[Elecraft] paddle key training

[Jack West]

Hi there,

I can send using paddles right or left handed. I use the thumb for dits no matter
which hand I am using. This requires reversing the paddles for left handed 
keying. I came up with a simple solution. I use a bencher with the MFJ 422B
box mounted on it. 

For left hand operation I simply turn the bencher upside down. I installed four
Rad-Shack rubber feet on top of the 422 b box. This is a very simple solution
for swapping the paddles.  

Our club had a social CW net which met two nights a week. One mondays I
checked using right handed keying. On Fridays I checked in left handed. 
Our NCS coined two new Q-Codes for this operation. QRH = right handed
keying and QLH = left handed keying. He would always ask which I was 
using.

I have a demo that uses two seperate paddles monted on a common board
mounted 90 deg from each other. These paddles hook in parallel to the 
electronic circuit.  One set of paddles is labled right hand and the other is
labled left hand. I am able to QSO CW by alternating letters back and forth
using both hands.  Occassionally I may send two or three letters from the 
same paddle but not often.  I dont have tothink about it...it comes naturally.
I call my Demo "TWO FISTED CW"

73 de
Jack / W7LD / "Lucky Dog"

 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <ron at cobi.biz>
To: "'John Cooper'" <wt5y at gt.rr.com>; "'elecraft'" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2011 4:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] paddle key training


> Push paddle right for dits and left for dahs - based on decades of using a
> conventional right-handed semi-automatic key (bug). 
> 
> I was a bit surprised when, a few years ago, I started hearing about people
> using the reverse but it makes sense - anything so easily changed will be
> changed by someone. The old rationale that there was less fatigue launching
> the mechanism to make dots when it was done by the thumb doesn't apply to
> paddles. (Actually there are bugs for left-handed people that are reversed
> too).
> 
> I'm sure there are more "techniques" with paddles since they can be made to
> respond to a whisper touch so the old "roll the wrist" action that was
> common on bugs to avoid fatigue no longer applies, but I've never pursued
> them. Indeed, I seldom use the paddles - I prefer the bug :-) 
> 
> Have fun John!
> 
> Ron AC7AC
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> 
> Anyone know of any google or youtube videos or a website that shows how to
> use a key like the bencher by-1 or 2.  Also I would like to poll those that
> use paddles do you have dits on the left or right paddle?  Curious as to
> what the majority uses.
> 
> WT5Y
> 
> My K2 is up and running from getting it yesterday.  At least to where you
> check out the basic functions.  Starting Reciever and PLL Synthesizer
> tonight. 
> 
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