[CW] Sideswiper..

[Mike Hyder -N4NT-]

Hi, Richard--

The way I use a sideswiper is explained at:
 http://www.mtechnologies.com/cootie.htm

There are other ways to use one.  Someone sent you a link to a Maniflex
instruction sheet.

Here's what I said before:
----------------------------------
When I got my first Cootie, I began an investigation by asking every Cootie
operator I could find for advice on how to use it.  I wanted to learn it
'right.'

I found there were three methods employed:
1.  Beginning every character with the fingers as Bartachek and I do.
2.  Beginning every character on the same side as one would do on a bug.
3.  Beginning a character either way and then beginning the following
character on the opposite side from the side the last character ended with.
The fellow who used this method said it gave 'balanced code', but I couldn't
do it!  Every time I hit a new character, I had to THINK about how the last
one ended -- I don't do thinking very well.  I believe this is the way the
Maniflex instructions envision sending.

Everybody I asked told me they either used the first method or wished they
had learned it that way with the exception of one Canadian who swore the
third method was best.  The first two methods were preferable to me over the
third one because with each of the first two there is one discrete set of
motions for each character.  That means that my mind and body can become
conditioned to send without having to think of the mechanics of it.

But, following the advice of the old timers, I chose the first method.  I
did it because I deferred to their experiences AND because I thought that
sending that way on the Cootie would be so very different from sending with
a bug or keyer that I could then switch between all the keys without so much
confusion.  For me that worked.

So, send as you will.  Anybody who takes the considerable time and effort
that it took me to learn to send with a Cootie has my respect, regardless of
the method they employ.

73, Mike N4NT (often QSX 7020.3 kHz)
----------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Phillips" <ve3mfn@hotmail.com>
To: <cw@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2002 8:32 PM
Subject: [CW] Sideswiper..|
|
| Greetings CW group: A while back someone (N4NT Mike??) posted a link to a
| site that explains how a "sideswiper" key operates. I carelessly deleted
it
| before I had a chance to read it, so would it be possible to post it
again?
|
| Richard  VE3MFN
|
| http://www.angryharry.com