[CW] Need J-48-A Knob

[Sherrill Watkins]

Dear Tony: You have asked a VERY GOOD question! I will attempt to answer what
you do with your thumb and middle finger by quoting directly from the best
book ever written on this subject entitled "THE TELEGRAPH INSTRUCTOR", by
G.M.Dodge, third and revised edition, Copyrighted 1899, page 24, below the
very good picture of the proper way to hold a key is the following text:
"Take an easy and graceful position, always sitting erect and facing the key.
Place the first and second fingers on the furthest part of the key-button
(knob) with the thumb under the edge, curve the first and second fingers so
as to form a quarter section of a circle, partially close the third and
fourth fingers but do not allow them to touch the table. Rest the arm on the
table at the elbow. The grasp of the fingers and thumb upon the key should be
firm, but not rigid and should never leave the key when sending." The picture
shown is extremely clear and lucid. If you wish to see the picture you can
probably find a copy of this 100 year old book through interlibrary loan from
you local library or from a used book dealer. (This book has great advise
about learning, copying and sending code the right way! The way the
railroads, Western Union and Postal Telegraph and the press services did;
30-40 wpm, 24 hours per day!) However, if using a skirt on a key serves as a
"teddy bear", then by all means use one. (Just keep in mind the real
professionals only used a skirt as a safety device.) I apologize for the
length of this post but felt it is a very important topic and a excellent
question. - 73- Sherrill W. k4own.   

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Martin W4FOA [mailto:w4foa at comcast.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 2:06 PM
To: Sherrill Watkins; John Birkett; cw at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [CW] Need J-48-A Knob


WOW, so there you have it!

....and all of these years I thought the skirted knob helped my sending.  If
I take the skirt off, what am I going to do with my thumb and middle finger
that I place on the skirt?  Yeah, I know that is a "tempting" question, but
please don't go there.

Sherrill, IMHO, it really boils down to personal preference, and in my case,
it does serve a useful purpose.

73
Tony, W4FOA



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherrill Watkins" <SEWATKINS at dgs.state.va.us>
To: "John Birkett" <jbirk44 at yahoo.com>; <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 1:36 PM
Subject: RE: [CW] Need J-48-A Knob


Gentlemen: As we know, the J-48 (radio) key and the landline telegraph keys
did NOT originally have a skirted knob because they served no purpose. The
only keys that had a skirted knob were those that keyed spark and cathode
keyed transmitters that had a high voltage on the key terminals in order to
protect the operator from shock. Contrary to a lot of hype I have seen about
the skirt, it does not help one to send better. It only serves as a
"teddybear". So why use one?? - 73 - Sherrill W.

-----Original Message-----
From: John Birkett [mailto:jbirk44 at yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 11:04 AM
To: cw at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [CW] Need J-48-A Knob


Man, this is what I love about this hobby! The poker
chip idea for a "Navy" knob is so simple as to be pure
genius. Been wanting one for my Speedex, but balked at
the $15 + price tag. (Finding an old poker chip might
be a chore, though, hi)

John, KC2HTP

--- N2EY at aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 8/17/04 7:55:54 AM Eastern
> Daylight Time,
> aa4nn at earthlink.net writes:
>
>
> > J-38 had a flat knobbed button on the up-down
> lever.
> >
> Same for J-37. Those of us who like a "Navy knob"
> drill a hole in a poler
> chip and slip it under.
>
> 73 de Jim, N2EY _______________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> CW at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
>




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