[Elecraft] kxpd3 question

[Mark Petiford]

 Jerome,
I'm not sure why anyone would go through the process of learning to send CW and do it "single paddle".  Every radio in production supports one, or both, Iambic modes, and they are actually easier to LEARN than they are to UNDERSTAND!  Here is my 2-cents worth:

1.  The best method of sending will be the one you learn first.  This is true of MOST things we learn.  That doesn't mean you can't learn a second method later, but USUALLY the first method will come back to you the easiest.

2.  Reading about the differences in Iambic keying is far more complex than slowing the keyer down and listening to what happens.  Slow down to around 10wpm, hold one paddle down and tap the other to learn how dit or dah insertion works and sounds.  Hold both paddles down and listen to what happens when you release them.  Play with it, but do it at slow speed so you can hear it.  I am NOT talking about learning characters yet.  That should happen at much faster speeds, and after you know what the paddles do to make dots and dashes at the right times.  After playing with this for as long as you need, speed it up a bit and play some more.  Eventually you can work up to the speed CW Ops recommends for learning the characters.

3.  Stop trying to decide between Iambic A and B based on the analysis of what they do or how many paddle movements are required.  You can listen to the differences as I have outlined in 2 above, but simply PICK ONE.  I happen to like Iambic B because I learned on a homebrew AccuKeyer which died years ago.  I can switch to Iambic A with a few minutes of practice, but I prefer Iambic B simply because it doesn't seem to be as sensitive to paddle release after holding both paddles closed in the letter C.  Oops, there I go with too much analysis!

4.  Dual paddles can be used as a single paddle.  I suspect most of the single paddle operatiors were extensive bug users first (again, first learned is the easiest), but I couldn't afford a bug, so I learned Iambic B.  I find that transitioning from Iambic B to single paddle is easy.  I do that when necessary at events like Field Day.

5.  No more maintenance is required for dual paddle modes than for any other mode.  It all depends on what you learned first and what you use the most.  In aviation, a pilot's total flight time is important, but accident reports indicate that recent experience is also important.  Look at the aviation regulations for recent experience and you will see what I mean.  Same for CW.

Well, I went over 2 cents worth!

Mark
KE6BB


    On Thursday, November 9, 2017, 6:32:28 AM PST, JEROME SODUS <jsodus at comcast.net> wrote:  
 
 
Having researched the topic of 'paddles' and from that effort, I think that a single paddle might work best for me.

Here are the negative items which helped form that opinion:

1. a comment that regular practice is needed to maintain competence with a dual-paddle,

2. iambic-a or iambic-b just seem physically complicated.