[Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?

[N2EY at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/8/05 3:56:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jferg977 at aol.com 
writes:


> 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.
> 

In my limited experience, using a straight key will usually help you learn 
the code in a way that other keys won't. I recommend starting out with a 
straight key, then moving on to a bug or keyer once you have mastered the code at a 
reasonable level.

I wouldn't bother with the MFJ unit. There are freeware programs that do the 
same thing. Or you can simply tape-record yourself sending, put the tapes 
aside for a week or so, then play the tapes back and see if *you* can copy them. 

Another trick is to set up your code-generating software (such as the G4FON 
package) to send a known text, then try to send in step with it.

As for the CFO: All the items you buy at this stage are learning tools. You 
wouldn't send a child to school with only half the required supplies....

It's a good idea to listen to real live off-the-air code as well as the 
machine-generated stuff. Off-air code isn't always perfect - I've known more than a 
few new hams who could do good copy from computer-generated code but fell 
apart on the "real thing" until they had some exposure to it. 

Most of all, remember that what you're learning is a set of skills, not just 
one or two, and that it takes a variety of tools to do that job.

73 de Jim, N2EY