[Elecraft] Keyer weighting (was 'Elecraft keyer chip replacement')

[Tommy]

Certainly not picking on Ralph's comments, but I have a question. As a CW
operator for some 61 years, I have always wondered why a lot of CW operators
adjust their sending weight to suit their own ears (taste)? Do they then sit
back and send to themselves because their weight adjustment sounds good to
them? For instance, what if Ralph calls CQ with his weight "on the 'heavy'
side (52%....)" and since I prefer a normal 3 to 1 ratio, I probably will
not call him because to me his CW sounds pretty bad. If we could back up a
step and all CW operators set their weight to the 'normal'  three to one
weight, wouldn't that be more ideal? Then if someone ask you to change your
weight to the 'heavy side', you could then comply with that persons wishes? 

I used to run QRQ and if your weight was set to anything other than the
standard 3/1 and you were sending at over 50 wpm, not too many folks could
copy you. If you operate in very many contest, your CW is going to stick out
like a sore thumb if your weight is anything other than the standard.

So why not stick what has been the standard for a very many years?

Again, I am not knocking how Ralph likes to make his outgoing CW sound.

73,
Tom - W4BQF




-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ralph Parker
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 1:48 PM
To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Keyer weighting (was 'Elecraft keyer chip replacement')

Many people confuse "ratio" with "weight". 'Weight' makes both the dots and
dashes longer (or shorter), but preserves the 3:1 ratio between the two.
I've used some radios with internal keyers that have adjustable "weight"
(wrongly named) that only makes the dots longer. Sounds terrible, IMHO.

I prefer my weight slightly on the 'heavy' side (52% on my Super CMOS III).
'Choppy' sounding CW usually means that the weighting is too light.

I always use an external keyer that does exactly what I want, except in a
contest, where my microHam keyer (via N1MM) has provisions for correctly
changing weight. Sounds good either way.

My internal keyers are for emergency use only.

Ralph, VE7XF

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