[Elecraft] Single versus Dual Lever Paddles

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Bill, W4ZV wrote:
I recently saw comments somewhere about
K7JA "slapping'" the dual lever paddle during the
Jay Leno show indicating he had learned on a
single lever.  This caused me to question whether
dual paddle (iambic) keys are used by the transmit
Champions of High Speed Telegrapy (HST) as
determined in the annual IARU HST Championships.
The simple answer is:  NO.

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Gee, I watched the clip closely and I didn't see any undue "slapping" or any
suggestion he was squeezing in Iambic mode either.

That's an interesting observation about the lack Iambic keys in HST work,
but not really surprising. 

I used a keyer for over 20 years, and always used dual paddles in Iambic
(squeeze) mode. I used it for the same reason I use a bug, and from what
I've read it's the same reason I read that the wire and radio services
switched to bugs. Not for speed, but for comfort that allows an operator to
send with less effort for hours on end. 

The speed ability is a nice side-effect of more efficient key operation for
those working circuits where high speeds were allowed, but it is certainly
not the major reason for choosing a bug or keyer for those who do a lot of
"pounding brass" (especially all day!). 

Ron AC7AC