[Elecraft] A or B?

[Mike Morrow]

Several have stated they use "squeeze keying" and therefore use mode B.




That is a total non sequitur.  ALL iambic keying requires simultaneous closure of both paddles...i.e. squeeze keying.  Mode A is just as much a squeeze keying process that closes both paddles to generate an iambic stream as is mode B.  The only difference is TIMING OF PADDLE RELEASE.  Mode B requires paddle release critically earlier to generate a particular iambic stream because it automatically generates the final element in the stream depending on a dot or dash being sent when paddles are released.  Mode A does not automatically generate the final element in any iambic stream.  It simply requires holding both paddles closed until the desired final element has been sent.




There is absolutely no speed advantage of one mode over another, although many mode B users seem to believe that there is.  Some mode B users even believe that they can generate some characters with fewer paddle manipulations than a mode A user.  They can not.  Some mode B users believe only mode B is a squeeze keying process.  Mode A is also.  Regardless of the basis upon which a person selects and learns mode A or mode B, there is no factual basis to claim one mode superior for ANY purpose over the other.




Mike / KK5F




-----Original Message-----
From: Louandzip <louandzip at yahoo.com>
Sent: Jul 6, 2021 11:05 AM
Cc: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] A or B?

I'm a squeezer and use B.  It's physically the easiest, particularly at higher speeds, and I believe B is really most common.  Of course you don't have to squeeze using B.  On Tue, Jul 6, 2021 at 9:11 AM, Tom Doligalski via Elecraft wrote: I’ve always preferred B, and I do use squeeze keying. If I were starting off I would probably recommend B. I doubt there is much difference in the learning curve between either! Tom W4KX > On Jul 6, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: > > I’ve always used mode A. Mode B may be preferable for those doing squeeze-keying, especially at higher speeds. > > Wayne > N6KR > > ---- > elecraft.com > >> On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Gary Peterson wrote: >> >> An old friend, who has been inactive for several years, recently purchased a used K3.  This is the first transceiver that he’s owned that includes a built in keyer.  He has always operated CW with a straight key.  He has acquired Vibroplex paddles and wants to know whether to set the radio’s keyer for mode A or mode B iambic.  He has never used an iambic keyer or a bug, before. >> >> I learned iambic keying with a WB4VVF circuit board, back in the early 1970s, so mode B is what I prefer.  I know there are a lot of died-in-the-wool CW people who frequent this list and I would like any opinions as to whether it is easier for a newbie to learn iambic mode A or mode B.  I have no clue. >> >> Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions that I can pass along. >> >> Gary >> KzeroCX >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to n6kr at elecraft.com > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to w4kx at mac.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to louandzip at yahoo.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to kk5f at earthlink.net