[Elecraft] Not moving your wrist sending CW ?

Sun Mar 29 18:09:36 EDT 2020

Ha, ha... computer spell check at work: "immolated".

Sending on a bug is quite different from sending on a paddle + keyer. 
The op needs to be more physical with a bug in order to inject kinetic 
energy into the mechanism. Setting it up like a paddle and trying to 
work it with fingers only will not go very well.

As for copying, there is nothing worse than words run together in 
combination with pauses in the middle of words-- probably at least as 
common with paddles as bugs. Any sending variations other than that are 
merely "accents". (Admittedly, there is no accent with paddle + keyer-- 
only mistakes.)

73,
Drew
AF2Z

On 03/29/20 17:16, marvwheeler at nwlink.com wrote:
> Copying code sent with a semi-automatic key is significantly different than copying code sent with a keyer and paddle. Most amateurs, including many old time operators, send the dits at 40 wpm and the dahs at 15 wpm. Denise stoops sounds as good as anyone I have ever heard using a bug and should be immolated to everyone attempting to use one.
> 
> Marv KG7V
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Bob McGraw K4TAX
> Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2020 2:02 PM
> To: donovanf at starpower.net
> Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Not moving your wrist sending CW ?
> 
> Sending with a semi-automatic key, a.k.a, bug, is significantly different than sending with a paddle connected to a keyer.   The keyer is supposed to make the dit-dah ratio and spacing correct. The length of the elements is controlled and timed electronically.
> 
> With a bug the length of a dah is controlled by the operator and the dit length by the vibrating pendulum.
> 
> I learned on a bug but now favor the paddle/keyer combination.
>   
> Bob, K4TAX
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 29, 2020, at 3:37 PM, donovanf at starpower.net wrote:
>>
>> Hi Fred,
>>
>>
>> This is the video you remembered. Denise has a unique sending style
>> and remarkably good -- and error free -- bug sending.
>>
>>
>> www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYhrSEERvbI
>>
>> 73
>> Frank
>> W3LPL
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>
>> From: "Fred Jensen" <k6dgw at foothill.net>
>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>> Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2020 6:40:22 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Not moving your wrist sending CW ?
>>
>> 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
>>>
>>
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