[CW] W6BNB Bob Shrader's method of using a straight key.

[Richard Knoppow]

    David, no picture. I think perhaps the CW list does not accept 
attachments.
    I can understand holding the knob like a pen. I think I actually do 
this. The movement of the wrist is still what I would call vertical but 
the wrist is rotated slightly inboard (i.e. the right hand rotated a bit 
toward the left) so there is some relief from the tension of a fully 
"flat" position. Is this about what you mean?
    With regards to a bug, I send with a sort of rolling motion of my 
hand, not a lot of force used. My forearm moves a little, not sure what 
muscles are used. I get carpal tunnel pain when typing but not when 
sending code on either type of key.

On 1/20/2024 6:06 PM, D.J.J. Ring, Jr. wrote:
> 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
> N1EA

-- 
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
SKCC 19998