[Elecraft] Straight key first?

[Bill W4ZV]

Edward R. Cole wrote:
> 
> I didn't get a paddle until a couple years ago, even though my radios 
> had internal keyers.  I am finding it hard to use the paddle.  I 
> guess too many years with a straight key where your hand makes each 
> character.  I guess in time I will get the reflexes to use an iambic 
> key.  BTW I still have my Novice straight key and send 20wpm pretty 
> easy; much better than my paddle sending.
> 

Don't waste your time with iambic and get a really good single-lever paddle
like N3ZN's ZN-SL series.  The supposed efficiency advantage of iambic is
mostly a myth (see below) and the downside is you must have much more
accurate finger coordination (which becomes a problem as you age).  BTW most
competitors at the High Speed Telegraphy (HST) World Championships use
homebrew single-lever paddles to send extremely high speeds.  

73,  Bill

Iambic Keying - Debunking the Myth
http://www.morsex.com/pubs/iambicmyth.pdf

High Speed Morse Code- WØAAA (using ZN-SLB)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_icJLmsFNU

Practicing for the HST Championships
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpKv1sd69Vs&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUBGrO9Vs1k&NR=1


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