[Elecraft] Single Lever Paddle/Key(?)

[Don Wilhelm]

Jack,

Congratulations on your proficiency accomplishments, keep up the good work.

With a single lever paddle, you will not notice any difference between 
mode A and mode B. 

If you use a dual paddle and squeeze both levers then release them both 
at the same time - mode A will complete the current element, but mode B 
will complete the current element and then send an opposite element.

You do not loose the completion characteristics for either mode with a 
single lever paddle.

73,
Don W3FPR

Jack Regan wrote:
> To all the cw buffs,
>
> I'm a little confused.
>
> As far as I can tell, a single lever paddle, when connected to a keyer, sends dots when pushed in on one direction and dashes when pushed in the opposite direction.   Presumably this prevents the possibility of a keyer sensing both contacts closed at the same time.
>
> Thus, it occurs to me that if the keyer in my KX1 is set for Iambic A, Then I will get continuous, properly spaced dots or dashes when I close the appropriate contact but will lose the "benefits" of squeezed" characters!
>
> Is this correct?
>
> Similarly, if my keyer is set for mode B, I would still get the dots and dashes but lose the auto completion function as well as the squeese function.
>
> Have I got it right?
>
> BTW, I am using Iambic A right now, and always have.  It works fine but I sometimes find myself naturally just sending certain squeese character in a "single paddle manner."  Given the fact that many top ops seem to like and use single lever paddles, I thought I would give it a try!  
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jack, AE6GC
>
> PS.  I just got my 10 wpm Certificate of Code Proficiency from ARRL.  I am more proud of that than passing the Extra exam and WAS!!!  I am going for 15 wpm tonight during the West Coast Qualifying Run.  Wish me luck!
>
> J
>
>