[Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?

[John Young]

jferg977 at aol.com wrote:
> Comrades,
> I'm working on my code to get my licenses soon.  I will want to do CW with the k2 I will buy and build on board our trawler.  1st mate and CFO watches expenses like a hawk and will catch me if I (gasp) buy two things which appear to do same thing. You can't hide much from her on the 36 boat we live on. I intend to get the $80 MFJ code reader because some of you have convinced me that it is a good detector of unreadable output.  I'm hoping to get my speed and accuracy up by sending to the MFJ.  
>  
> If I ultimately intend to use paddles as most of you appear to be doing, why is it a bad idea simply to start with a set?  I can understand that what I'm really wanting to do is to train my "fist" and ears, but it looks like paddles involve somewhat different monkey motions and maybe it would make more sense just to buy a set and get on with it.
>  
> comments?
>  
> regards,  John Ferguson - M/V Arcadian (now in Norfolk,VA waiting for wave amplitude reduction in Chesapeake Bay before continuing northward)
>  
>  

John
    I am sure everyone will have an opinion and they will all be 
different. So here goes mine along with some background.

    In the early 70's I had and instrutograph (sp) that used paper tape 
to send code at any speed you set the motor drive to.  Much like the 
computer generated code practice today.

    I made an offer to make code tapes for anyone that sent me a 
cassette.  A high school student call and I became an Elmer via 
telephone.  After several months of learning the code from the tapes I 
met him in person and gave him the novice code test which he passed with 
a perfect copy.  I was not required to test his sending but I had a CPO 
and key with me and had him try sending for his very first time.

    What he sent sounded like it was machine sent.  It was the only code 
he had ever heard.  He passed his novice, upgraded and kept his first 
call for over 30 years.  He also started with QRP and has stayed with it.

    My point is don't buy any key until you know the code and can copy 
with out effort at over 10 wpm.  Only then buy the paddles and keyer. 
There are far too many people who think the know the code who should be 
forced to copy their own sending.

    That young man was WB6JBM who was a founder of the Flying Pigs QRP Club.

73
John
WA8KNE