[Fists] Renewed CW interest

[Al Tanner]

These are always interesting discussions, as they show so many diverse 
directions ops have taken over the years. I also learned on a 1 dollar key, 
then went to an old bug a railroader gave me. I went from there to a 
sideswiper, and stayed with that for years. Then I was off the air for a 
good long time. When I returned and tried to use the new paddles that were 
now in use, I found I had a big problem because somewhere in the dim dark 
recesses of my memory, my brain was telling my hand to send using the 
swiper. But, perseverance won out, and now I use the paddles almost 
exclusively. I use a hand key if I have to slow down below about 15 wpm or 
so. I STILL cannot make the paddles work for me at slower speeds. I guess I 
don't try hard enuff.....but then I get to use a hand key and stay 
proficient with it also. As was noted, the paddles will allow you to spend 
long periods on the air with no fatigue in your hand, wrist , or arm that is 
common with hand keys. Plus, as your skill improves, so will your speed, and 
you won't be limited by a hand pump. So I guess I'm saying, for me, I like 
and use both, but for different reasons. Also, if I use any of my 
boatanchors, chances are I will use a hand key, as they don't have built in 
keying, and the voltage across the terminals is too high for most modern 
keyers. Sometimes I use a Hallicrafters TO-1, but that is a sport all it's 
own too. BTW, I use a CMOS 4 with a Pro 3 and even tho the pro has a great 
keyer, I like the access and sound/memory of the CMOS. Good luck, and hope 
to hear you soon. Get on the air.......it's the best training there 
is......73.....Al / W8FAX/2192