[Elecraft] Iambic Keying - Debunking the Myth

[Fred Jensen]

Dan KB6NU wrote:
> If you're not patient enough to learn iambic keying, or you are having 
> trouble learning it, sell your dual-lever paddle and go out and buy a 
> single-lever one.
>
No need to sell your dual-paddle thingy, single-lever action is a 
built-in *feature* of all dual-paddle keys.  Nothing to switch, no menu 
settings to change.  Simply use your thumb for whatever element you have 
on that side, and use whatever finger[s] you choose for the other 
element ... just don't use them at the same time. 

Fortunately, this is easy for many of us.  I built my first keyer in 
1957, about half way through my senior year in HS.  It had about 10 dual 
triodes, weighed about a brick, and I separated the left and right sides 
of my bug [a decidedly single-lever device] and tied down the armature 
to operate it .  Contrary to the mildly pejorative comment about vacuum 
tube keyers on the reflector recently,  my current K1EL keyer operates 
for me pretty much like my "brick" if you ignore the message memories 
... which I usually do.  Loading them is hard. 

Now, the K1EL weighs about a an orange or maybe a small peach, runs off 
a wall wart, doesn't get warm, and I suspect the electric meter spins 
slower.  Progress is progress.

73,

Fred K6DGW/7
Lincoln City OR