[CW] Even more cootie stuff...

[Mike Hyder -N4NT-]

Hi, Tony, et al--

Back years ago I was learning to use a bug again after years with an
electronic keyer.  I ran into Hack, K4KP, in Chattanooga.  He congratulated
me and suggested that once I had the bug tamed, I ought take up the
sideswiper.  He commenced to switch deftly between all three keys.  Hack was
a master.  He said that over the years he had made sideswipers for six
operators who had promised to learn to use them but not one had learned.  I
promised him I would learn if he would make a Cootie for me.  There were
many times I regretted that promise but stuck with it.  Learning to use a
sideswiper was by far the hardest thing I've ever done.

Being a perfectionist, I took a survey of any cootie operator I chatted with
about the method they used to operate the key.  Hack began each character on
the same side he would when using a bug but said that was not the only
method.  Most of the eight or so other operators in my survey were over 80
years old (this was perhaps 20 years ago and their cooties are probably
silent by now).  To a man, they said they either began each character with
their fingers and never their thumb or they said they sure wished they had
learned that way.  I conveyed this information to Hack, who had almost
finished my sideswiper, and he said he agreed with the others and wished he
had learned that way, too, but had not wanted to discourage me from learning
in whatever way I chose.

I did not see Bartachek's article for many years after learning to use the
cootie and do not pass on what is "correct" or "incorrect," but feel it is
important to pass this information along.  The real old timers are gone and
I am just trying to pass along their thoughts as best I can.  If I had it to
do over, I'd do precisely as Bartachek describes, beginning each character
with the fingers just as I do.  But if one has a different idea, that is his
prerogative.

So I join with Hack's idea to learn whichever way you choose.  At least now
your choice will be a bit more informed.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it !

73, Mike N4NT
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Tony Martin W4FOA w4foa at comcast.net
Sat May 15 17:33:16 EDT 2004


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Hi Roy,
It is good to see the increased interest in the cootie key, isn't it?

My initial thought was to not make any comment regarding the "proper" way to
use a cootie key but then I thought maybe my opinion might encourage someone
along the line that finds JB's method confusing.

While I think JB has done a great job in encouraging folks to learn to use
the cootie key, I do, personally speaking, take exception to his comment
about starting every letter or character with the finger, as opposed to the
thumb. I did what I guess is the typical progression from a hand key to a
bug, to a paddle, to a cootie key, etc.  Still use them all and have one of
each on my operating position.

Anyway, my thoughts on JB's idea of beginning each letter with one's finger
as opposed to the thumb actually make things a bit more difficult, rather
than easier.  For example, if you are used to using a bug, or paddle, you
use the thumb for "dits" and finger(s) for "dahs".  Therein lies the problem
as I see it.  If you are already used to making the initial dits with your
thumb and dahs with your fingers, why complicate matters by saying you begin
each letter with your finger(s) when using a cootie key?  It is highly
probable that you are already "naturally" wanting to use the same routine as
you used on a bug/paddle, that is to say, if you are going to send the
letter "L", you will be inclined to begin that letter with the thumb (as you
do on a bug)....and likewise, if you are going to send "Y", you as a bug
user, will naturally want to begin with your finger(s).

I just read that and it is confusing...my apologies.  What I am trying to
convey is this, I don't believe you need to learn to begin each letter any
different than you would if you were using a bug or paddle.  In my case, the
first element of each letter that I send on a cootie key begins exactly the
same way as if I was going to send it on a bug.  It is as automatic as
breathing, and even better, I don't have big red marks on my hand from  the
rubber band torture, as in Mike's case,hi. I believe learning the way I have
described above really is important, especially if you want to be able to
switch from a bug to a cootie, to a paddle with minimal confusion.

I learned to use the cootie, as I did the bug, paddle and hand pump, by
myself.  In fact when I learned the code, I didn't have a code oscillator.
Being a 13 year old, I didn't think it seemed strange that since I didn't
have an oscillator to make the tones, I would just make them with my own
voice...which I did. So there's my 2 cents, FWIW.

Please don't take this as criticism of JB's way of learning to use the
cootie.  My comments are offered as encouragement and perhaps another way to
anyone who may have had difficulty in learning the "other" way.

I'd be interested in other's opinions as well....

JB, thanks for all the effort you have put forth on your fine webpage!

Mike, I hope you are not still using the rubber band, hi.!

CU on the bands...

Tony, W4FOA