[Elecraft] K3 in the Media

[Al Gulseth]

Al,

The issue isn't "nostalgia" - it's technique and timing. Paddles cover a 
multitude of sins: as long as you're hitting the paddles somewere close to 
the right point you'll get nice even CW. With a straight key any technique or 
timing issues are immediately obvious.

The "old timer" WWII radio ops that I've known (in particular my dad) always 
stressed mastering the straight key before ever trying to use paddles. And if 
you've heard those OTs on the air, a large percentage of them illustrate the 
wisdom of learning (and mastering) the straight key first.

73, Al

On Tue June 28 2011 5:31:10 pm VE3GAM Allen McRorie wrote:
> after having operated both a straight key and a paddle,
> I'm not really sure that the two are comparable
>
> I don't think being able to send using a straight key does
> anything to help you send better than using a paddle, but
> using a paddle is much easier to me than using a straight key and
> if you take nostalgia out of it, I would think starting with
> a paddle is what I would recommend to anyone just
> starting out. I just don't understand the fascination with
> straight keys, they are hard to use and tiring if you don't
> use them correctly
>
> anyway my .02 cents worth
>
> al ve3gam
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <n5ge at n5ge.com>
> To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 2:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 in the Media
>
> > Hooray for the Elmer! ;o)
> >
> > 73,
> > Tom
> > Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
> > ARRL Lifetime Member
> > QCWA Lifetime Member
> >
> > On Tue, 28 Jun 2011 08:16:12 -0700 (PDT), KF4VTT <kf4vtt at mebtel.net> 
wrote:
> >>I'm not sure if the actual video shot was of Christopher in action on
> >> they key or staged, but he prefers the straight key and *can use one*. 
> >> His elmer will not let him move to a paddle yet. :-)
> >>
> >>73,
> >>Doug
> >>KF4VTT
>
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