[Elecraft] next up: advice about what girl to marry!

[N2TK, Tony]

I would like to add my 2 cents on the subject. Having the opportunity to
being on the other end of the pileup periodically, it sometimes drives me
crazy trying to pull out a call because the CW is almost undecipherable. It
sure seems like the sender is using a straight key and hasn't mastered the
correct duration and rhythm of dits and dahs. It would probably be easier if
someone were having trouble with a straight key to switch to iambic keying.
At least the spacing and length of the dits and dahs would be correct.
I have been using an iambic keyer so long I would hate the thought of going
back to a straight key. I have seen some folks who can send great CW with a
straight key. But I would bet they are in the minority.

N2TK, Tony


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Steve Jackson
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 8:49 AM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] next up: advice about what girl to marry!

> But, what is the best key to start with -
> straight, iambic,
> non-iambic? or
> what. So many choices and I need advice.

I echo what Don said and might chime in with a few
other comments ... I hear SOOO many absolutely
dreadful fists these days, most with new 2x3 calls -
but not all!! ... I am simultaneously ecstatic about
the recent, rapid re-emergence of Morse activity ...
and appalled at the fact that most of these new hams
must have come to the mode sans Elmers and
straight-keys.

Code is (as far as the brain's processing center is
concerned) music, and all music has rhythm.  You don't
need a computer-aided drum to catch the beat when you
are first learning, and in fact, using one to start
with is probably a bad idea.

Invest in a top-grade straight key (such as the
Hi-Mound) and keep it for always ... and then add the
iambic after you are receiving above about 10-12 WPM.

Steve KZ1X/4



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