[Elecraft] SKN

[Dave Sublette]

To all,

With tongue firmly in cheek and a smile on my face (try that!) let me 
say to this issue....GET A LIFE, people.  I remember the "good old days" 
of the straight key.  I could hardly wait to ditch the @#$%^ thing and 
get a bug.  I bet the use of the straight key was the second leading 
cause of carpal tunnel syndrome after operating the manual printing 
press.  Then I could hardly wiat to ditch the @%$@#$%#$ bug, which 
couldn't be adjusted for decent dot speed without wrapping the arm with 
about a pound of solder between the weights, for a W9TO Keyer, which I 
built.  Then I couldn't wait to ditch the $%^&* 12AX7 multivibrator 
circuits which would, at random intervals lock up or send odd length 
dits or dahs,  for a solid state keyer, the Micro TO keyer, which I 
built.  It was pretty good, but I like the modern, Mode B iambic keyers 
better. I can't warm up to the keyboard method, so here I am....stuck at 
this point.

I would use the straight key for a few hours on SKN, if I could find my 
1957 J-38, but I don't know where it is. 


And while I am playing the part of curmudgeon, let me say that no matter 
which is used, straight key, bug, or modern keyer, the use of the good 
old QLF Q-signal will be desparately needed.

Having said all of this (which is waaay too much already) let me say 
that CW is my favorite mode and I encourage everyone to get on by what 
ever means they can from using two wires to a keyboard and use CW. I 
will patiently and gladly work you and won't even use the QLF Q-signal.

73 and Merry Christmas to all.

Dave, K4TO