[Elecraft] Getting Started With CW

[Matt VK2RQ]

I'm one of those left-handlers who learned to send on the paddle either right hand -- that way, no need to put down the pen :-)  When I learned the straight key though, in order to get my ham ticket, I learned left-handed, and still can't use a straight key with my right :-(

73,
Matt VK2RQ

> On 2 Dec 2014, at 7:31 am, Fred Jensen <k6dgw at foothill.net> wrote:
> 
> This is more common than one might think, but only for left-handers it seems.  I'm left-handed and my Elmer, W6RMK, was too.  He taught me to send with my right hand so I could write legibly in my log.  In those days, you logged every transmission, whether or not it resulted in a QSO.
> 
> A number of years ago, we had a little survey on this list.  A total of 137 responded, about 22% south paws.  A little more than 50% of those learned to send/paddle right.  0% of the north paws sent/paddled left. From this and answers to some of the other questions in the survey, it appears that most right-handers are *really* right-handed [some even said so].  Left-handers seem to be somewhat more flexible, maybe because we live in a right-handed world.
> 
> I currently have a second paddle set up left on the WinKey-USB to the left of the laptop which I've started using left-handed in casual QSO's since it's more natural for me and I no longer have to write in my logbook.  I still contest with the paddle on the right since I can type faster with my left hand.
> 
> I'm not hearing all the poor CW others are talking about.  In CQ WW CW, I made a note of two: one had the weight set very high and his dots resembled his dashes.  Theotheroneforgottherearespacesbetweenwords. Quite a few of the Summits On The Air crowd are learning CW and, while they may make a few more mistakes, there is nothing wrong with their sending.  The majority of those ops are using embedded keyers in their rigs.
> 
> In the end, do what works best for you.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Fred K6DGW
> - Northern California Contest Club
> - CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015
> - www.cqp.org
> 
> 
> 
>> On 12/1/2014 11:14 AM, Bob wrote:
>> 
>> At 13 in 1956 I signed up for a Novice class at the local radio club,
>> Nutley Amateur Radio Society (Nutley, NJ).  When it came time to learn
>> the basics of sending the instructor, W2TJD (SK) made us try to send
>> with the "wrong" hand since we were learning anyway. I'm a lefty so
>> tried right handed.
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