[Elecraft] "Standard" paddle settings

[David Y.]

David and All,

I'm not convinced there is a "right" way to do it.  Somehow, the ergonomics 
may be better using the "standard" approach, but I'm not sure I can really 
detect any benefit either way.  I'm a leftie, but I've always just accepted 
the right hand version of bugs and keyer paddles.  I suppose if I hadn't 
used a bug before using a paddle, I might have tried it the other way.  My 
old bug was a right handed version, so when I moved to keyers, I just kept 
the same convention.  If there is an advantage one way vs. another (maybe 
the thumb doesn't have quite the same degree of dexterity as the first 
finger), I would think it would be more important with a bug than with a 
paddle.

I've spent my whole life making concessions to right handed stuff--I even 
play golf right handed.  Any inclination I might have had to shoot a rifle 
left handed was immediately squashed in the army.  You don't want to fire an 
M-1 left handed, unless you like having hot shell casings eject right into 
your face!  Making that concessions with bugs and paddles, however, was no 
big deal in my view.

Unless you want to carry your own paddle around all the time, I would 
suggest learning the "conventional" way.  Not all of your friends' rigs will 
necessarily have a menu feature allowing you to switch the paddle.

Dave W7AQK


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Ferrington, M0XDF" <M0XDF at Alphadene.co.uk>
To: <Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] "Standard" paddle settings


> Why is that the 'only' correct way?
> I would have thought the correct way, if not using a bug, is what
> feels most natural to the user?
> Is there something about using a thumb for dots that makes it feel
> more comfortable?
> 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
> -- 
> In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice,
> but in practice there is.
>
> On 20 Aug 2009, at 05:58, Ralph Parker wrote:
>
>> Indeed, there is only one correct way - the dots are always on the
>> thumb,
>> regardless of which hand is used
>
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