[Elecraft] Key, Keyer, Paddle etc. Recommendation?

[Ed Juge/NM]

Hi, Kirby...

Congratulations on the K2!!  You'll love it.

A straight key is the best way to "become proficient" with CW.  Once you're
in the 12-15 wpm range, a straight key will be tiring.  A keyer is better.
However, don't just jump on the air immediately with a keyer.  You'll
probably find the first few times that you tire easily with the paddle, too.
Then your dots and dashes will get so jumbled you can't even sign off.

Before you actually get on the air with a keyer, spend a couple of hours, in
10-20 minute sessions, sending yourself text out of a magazine.  The K2 has
a "practice" mode where you can use its built-in keyer without putting out
any RF.  (Press & hold for 1 sec. the MODE/VOX button.)  Using the keyer may
even make you better with a straight key since you'll get used to the proper
dot and dash lengths and spacing.

Most paddles are quite usable. You can sometimes find them at hamfests or
sidewalk sales for $50 or so.  I see quite a few going for under $100 on
eBay but be careful there...  eBay users are notorious for bidding prices up
beyond the new price for the same item.  You can get a bargain if you're
patient and watchful and don't get caught up in the last minute feeding
frenzy.

I agree with other comments that Bencher and Vibroplex paddles are excellent
and among the more reasonably priced units... especially if you can find
them used.  There are a couple of really "basic" paddles available... one
made from a "Bulldog" paper clip and one MFJ sells that appears to rely on a
single springy piece of metal with knobs on it.  I have not used either and
my inclination would be to avoid them for other than temporary portable use,
though the Bulldog has gotten good reviews.

Someone mentioned the Schurr Profi 2.  It and KG2ED's custom-made "Long
Island Mercury" paddle --and the no-longer-available custom-made N2DAN
Mercury and Hensley-- are the Rolls Royces of the paddle world, but they
range from $269 to $500+ new.  I saw a used N2DAN Mercury (the maker is now
deceased) bring nearly $2,000 recently.  These (maybe excluding the Profi 2)
are priced beyond the threshold of pain for all but the most dedicated
and/or affluent CW operators.

Someone mentioned a bug.  NOT the thing to start on, though most of us who
were into CW before the introduction of electronic keyers had no choice.
New ones are expensive.  There are some used bargains ($65-100) on eBay and
elsewhere.  A bug is the most difficult key on which to send really good
code.  A bug user is almost always responsible when you hear really BAD
code... those long dashes, poor spacing, etc.  Some users consider that kind
of code their "CW personality."  I won't work 'em... mostly because I can
rarely copy 'em.  Not to say all bug users are bad... I've worked some you
couldn't tell from a keyer, and that's a real art form in CW.  I'm not
knocking bugs... they happen to be my key of choice.

Good luck with your choice.  You're in for some great fun.

73... Ed, W5EJ


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kirby J. Davis" <kb4utz@usa.net>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2002 7:48 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Key, Keyer, Paddle etc. Recommendation?


OK... now for a really stupid question...

Now that I've about finished the base rig what do I do about a key or
keyer or paddle...?

<snip>