[Elecraft] Iambic Myth

[Darwin, Keith]

I've done a couple of read's through that article.  While it has many
good points, it also has some glaring errors which make it somewhat
uncredible to me.

E.g. when listing the letters that benefit from squeeze technique, the
list is limited to C, F, K, L, Y, Q and R.  When listing the letters
that are most commonly used and then identifying those that are
squeezable, R is left off the list.  So instead of 1 in 12 being
squeezable, the right number is 2 in 12, thus doubling the "efficiency".
If we're willing to accept the idea that squeezing with thumb and index
finger is more efficient than rocking the hand back & forth, then we can
add A and N to the list as they can be sent with one squeeze motion.
Now the list of squeezable chars climbs to 4 in 12.

Other thoughts like "If you force yourself to squeeze every possible
character, you will expend more time and effort in learning to do that,
than any possible efficiency savings" are not universally true.  I
suppose if I were an experienced bug user trying to learn Iambic it may
have some validity but in my case I went to Iambic from a straight key
and had no built-in bias against Iambic.  I don't have to "force" myself
to do anything with the keyer.  Squeeze keying comes naturally as it is
all I've ever known.  Sending with a Cootie key - now that is something
I have to think about!

The other mentioned disadvantage of Iambic is that it has a speed
ceiling where sending faster than 40 wpm or so is too difficult.  I have
a ceiling on receiving that kicks in long before 40 wpm so that is
absolutely not an issue.  Just because the speed champs use non-iambic
does not make that method "better" any more than a race car is "better"
than a mini-van.

The article is very interesting and a good read, much like a 20/20
report.

Bottom line?  Don't let the attempt to bust a myth steal your fun.  If
you like Iambic, go for it (A or B - your choice).  If you think it's
stupid, fine, use a single paddle key, bug, cootie or join me and use a
straight key!

It's not so much how you send, but THAT you send, Yes?

73!

- Keith KD1E -
- K2 5411 -


-----Original Message-----

http://www.morsex.com/pubs/iambicmyth.pdf