[CW] Re: Puerto Rico Straight Key Party

[Bruce Wright]

With reference to David Ring's comments on a recent QSO, he wrote:

"I have been looking for someone who can send 25 wpm plus - I forget but
someone doubted that it can be done, but I know it can be done - I just
can't do it any more - but this fellow can and did - and he is 73 years 
old."

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

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