[CW] High speed sending ...

[Randy Goff]

What is the allure of using a keyboard for sending?  Simple ... speed with
few errors.  Some may use them to send decent CW because they can't or just
don't wish to take the time to learn paddle operation.  Most of the QRQ ops
(CFO types) use keyboards to jump past the 35 or 45 wpm ceiling they run
into with paddle keyers.  Of course these ops do not use computers to copy
with.  Actually, copying is the easy part.  Keeping up with a keyboard at
60+ wpm can be the real challenge.

High speed CW is just another facet of our wonderful hobby.  There is a lot
of satisfaction in QSO'ing at high speed.  If you want to play real QRQ you
need a keyboard keyer.  Evidently there are a few ops who can exceed 50 or
60 wpm with a regular paddle keyer, but I have never worked any of them.  As
for QRQ QSK, it's easy.  When the other op breaks in you just hit your abort
key to dump your buffer and begin copying.

Several years ago I switched back to a paddle keyer.  But heck, it's still
an electronic aid.  The straight key purist may scoff at the artificial dits
and dahs.  I guess it depends on ones perspective.  My point is that most of
the keyboard QRQ ops are accomplished CW operators who have used the
keyboard to take CW to the next level.  The non-QRQ guys just want to send
clean CW.

73,
Randy  KD8G,  W8KEY