[Elecraft] Not moving your wrist sending CW ?

[Fred Jensen]

Commercial operator Denice Stoops, KI6BBR, who has the distinction of 
sending the final broadcast from San Francisco Radio [KPH] when 
commercial CW shut down did so using a Vibroplex bug.  Her technique was 
a rolling motion of her forearm with little if any independent finger 
movement.  She made zero misteaks.  It's the technique I remember other 
commercial ops using in the 50's, and it's a technique I never learned.  
I think it's a lot like how you hold a pencil when writing,  Whatever 
floats your boat.

In this time of seclusion, and running out of stuff to watch on the DVR, 
we watched a Titanic program on the Smithsonian channel on Netflix.  It 
turned out to be fairly superficial [I expected better from the 
Smithsonian], and did not do credit to the role wireless played in the 
disaster [the CW was from a code oscillator and did not sound like the 5 
KW synchronous spark TX in the other room]. Jack Phillips was depicted 
sending with one finger on a somewhat J-38ish looking key and sending 
Continental code while working Cape Race.  If memory serves me [often 
doesn't these days], ships in that era used American Morse with North 
American stations.  Again ... whatever works for you.

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 3/28/2020 3:47 PM, Jim Danehy wrote:
> Well I have been sending CW for 70 years now. I am not the most accomplished Morse operator you will copy. But I wonder why someone would think it is improper procedure  to move your wrist ? I have watched musicians play guitars and bass instruments. They all move their wrists. I am not a musician myself. But when I do send Morse I get into a rhythm like musicians do. With 70 years of experience I have evolved into a competent operator.
>
>   Many years ago my XYL told me that I also send Morse with my vocal cords when i send CW.  She noted that when serving me food during my contesting. She was correct. My speed might be higher than the average Morse  operator. I started with a straight key in 1950. Went to a Vibroplex bug in 1954. Up Graded to an electronic keyer in 1966. During that 16 year period I always moved my wrist. I probably own two dozen keys and paddles. I don’t get over 35 wpm very often. But if I find that rare operator who can copy QRQ I can crank it up. I can send with either hand too. The one thing I do is not think about what I am doing. It is all reflexes. I am a member of several CW oriented clubs. The German High Speed operators are excellent users of Morse. Google that organization.
>
> To say that moving your wrist is incorrect procedure might appeal to some. Not me. By the way I decided years ago to put a paddle on the floor and use my foot. Really! That allowed me to use both hands. I have not done that for some years. I think I can still do that. using your feet: LF operating. In my case it was RF  (right foot). That was just a challenge. It did take some practice.
>
> I sure beats some of these current modes which do not require any operator skill.
>
> 73
> Jim
> W9VNE/VA3VNE
>