[CW] Re: Puerto Rico Straight Key Party

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

Thanks Bruce.  I am still looking for a recording.  I can send you a
suitable Marine Weather report if you'd like to send for me!  Perhaps being
a "FIVE", you'd be interested in sending the "Gulf of Mexico" WX report for
me?

You might be interested that the possibility of someone sending 25 wpm on a
hand key was hotly debated as being impossible here on the CW reflector last
time I mentioned that I was looking for someone who could "still" do it.
Many said it was plain impossible!

I think others would would be interested in contact spacing?  Can you fit a
piece of standard writing paper through it?  How many pieces, or is it
better measured by saying it is 1/32, or 1/16 of an inch?  I think I must go
to around 1/64 of an inch sometimes!

I find that close spacing helps on very (to me anyway!) fast code, but is
not good for slower code.  The key spacing needs to be wider at slower
speeds.   1/16 of an inch is recommended as a good starting spacing, and I
believe that would be a very good "average" setting as well.

73

David Ring, N1EA


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bruce Wright" <shortwaves@msn.com>

Nice!

Actually, it is not too difficult to achieve speeds in the 30 wpm range for
short periods of time if one has a suitable handkey, its adjustments with
regard to contact spacing and spring compression force are attended to and
its position atop the operating desk allows for a comfortable placement of
one's wrist and forearm...And, of course, all of these factors are
iimportant in forming code characters with consistent weighting, spacing and
rythym.

Although I am a bug user, and never having learned keyer/paddle mechanics,
the fun of operating a handkey at higher speeds is quite special.

For many years, my favorite handkey had been my original novice key, an E F
Johnson Speed-X, the one with the rectangular base and skirted knob...It has
allowed me to send consistently well at speeds in the 27 or so -to- 30 wpm
range for several QSO's having multiple exchanges in an operating
session...Others, including a J-37, J-38 and several Bunnell steel lever
keys--while nice to use at lower speeds--haven't proved suitable to me for
such sessions.

BUT, the acquisition of a Navy flameproof key, model CMI-26003A, has proven
even better in this speed range with respect to its smooth action and
positive feedback...Again, one must set contact spacing and spring
compression force correctly, the former with very close spacing and the
latter with just enough resistance to allow definite, positive return of the
lever...This key has been a dream to use, its mechanical feedback is so
doggone good!...This had really surprised me insofar as I had real doubts
about it when I first purchased it because of its tall mushroom-shaped knob
and its over-all geometry.

Just my two-cents worth,

Tnx es 73,

Bruce
WC5CW