[CW] Best Straight Key Key Grip

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

I am resending this message because there were reports that the picture 
didn't come through.

Early texts describe "The Catlin Grip" as "like holding a pen" and 
illustrate the hand in - ta-da - the position of function. See the photo 
attached. But sometime in the beginning of the 20th century, the 
pictures were redrawn, showing the wrist flat. And that became the 
defacto default. The picture shows the Catlin Grip which is what was 
used by Chris NW6V to win 1st place in straight key sending contests.

Many radiotelegraphers - myself included - send with a straight key and 
never get glass arm because I evolved away from a flat wrist posture.  I 
never use my wrist to send with.  I use my arm my wrist is totally 
limp.  Instructors in Morse when I learned would come around to see if 
your wrist was tense, if it was your posture was incorrect as you were 
using your wrist, and not your arm which is the correct posture.

With sending with both a semiautomatic key (bug) and a sideswiper, I use 
the lower arm, NOT the wrist to send. The wrist is totally limp.


73

DR

catlin grip.jpg
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