[Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?

[EricJ]

16 wpm or greater. It wasn't necessary to send at that precise speed. They
just cut some slack with code groups by reducing the requirement from 20
wpm. I never had an FCC examiner actually listen for the whole time. They
would stick one earphone up to their ear, listen for 15 or 20 seconds and
set the earphone back down. Always scared hell out of me. I thought they
just gave up because I was so bad.

Also, the FCC always allowed you to take in your own key. It wasn't
necessary to use their aptly described "ratty old FCC office straight key." 

Eric
KE6US

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jeff Rosenberger
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 8:23 AM
To: Mike Morrow
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?

Mike wrote:
> When I took my Extra exam 25 years ago, they had already eliminated 
> the Morse sending test.  Too bad, I thought.  When I took my 
> commercial telegraph exam the same year, Morse sending tests were 
> still required (one minute without error at 20 wpm plain language, 
> and16 wpm code groups).  I still remember having qualms about using a 
> ratty old FCC office straight key for the 20 wpm test.  That's always 
> been about my limit for straight key operation.

How was the speed determined for a sending test?  I know I couldn't sit down
at a straight key and send at a specific numeric speed.  I can send at a
comfortable speed for me to receive, or roughly match speeds with the other
operator, but send at exactly 16wpm, no way.
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