[Elecraft] CW Key suggestions ?

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron,

Instead of "making your own dashes", for which the timing can become 
critical, I would suggest you help lobby Wayne to include Ultimatic mode 
into the Elecraft keyers.  It is the only way I can use dual lever 
paddles - the last paddle closed gets priority - for instance to send a 
"P", first close the dot paddle, then (keeping the dot paddle closed) 
close the dash paddle long enough to begin the second dash, then release 
the dash - the still held closed dot paddle will send the final dot.  
Much more sensible to me than the alternating dots and dashes of the 
Iambic modes.  Ultimatic mode *can* be used like bug mode if a single 
lever paddle is used (bugs were/are single lever machines).

As I recall, this was the mode used by the original W9TO keyers, and 
prevailed until the Curtis chips became available.

Frankly, I cannot get used to the "finger keying" required by Iambic 
modes.  I learned on a bug and insist on paddles that have the 
fingergrips high enough that I can "roll the wrist" -- it is the only 
way I am comfortable.  If I must use Iambic keying, I have to use a 
single lever paddle which nullifies the Iambic part, and I can once 
again send CW.

A note for the KX1 paddle - I found that was one dual lever paddle that 
I could use (for some unknown reason), but the KX3 paddle (which is a 
superb piece of engineering) requires that the user do "finger keying", 
so it is not of much use to me.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/25/2012 4:59 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> I find the KX1 paddle nice to use, but as I said I am *not* picky about the
> sort of key I use.
>
> That said, the "feel" of any paddles I use is actually more important than
> the feel of a mechanical key, probably because paddles are operated with the
> fingers (instead or rolling one's whole hand on a bug or rocking ones entire
> forearm with a straight key).
>
> My *only* complaint about the KX1 paddles is the same complaint I have about
> every Elecraft rig - there's no keyer mode that lets me make my own dashes.
>