[Elecraft] Getting Started With CW

Tue Dec 2 11:17:36 EST 2014

Ken, great. When you are copying, are you using the K3 decoder or 
copying in your  head at 30 wpm.

Uncle Phil, W0xi...

> Ken <mailto:wa8jxm at gmail.com>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 6:37 PM
> Yes, I’ve looked up and understand the theory of Iambic keying but 1) 
> it’s been weird to try and 2) I haven’t noticed any advantage for me. 
> Now maybe there is an advantage at higher speeds? But when I’ve run 
> above 30 wpm, I use a keyboard ;-)
>
> 73,
> Ken WA8JXM
>
>
>
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> Ken <mailto:wa8jxm at gmail.com>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 3:00 PM
>
>
> Am I missing something? Have I been doing it wrong for years? Yes I 
> have an Iambic paddle and of course the K3 offers Iambic choice BUT I 
> NEVER USE IT. I don’t touch both paddles at the same time, my wrist 
> rocks back and forth and I never squeeze the paddle.
>
> Seriously I am asking if I’m doing something wrong.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken WA8JXM
>
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> Joe Subich, W4TV <mailto:lists at subich.com>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 8:06 AM
>
>
> *IF* one must start out with paddles/keyer, learn on Iambic A.  Iambic
> B was a logic error in the AccuKeyer and simply covers up sloppy (slow)
> paddle operation.
>
> There are really three Iambic modes - based on where the trailing
> element decision is made:
>
> Iambic A which makes the decision at the end of the current element.
> If the other paddle is closed at the end of a dit, the keyer adds a
> dah.  If the other paddle is closed at the end of a dah, the keyer
> adds a dit.
>
> Iambic B makes the decision at the *beginning* of the current element.
> If both paddles are closed at the beginning of a dit, the keyer sends
> dit-dah.  If both paddles are closed at the beginning of a dah, the
> keyer sends dah-dit.
>
> CMOS Super Keyer (Logikeyer) makes the decision *one dit time into*
> the current character.  If the current element is a dit and both
> paddles are closed at the end of the dit, the keyer adds a dah.  If
> the current element is a dah and both paddles are closed 1/3 of the
> way through the dah, the keyer adds a dit.
>
> 73,
>
>    ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
>
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> Don Wilhelm <mailto:w3fpr at embarqmail.com>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 7:46 AM
> There are alternatives to Iambic keying.
> One way is to use a single lever paddle which makes it impossible to 
> send those alternating dit/dah sequences that I cannot work with 
> correctly due to some 'finger habits' that I learned when using a bug.
>
> Another way is to get a K1EL keyer (or Winkeyer) and try out the 
> various modes he has built in.
> They do have a bug mode, but I have trouble with that one because 
> there is no control between the string of dits and the timing of the 
> manual dashes, when used with dual lever paddles.  It would probably 
> be OK with a single lever paddle, but I have not tried it that way.
>
> With dual lever paddles, I prefer Ultimatic mode.  That mode sends a 
> string of the last paddle closed, which means you can use dit or dah 
> insertion as well.
>
> If you are just starting out, you may want to learn to send with dual 
> lever paddles in Iambic (A or B your choice) and learn the squeeze 
> sequences as well.  That should help you when you get up to speeds 
> above 30 wpm.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>
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> Edward R Cole <mailto:kl7uw at acsalaska.net>
> Monday, December 01, 2014 2:17 AM
> I still have my original straight key that I bought in 1958 when I was 
> practising for my Novice.  I didn't have the luxury of a code machine 
> to send my practise sessions (cassettes had not been invented) so 
> either I listened on my little 3-tube receiver or I spent hours 
> sending to myself.  I think that resulted in a pretty good "fist".  In 
> the day I could send 18-20wpm easily with the straight key.  I guess I 
> favor learning with a straight key.  Learning what proper sounding CW 
> sounds like one should use tapes or practise programs.  Do an hour a 
> day for a month and you will absorb it.
>
> Many years later I bought a Bencher-2 but never got very good results 
> as the K3 keyer only does Iambic.  I guess I am too set in my ways 
> wanting to control the dots and dashes to get hang of Iambic.  I 
> should say I was off CW for decades so having to get back into it.  My 
> straight keying is a little rusty and not as smooth as I used to do, 
> but In time it'll come back.  I wonder if there are any keyers that 
> just work like a bug but using a paddle?
>
> I tried CW skimmer and the K3 CW text decoder but I'm not too 
> impressed as it takes strong, very clean signal to work well.  Brain 
> works better.
>
> For CW-eme I set up some message scripts where I fill in the other 
> stations call sign and let the computer send.  Eme keeps one quite 
> busy keeping the antenna pointed, tuning Doppler shift, and listening 
> to extremely weak signals.  Having the transmitting time to fulfill 
> these other tasks without being tied to the key helps a lot.
>
> Of course I may still need to send a non-standard reply so the old 
> straight key is right handy.  Setting the spring tension and gap for 
> fast CW is required using a straight key-most beginners have too wide 
> a gap setting.  Motion of the hand is in the wrist moving up/down with 
> fingers lightly touching the key.  Beginners usually try taping the 
> key.  I can see repetitive motion stress being a problem especially 
> for us older hams.  Why I like computer keying for repetitive calling.
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
> http://www.kl7uw.com
>     "Kits made by KL7UW"
> Dubus Mag business:
>     dubususa at gmail.com
>
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