[CW] Newbie

[Will White]

Their are many differing opinions on this.  On the pro side, any CW practice is
good practice, and sending practice builds what is known as "muscle memory" that
can reinforce your receiving practice. OTOH, especially if sending with a
straight key, as a beginner, you risk listening to lesser quality code. Maybe a
ciompromise is to practice with a set of paddles? Really, I think if you go
*slower* than you can receive, and are diligent to send excellent, well-spaced
code, the straight key is fine, and it is far easier to learn paddles after
becoming a journeyman straight key op, than the other way around (another
mistake I made!)

scott wrote:

> Many thanks to everyone for the good advice on learning the code.  And yes,
> I want to learn code for on the air use and not to just get my license.  I
> really have no interest in voice operation.  The thrill in ham radio seems
> to be in making the contact and telegraphy (in my opinion).
> Question:  I probably should be learning and developing my key pounding
> skills and practicing sending the letters on a key as I learn them.  Does
> this make sense?  What would be a good quality key to get?  Any guidance
> would be appreciated.
>
> Scott

--
Will White, KD7BFX
Seattle WA US
King County, Grid CN87tq
ITU Zone 6, CQ Zone 3
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"The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand.
The ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat.
You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles.
The wireless is the same, only without the cat."
                                                      - Albert Einstein
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