[Elecraft] help for lurker, not really off topic

[oscar a hoyt]

Hello my name is Oscar and I'm a poor CW operator. 
Kind of a take off on an AA meeting. (I'm not a member just saw it on TV)

I just had a qso with WD5ILB in Azel, Tx, he was calling CQ at a speed I
thought I could handle. He did very well but my sending with a home made
paddle (simular to the hand held type,theTE NE KE that KK5PY makes)....
well my sending on the air really STINKS...  In the Navy (aviation) I
worked as a radioman and passed a squadron code school at 20WPM sending
and recieving. But that was with a straight key, bugs were not even
allowed.. I've been told I had a good fist with a straight key, but not
real fast with it. 

My question is how do I improve my sending with a keyer and paddle?  I
know I should get on the air more and that would help but the poor guys
trying to copy my sending will go nuts!
Would a good set of paddles help? If so I think I can swing for a good
set. 
OR should I set the K2 for straight key and pull out the old Western
Union telegraph key and forget about a keyer?

Does anyone else have this trouble?  I like CW and qrp and have not used
SSB in a long time and I don't want to give up CW. Oh yes I'm an Extra
class and took the code test at the FCC office but didnt have to send,
just rec 20. 

Any suggestions appreciated. Too many qrp rigs to just set idle...
Oscar K5UBS   NETX QRP and NORTEX QRP

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