[Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?

[Bill Coleman]

On May 10, 2005, at 10:41 AM, Mike Morrow wrote:

> Thank goodness for iambic mode A.  I never understood how mode B,  
> the result
> of a logic design error in an early (1960s) electronic keyer  
> design, caught
> on.

It's not an error, it is there on purpose!

I built a Mini-MOS key (from a 73 magazine article) back in 1979. It  
has dot and dash memories -- the quality that gives it Mode B. It  
takes extra circuitry to do this -- it's not just a "logic design  
error".

> Its timing is trickier than mode A, but it still requires exactly the
> same number of hand motions to send a particular character.

I don't find Mode B timing impossible - in fact, it is more relaxed  
than mode A -- you let go of the paddles a lot sooner.

I think the bottom line is that you prefer whatever technique you've  
trained on.

I have trouble with Bencher paddles. I usually knock my ancient  
paddles so hard the base moves slightly. First time I ever tried to  
use a Bencher, the paddles came off and the spring went flying across  
the room!


Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901