[Elecraft] paddle key training

[Fred Jensen]

RE Learning new ways to send:  The primary problem with sending perfect 
or near-perfect Morse with either hand and/or paddle configuration, even 
with the latest keyers, is the fact that we all send the dits and dahs, 
and we always have, when, strangely, they don't really matter.  It's the 
spaces that matter.  Get them perfect and the dots and dashes will 
automatically take care of themselves.

As far back as 1949, A. F. Scotten, W6ZMZ, pointed this out in the 
October issue of QST.  The time quantum in Morse is the dot time [Morse 
Dot Time or Mdt] and is inversely proportional [in seconds] to the 
sending speed [WPM].  On the surface there appear to be 3 spaces in 
Morse: 1 Mdt between code elements, 3 Mdt between letters, and 7 Mdt 
between words.  A little scrutiny reveals that the first one is really 
two: 1 Mdt key-up followed by 1 Mdt key-down [dits], and 1 Mdt key-up 
followed by 3 Mdt key-down [dahs].

Old AF even offered a test sentence which he says will demonstrate the 
problem and solution.  “Then after Richard had arrived he and Clarence 
each kissed beautiful Annabelle and she ceased all resistance because in 
actual fact she liked it better than ever"  Ignoring the fact that this 
sentence was fairly racy for QST in 1949, the primary feature of it is 
that, when sent in International Morse, it has no letters with repeating 
dashes.  Why this is important he leaves as an exercise for the student.

"Wishes" abound on this list, here's one that should be a snap for the 
Elecraft Gurus:  Create and market an Elecraft Mini-module that has four 
paddles mounted such that the four fingers of either hand can rest over 
them, sort of like piano keys.  Pressing each paddle down creates one of 
the four keying sequences above, effectively "sending" the spaces rather 
than the dots and dashes.  Of course you would need a footswitch or 
something similar to turn the TX on.  You then send the space 
combinations sequentially, and release the footswitch at the end.  It 
should also be trivial to have only 3 paddles and operate them 
chordally, like the court reporters do on those stenographs.  In fact, 
it would be feasible to do it with just two paddles however one of the 
combinations would then be "no paddles depressed" which might be a 
little awkward.

I'll gladly assign all patent rights to the ACRMSA [Ambidextrous Chordal 
Removable Morse Sending Apparatus] to Wayne and Eric if they'll take 
over production and marketing and make the K3 firmware changes.  I 
suggest three models:  "The Prolitarian" [steel black crackle base with 
plastic paddles]; "The Yuppie" [polished brass base with chrome 
paddles]; and "The Daddy Warbucks" [gold plated base with natural ivory 
paddles and a Certificate of Authenticity].

That the key [no pun intended ... OK, maybe] to perfect Morse has been 
at hand for almost as long as I've been alive and has never overtaken 
the inferior technique we continue to use is a mystery.  A deeper 
mystery is why AF's brilliant and novel discovery appeared in the Oct 
and not the Apr 1949 QST.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011
- www.cqp.org

On 3/27/2011 4:08 AM, Paul Huff wrote:

> People
> tell me that the bug is "good copy" but they are being generous and I
> still have a ways to go with that.  Straight key work is still on my
> right

> An old dog learning new tricks can be a fun challenge!