TO Keyer, but operated in 
the same fashion, what I call "Dash override", and used the TO Keyer for 
many years. As a result, I have trouble using a modern iambic keyer with 
a dual paddle, without a little "retraining". I tend to get an "R" 
instead of an "A" when sending my call with an iambic keyer because of 
the different timing. I can use a Logikey (Idiom Press) Model K1 Iambic 
keyer if I set it to "Emulation mode V9" which is described as "Iambic 
mode w/no dot or dash memory". Otherwise I get all sorts of "extra" dots 
and/or dashes!!

73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA

Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line & TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
<www.k4oah.com>



eugene at hertzmail.com wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> What are the general options of products that one would look for when 
> looking for a tube-based iambic keyer (for a paddle)? I know the halli 
> TO HA series which look nice. Anyone have experience using them? Good? 
> Bad? Indifferent?
>
> Any other ones I could keep an eye out for? (Just can’t get into the 
> modern MFJ looking ones!)
>
> Thanks
>
> Eugene
>
>