[Elecraft] kxpd3 question

[Jim Brown]

On 11/9/2017 6:14 AM, JEROME SODUS wrote:
> 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.

I started out around 1956 with a bug given to me by a cousin who had 
been in the Navy. Sometime in the mid-60s, I switched cold turkey to a 
keyer. Don't remember what I used for a paddle, but if it wasn't a 
Bencher BY-1, I soon gravitated to one. I now own 3-4 of them, all 
bought used from the great auction site. My fingers/brain learned to use 
a paddle before Iambic keyers had been invented, and I've never tried to 
change that.

Several years ago, I bought a used Begali gold paddle, don't know the 
model number. It cost as much as I paid for three of the used Benchers, 
and I find that my fingers/brain send better CW with the Benchers. All 
are dual-lever paddles.

BTW -- the cheapest way to buy a BY-1 is to buy a used MFJ keyer that 
has a BY-1 mechanically integrated with the keyer's electronics, remove 
the electronics and throw it away. :) One of my Benchers came that way.

One of my contesting buddies brings his N3ZN paddle to our contesting 
setups. It's a very nice paddle.

Why do I own so many paddles? In the shack, one is connected to a 
WinKey, which my logging software toggles between two radios. Each K3 
has a paddle attached so that I can program the memories. In our 
multi-station contesting trailer, the computer sends the programmed 
messages and the paddle sends fills.

73, Jim K9YC