[Elecraft] QLF (was Re: CW Key Recommendation)
Jessie Oberreuter
joberreu-elecraft at moselle.com
Mon Jun 27 20:01:35 EDT 2016
I've been sending right handed for decades, but the older I get, the
more left-handed I seem to become, and I carry a lot less tension when I'm
being a lefty, so a few weeks ago, I gave left handed paddle keying a try.
At first, it was very strange. The keying was fine, but I could
practically feel my brain moving the internal furniture about as it worked
out the routing. At field day this year, I ended up with the KX3 on the
left, and the laptop on the right. I'd hoped to be computer keying this
year, but I wasn't that organized, so I used the KX3 Palm micro-paddles
left handed :).
It was all working great! I'd drop a dit now and again, but all was
well until, at some point Saturday evening, I started getting fuzzy, and
right in the middle of a QSO, wait, uh, what? I can't seem to send
anymore! Yikes! Fortunately, the op on the other end waited until I'd
cranked the keyer speed down a bit and finally sent our club call and
exchange correctly. Thank you, who every you were! I got up, took a
walk, had a cuppa, and went back to work without a glitch.
On Mon, 27 Jun 2016, Barry LaZar wrote:
> I spent a lot of time this weekend copying CW operators who were superb and a
> lot who barely know how to send. I was in the latter category and quite
> oftenand I would receive a QLF??. I built an accukeyer featured in QST a lot
> of years ago and in a number of the ARRL Handbooks.
>
> I bought a FYO paddle set which is what the Bencher looks like. I never did
> use iambic sending, nor do I today. However, the result was no more QLF?, and
> my fatigue level is much lower after a long weekend.
>
> My point is you need to really practice to get good with a key so you can be
> read. An electronic keyer, like in the Elecraft radios or a Winkeyer used
> with a dual or single paddle set will really clean up your sending and lessen
> your fatigue, even if you never use the iambic features available.
>
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
>
> ------ Original Message ------
> From: "Dave Fugleberg" <dave.w0zf at gmail.com>
> To: "Dale Putnam" <daleputnam at hotmail.com>; "Bill" <w2blc at nycap.rr.com>;
> "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: 6/27/2016 2:00:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Key Recommendation
>
>> One other thing to add for the original poster...
>> Something that's really helped me is to use a program called Iambic Master
>> to help me learn how to send well with paddles. It requires you to have a
>> winkey-compatible keyer connected to a PC (I use a Microham unit).
>> You plug your paddles into the keyer, and the program shows you an
>> exchange, which you must 'send' properly before moving on. This showed me
>> how truly awful my timing between words and letters was.
>> On Fri, Jun 24, 2016 at 6:36 PM Dale Putnam <daleputnam at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I have a J-38 from WWII.. original base, and very nice, with the fabric
>>> covered cable, FS.
>>>
>>> photos available too.
>>>
>>> And I recommend it... SKCC #87 loves it.
>>>
>>>
>>> Have a great day,
>>> --... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: Elecraft <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Bill <
>>> w2blc at nycap.rr.com>
>>> Sent: Friday, June 24, 2016 12:34 PM
>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Key Recommendation
>>>
>>> Long arm keys, typically those found in maritime service, are the most
>>> pleasant of the straight keys to use. They are expensive.
>>>
>>> An inexpensive alternative is the Czech key seen at:
>>> http://www.uv3r.com/CzechMorseKeys/ has a nice feel also. They can be
>>> [http://www.uv3r.com/CzechMorseKeys/images/P1000781b_opt.jpg]<
>>> http://www.uv3r.com/CzechMorseKeys/>
>>>
>>> Czech Morse Keys - UV-3R<http://www.uv3r.com/CzechMorseKeys/>
>>> www.uv3r.com
>>> Czech army, military morse code key importers and Baofeng UV-3R suppliers
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> found from $25 to $60 on the Internet. Their good action is due to their
>>> folded long-arm design. I have one and it is my straight key of
>>> preference.
>>>
>>> If you go for a bug, nothing beats the VizBug at:
>>> http://vizkey.com/order.html#90degreevizbug It is a small and very
>>> quiet bug (no thrashing machine noises).
>>>
>>> I have a Vibroplex single lever paddle that I have been using since the
>>> early 60s. Perfect for a normal keyer (don't care much for the one in
>>> the K3).
>>>
>>> I have never used a two paddle anything - so no comments about them.
>>>
>>> Want to learn more about keys and CW operation in general? Take a look
>>> at: http://radiotelegraphy.net/
>>>
>>> I have no business interests in any of the above and really don't care
>>> if you choose an Amplidan or just tap two bare wires together - both of
>>> which will get the same job done.
>>>
>>> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>>>
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>
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