[CW] Article in 73 Magazine by Bob Shrader, W6BNB (SK) about Keys!

[Richard Knoppow]

     This is a very interesting post. I know the "vibrating" 
method and could do it when I was younger. It does use the 
forearm muscles. I found it very fatiguing. I also think the 
adjustment of the key, i.e. gap and tension, can make a huge 
difference.
     I am curious about the difference in muscle use between 
sending on a straight key, typing (on a mechanical machine) and 
playing the piano. Typing is done almost entirely with the 
fingers. The finger muscles are in the forearm but seem to be 
different from those used to operate the key. Playing the piano 
seems to use a much greater variety of muscles. My carpal tunnel 
problems were mostly from typing. On any kind of keyboard but 
perhaps mostly from the computer. That may be because I use the 
computer keyboard much more than a mechanical typewriter. Before 
my surgery my left hand would become so painful I had to stop. My 
right hand has never been this bad but I am close to getting it 
done too.
    There are at least two techniques for using a bug: one uses 
mostly the fingers and the other a wrist motion with little 
finger movement. I mostly use the second.

On 9/1/2019 7:34 AM, Chris R. NW6V wrote:
> Howdy there DR.
> 
> Thanks a bunch for putting up W6BNB's article. It contains a 
> wealth of information.
> 
> One thing however: his description of how to send with a straight 
> key is VERY different from my own technique - and in my opinion, 
> may be at the root of many of the "glass arm" reports that drive 
> people away from hand keys, and cause "glass arm."
> 
> Having been clocked at 30+ WPM on a straight key (plain text 
> equivalent) in a radiosport contest (which I won) I am one of 
> those ops he speaks of who can "vibrate" their fingers at high 
> speeds. But fact is, the fingers aren't what's doing the 
> vibrating! At least the muscles that control the fingers - the 
> forearm muscles - aren't what's causing the vibrating - they hold 
> the wrist and fingers in dynamic tension - like the mainspring of 
> a bug holds the contact spring - the fingers thus "vibrate" when 
> hit with the impetus of the muscles of the upper arm - the biceps 
> and triceps!
> 
> There is NO thought whatsoever of "moving the fingers." It's more 
> like cracking a whip composed of upper arm, forearm, wrist and 
> hand - with fingers at the end - than shuffling through a stack 
> of file folders with one's finger tips. And my wrist motion is 
> the opposite of what he describes - my wrist tends to be moving 
> down on contact closures - not up.
> 
> I admit the possibility that my technique may be entirely unique 
> and entirely my own, and "right" only for me. But again, so many 
> people find the SK a challenge, I have long suspected they are 
> being taught ergonomically incorrect techniques (I have a 
> professional background in ergonomics).
> 
> Perhaps I'll have the time and resources to make vides about 
> technique some day. I'm hoping to do a seminar on SK/Bug use and 
> adjustment at next year's Seapac conference.
> 
> 73 Chris NW6V


-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL