[Fists] More questions on sending.

[w8fax at wildblue.net]

I wonder if some of the problem that folks have with bugs is that they try
to get on the air too quickly, before they have really got it down good
enuff to QSO. Also, getting a bug adjusted can be a sport all it's own. I
have a Vibroplex I bought at Hamvention (new) a few years ago. For the
money, it is a POS. It will NOT stay in adjustment, and feels sloppy. I
also have a Blue Racer made many years ago that is easy to use and stays
where I put it. It was an Ebay special. I also think many ops try to slow
down the bugs sending speed  to speeds below what they were designed to be
used at. Adding weights etc, does not ALWAYS work. So then, an op is stuck
trying to send at a speed he is uncomfortable with. i.e. 15 WPM fist
trying to send at 25 WPM. My key is set at about 22/25 WPM +/-, or that is
the speed I like to use it. I find in the last few years that most of the
answers I get to CQ's around the FISTS freqs are way to slow for me to use
the bug, so I have stopped using it. I cannot use a paddle below about 18
WPM either, and have to switch to a hand key if slower. I have no problem
doing that, and sure don't mind slowing down, but I seem to be doing it
more and more lately. But....everybody has to start somewhere. I remember
someplace, maybe an old QST, about using an ohm meter to set your bug
speed on the dit side. I can't remember the particulars, but perhaps
someone here can fill in. I should get out my old swiper and embarrass
myself some more.     73     Al/W8FAX/2192
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