[Elecraft] Iambic Keying - Debunking the Myth

[Bob Nielsen]

Brett,

A typical semiautomatic bug uses the spring and weights to output a  
series of dots.  Dashes are created by repeatedly pressing the paddle  
to the left (there are models which are fully automatic, using  
separate pendulums for dots and dashes).

Iambic or squeeze mode in a keyer will output alternating dots and  
dashes when both paddles are closed.

I used a bug for many years before trying an electronic keyer.  I  
never have tried to master iambic but typically use the paddles  
sequentially, which I am sure limits my speed, but 30-35 wpm is fast  
enough for me in any case.  I suppose a single-lever paddle would be  
better for this, but I haven't yet discovered one I really like (my  
favorite paddle is a Begali Simplex, with an old Brown Brothers as a  
close second).

Bob, N7XY

On Sep 10, 2007, at 7:33 AM, Brett gazdzinski wrote:

> Never having a bug, or a paddle, or any sort of keyer,
> only a straight key (about 500 contacts with it), can
> someone explain what does what?
>
> I thought a bug did dits one way and dahs the other, and
> would do so as long as it was held, using a bouncing weight
> against a spring.
>
> I thought an electronic keyer was the same, without the weights.
>
> I cant guess what you would 'squeeze', or what iambic is, or
> what a and b are.....
>
> Maybe someday I will try these new gizmo's.
>
> Brett
>