[Elecraft] Fastest: paddle or bug?

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

No argument there, Dave! I have used a keyer a lot over the years, and I
found that I was most likely guilty of run-on spacing at slow speeds
with a keyer. If I wasn't careful, I'd constantly 'lead' it because it
was making CW slower than I usually sent. I have the same issue at slow
speeds on a bug, too, but I usually cure that by switching to a straight
key below about 20 wpm.  On a straight key I tap one foot for timing and
just pump it along nice and steady to match the other op's speed.

But at higher speeds, especially in a rag-chew, just the pause to decide
how to phrase the next comment automatically inserts spaces in the text.


Actually my old homebrew "accu-keyer" (ca. 1975) featured selectable
"word spacing". I turned it off because it'd force a word space if I was
just a tiny bit slow getting from one letter to the next in a word, and
if I err, I tend to allow too much rather than too little space. But it
was a "try" to help ops put in word spaces. I don't know if any of the
current crop of keyers even offers that.

Also, you are absolutely right about good sending being sending that is
not noticed! That's true whether sending CW on a key or writing prose on
a keyboard. It's what I find most objectionable about a 'swing'. Where
we are different (perhaps) is in what we notice. Like I said, I'm no
"high speed" op and at 40 wpm I'm concentrating to follow the copy. I
have no problem with a good bug fist or a keyer, but then I am "working"
the ol' gray matter already, so at those speeds I am probably not as
aware the subtle differences than you are, sitting back and simply
following along.

73,
Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
Interesting, Ron.  Unfortunately, keyers don't know when one should be 
spacing between words and when between letters. ...

The monotony of perfect spacing may (possibly) become trying at 15 wpm,
but 
above 25 wpm it is hardly trying and above 35-40 it is de rigueur. 
Personally, I never tire of perfect sending...One can tire of the
sending only if you are conscious of it.

dave belsley, w1euy