[Elecraft] Re: Hexkey

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Darrell wrote:

With a bug, I can see where one would need to use the force that the thumb 
can more easily deliver to get that pendulum swinging, but that kind of 
force is not needed for keyer paddles. I suspect that is why the dits where 
on the thumb side of the bug for right hand users.

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Quite possibly Darrell, and not just for right handed bug operators. Lefties
normally used left-handed bugs that had the mechanism reversed so the dits
continued to be made with the thumb. As a nominally left-handed person I had
that choice to make when I got my first bug. I chose to learn to send
right-handed on the bug although I had learned to send on a straight key
with my left hand. Left-handed bugs were expensive.

It's had the bonus of allowing me to make notes with my left hand while I'm
sending with my right. 

As you say, it's unlikely that you'll ever be inconvenienced by learning to
send "backwards" now that electronic keyers are the norm. 

Ron AC7AC