[Elecraft] Straight key first?

[Kevin Rock]

I once had an op check into ECN who I knew but his fist sounded rather  
odd.  Spacing was good but the keying sounded flaky.  He was also slower  
than his normal speed.  After the nets he emailed me and told me his  
story.  He had been using two pieces of stranded wire to send code.  I  
think solid wire works much better ;)  Once you know code you can use any  
manner of instrument to send it.
    73,
       Kevin.  KD5ONS


On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 05:54:28 -0700, PTA_ABD <wb2abd at roadrunner.com> wrote:

> There is a certain value in learning to use a straight key. Requires no  
> power or batteries, is immune to RF,  and passable CW can be generated  
> with just about any type of contacts. I recall using gum wrappers taped  
> to my fingers when I was a kid ( just fer fun).
>
> I still have one hooked up. I don't use it often, but I find difficulty  
> using paddles under QRS conditions. Sadly, so many years of using  
> paddles makes tickling a bug impossible anymore... yuck!
>
> Paul WB2ABD
> K3 #129