[Elecraft] help for lurker, not really off topic

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Hi Oscar and welcome:

I suggest that the way to learn paddles is the same way you learned the
straight key: practice, practice and then do some practice.=20

I had to go through that in the '70s when I converted to a keyer, then I =
had
to go through it all over again when I went back to my ol' Bug a few =
years
ago.=20

My favorite practice material is the phone book. Take a page and start
sending. Names, numbers, everything. Listen to yourself and go for zero
mistakes for a page. I can do it about once in ten sessions, although I =
get
through half a page at least on a bad day on the bug. If those paddles =
don't
work smoothly and reliably, invest in some real paddles. Don't spend a =
lot,
just get something that works when you press the levers and which works
EVERY time!=20

If your current paddles make dits and dahs on command but your fingers =
get
tied up trying to figure out which way to go next, there aren't any =
paddles
in the world that will help with that.=20

And, yes, after 50 years I STILL practice. Once you get the hang of a =
keyer,
you'll be able to forget practicing much unless you want to do a quantum
jump in speed. But with the manual keys I find that regular practice is
essential to constantly hone my timing and keep a swing or other bad =
habits
away.

BTW, there are no "poor" CW ops... just some who have more practice =
under
their belts than others, Hi!=20

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289

-----Original Message-----
Hello my name is Oscar and I'm a poor CW operator.=20
).... 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..
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.=20
OR should I set the K2 for straight key and pull out the old Western =
Union
telegraph key and forget about a keyer?
Any suggestions appreciated. Too many qrp rigs to just set idle...
Oscar K5UBS   NETX QRP and NORTEX QRP

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