[CW] Whew! Shinny new bug....

[James Hull]

First, my apologies to Ron for hijacking his thread on bugs.  This conversation has now turned to the ideal "starter key" and I think I should have initiated it with a new thread.  Sorry, Ron.

Ron's argument for an iambic key is pretty strong with his caution against "glass arm" and the implication that any straight key can induce "glass".  From what I have read, though, "glass arm" is an affliction common in those that spend hours pounding away on a key.  I don't think that I will fall into that category so my risk for that should be pretty low.  For now.

Ron also implies that the iambic key and associated electronic keyer combination is the evolutionary "leap" or "next step" in CW technological advancement.  That is a true statement but doesn't address the notion that a newbie like me ought to learn how to manually form the dits and dahs first before relying on the technological aids.  I think that this is what Whitey was implying when he brought up the issue of learning code timing and spacing.  My parents made me learn how to drive a car with a stick shift first before driving the car with the automatic transmission and I have always appreciated that lesson.

Dave pretty well alleviated my concern that LRC's The Patriot/SKCC key was a good key for the money.  I own and use the more expensive Craftsman hand tools (socket sets, wrenches, etc.) instead of the much cheaper knockoffs because they are more comfortable in my hands AND have a lifetime guarantee.  But I don't own the professional-grade Snap-On or Matco hand tools because of the much higher expense without a similar improvement in performance.  Honestly, a $200 LRC key is expensive when compared to a $75 J-38 but if I only buy one straight key in a year then the cost isn't really all that bad AND if it is enjoyable to operate then I will spend more time on the air.  The Patriot is still on the wish list.

Kilobravo only made me salivate for what is probably a much more expensive, but absolutely stunningly beautiful (from a geeky engineer's perspective), Marconi key.  I am going to have to save up my nickels and dimes for one of them.

But it was Lee that provided the clinching argument for the venerable J-38.  Lee made the case for the J-38 based on his professional experience as a commo guy in the Army and his comparison of the J-38 against the others in his personal key collection that he implies to be extensive.  The clincher, though, was his tag line:  "Been at this since 1953."

My conclusion, based on the input from everyone:  Find and buy a J-38 now, buy an LRC key as an "upgrade" if I find I like this CW hobby, and consider switching to an iambic paddle if I find myself "hooked" on CW and spending many hours on the air.

Many thanks for everyone's input.

Jim Hull
KK4EOU
SKCC #14457

Sent from my Raspberry Pi



> On Jan 23, 2016, at 12:16 AM, Lee <L at w0vt.us> wrote:
> 
> 
> Jim,
> 
> I too was a CW operator in the US Army.  The J-38 is a winner.  If I was to only keep one key, it would be the J-38.  As I said a nice one these days will cost you $50 to $75.  However a tarnished one maybe with some scratches will cost around $25.00 but will be perfectly functional.  I think just about everyone with a big collection of keys, paddles and bugs has a J-38.  It would be my strong recommendation to buy a J-38.  After a lot of experience and you want to "branch out", fine go do it and buy some other types. But I bet if you do this you will never be sorry you bought a J-38 and I bet you will never want to get rid of it either.  It's a classic.   I suspect more J-38s get traded in a single day then any other type key sells in a year.  Designer keys and a J-38 will both get you down the road.  I can't say enough for it.
> 
> I do have a large collection of keys, bugs and paddles.  A couple have cost me up to $1000 each.  That said, I would never part with my J-38 and it would be the last one to ever leave this shack.  I can't imagine another key working any better then a J-38.  The fatigue level is low using one.  It is a classic design.  You will never be sorry you obtained one.  Take the advice of an old timer, and then later on if you wish, try something else.  I'll make a wager with you, I bet you will not think any other key works any better then a J-38.  You can spend a lot more money and get no better performance, just a lot of wiz bang glitz.
> 
> Lee, w0vt
> Been at this since 1953
> ______________________________________________________________
> CW mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:CW at mailman.qth.net
> CW List ARCHIVES: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/cw/
> Unsubcribe send email to
> cw-unsubscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Subscribe send email to cw-subscribe at mailman.qth.net
> Support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> 
> =30=