[CW] Re: nonIambic keyer option

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Adsit" <ny2v at twcny.rr.com>
To all readers... No flames, pse. Read the article. Then flame the author,
if you really think you have a case. I remember the last major go-arounds re
paddles and keyers and modes. We really shouldn't go through that all over
again. Best to get on the air and use CW. After all, our minds are made up.
It would take a lot to change them.

73 - Fred NY2V


----- N1EA's Message ----- 

Fred,

I couldn't agree with you more about getting on the air with CW.  It is a 
great mode.

But I am constantly interested in different modes and keying types.

I have been interested in the Kitano type of key for 25 years since I saw 
one of the finest CW operators that I've known use TWO J38 type keys next to 
each other.  One key was hooked to "dots" one was hooked to "dashes".  The 
man, Barney Norris, W4MTE was absolutely flawless:  by this I mean that I've 
listened to him for 8 hours of sending and he corrected himself about four 
times on average.  One day he never corrected himself at all - because all 
his sending was perfect!

I searched the net for Barney's presence and I found the Laurel, MD club
http://larcmd.org/ which proudly says they test for hams and DO NOT charge 
anything.

What a great idea!

Barney was one of several operators that I knew that were exceptional.  Was 
the use of his two keys just window dressing?  Or was it what enabled him to 
send for 8 hours continuously without an error?

Now, I know that what he did with a keyer could be done "by all" with a 
keyboard - but I think there is something about doing it by hand.

I know I was a Ludditte (from those who revolted and destroyed automated 
textile machines) about CW but I did find extra accuracy in iambic for a 
reason not given in Marshall Emm's writing about iambic keying:   fatigue.

There is more finger fatigue in sending a period (didahdidahdidah) than an 
"E".  With an iambic keyer while you are sending a period, you actually get 
a rest.

I also was a Luddite when it came to "code readers" until I discovered that 
by using one, that I could make my Vibroplex bug able to be read - which 
meant it was closer to "pure code" than what I was sending.

I used to "hate" to admit that I used a code reader to improve my bug 
sending - but I did.  I was able to HEAR my errors with the bug - subtle 
errors not exactly easy to hear - but they were there.

I know that keyboards and Wheatstone perforator sending is perfect (or the 
later types of teletype Baudot to morse converters) but what I'm interested 
in is an efficient means of sending as error free as possible with the hand.

I am so happy about your single lever key - but I got an offer for a nice 
keyer that I've been dreaming about buying - so I am equally excited.  With 
this keyer, I'll be able to try the different modes.  The default mode of 
the keyer the maker says is the "best" even better than Curtis Mode A - 
which I have found to be the best.

73

David N1EA