[CW] Re: Cootie Sending

[Fred Adsit]

Knew I would forget something. Thanks for filling in a big blank!! I cited
two letters of the alphabet but never explained what you explain below,
which is precisely right. Once you start, you just keep going back and
forth in a normal sequence of characters, i.e. in a normal QSO.

Thanks, David
73 de Fred NY2V

----- Original Message ----- 
From: David J. Ring Jr - N1EA
To: Fred Adsit ; cw@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 10:30 PM
Subject: Cootie Sending

Hi Fred,

(previous subject was titled:  Re: [CW] Re: [Fists] Which iambic paddle
for a beginner.

I just wanted to add one comment to your great write up on the sideswiper.

When operating the cootie key, the arm rocks LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT and
continues back and forth - never changine to the same side twice.

LRLRLRLRLR or RLRLRLRL - either is fine - but don't "stutter" by going
LRRLLR it produces a jerky swing.  I found that was a problem I had to
overcome.

When practicing, send each letter and start on the LEFT - then do the same
letter but starting on the RIGHT.

This will really help.  I've noticed that sometimes I freeze up and linger
on the "dash" side when I should realize that there is NO dash side on the
cootie!!!

Dashes are made on both sides, dots are made on both sides - the key works
smoothly by going LRLRLRLRLRLRLR all day.

But I've really started to improve by practicing sending each letter
(number) by starting alternately on the LEFT then on the RIGHT side.

73

David Ring
N1EA
(L RLRLRLR)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Adsit" <ny2v@earthlink.net>
> Someone who was starting after many years away from CW also saw my
> comment about a sideswiper made from a hacksaw blade. <snip>