[Elecraft] [OT] Iambic Keying - Debunking the Myth

[Ken N9VV]

Thank you Bill and David for your excellent comments. This makes great 
reading. I broke my wrist falling off a ladder in 2005. Ever since the 
accident I have had debilitating timing problems with my paddles. I 
switched to a single lever (custom built by Joe K8LKC) and my speed 
immediately picked up 10wpm (20 --> 30). This also applies to anyone 
with carpal tunnel issues.  I agree, as age and timing dominate, a 
single lever paddle is a joy to use.
de ken n9vv

Bill Tippett wrote:
> N1AS:
> 
>  >2.  Timing - The timing needed to insert elements can be very tight.
> This is only an issue at high speed though.  At normal speeds, the
> timing is very workable and the user can benefit from the greater
> efficiency.
> 
>         Which is why QRQ (60+ WPM) folks who win HST Championships
> don't use it.  It is also why anyone with less than perfect
> hand coordination, due to age, palsy or whatever will have
> difficulty using it.  My good friend N4SU had to give up hamming
> when he developed palsy and could no longer send iambic CW.  If
> I had realized this problem before he passed away, I would have
> suggested he switch back to a single paddle, which is much more
> forgiving of timing errors...a bug being an extreme example.
> 
>  >The efficiency of the iambic method is no myth.  Whether it is worth
> learning depends entirely on how able or motivated you are to learn
> something new.
> 
>         Theoretically you are correct, but practically you
> are wrong.  I assure you that true competitors in any endeavor
> would die for a 5% advantage, and yet HST winners don't use iambic.
> Any theoretical advantage of iambic is lost when your hand cannot
> meet its exact timing requirements.
> 
>         If we based our conclusions purely on one theoretical
> parameter, there would be no reason to have competitions.  The
> highest powered car would simply be declared the winner.  In the
> real world, results are a combination of many factors...which is
> why we still have competitions.
> 
>                                 73,  Bill  W4ZV
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
> 
> 

-- 
What a fantastic time to be in Ham Radio!