[High-Speed-CW] Best type of paddle/electronics for high speed

[Barry]

Paul,
You ask a good question and I don't think there is one answer.  It's 
whatever you feel most comfortable with.

Personally, I prefer dual paddles.  If you're really good, I think it 
doesn't matter much, until you get to the 60+ WPM range.  Look at this 
picture, which I took at HST 2005 (IARU High Speed Telegraphy competition):
http://w2up.home.mindspring.com/paddles.jpg
Note the white powder on the table - it the same rosin that gymnasts use.
In my opinion, the best paddles are made by Begali, at http://www.i2rtf.com/
Benchers are far less precise, but for 40 WPM should be fine.

Check out this thread from another email list:
http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/CQ-Contest/2005-05/msg00295.html

As far as keyers go, there are 2 keyers that I highly recommend.  One is 
the Idiom Press CMOS Superkeyer or Logikey (different name for kit and 
assembled versions.) 
http://www.idiompress.com/keyers.html
The other, my current favorite, is the Island Keyer II.  Features are 
almost identical, but it's a lot cheaper.
http://home.att.net/~jacksonharbor/ik2.htm

73,
Barry W2UP



Paul F. Sehorne wrote:
> Is there any consensus among the high-speed group as to the best 
> paddle/keyer types; i.e., dual-lever, single-lever, bug, no keyer, 
> iambic, etc.?
> I saw at MorseExpress <http://www.mtech.whsites.net/schurr/> a 
> reference "...the Einhebel is possibly the very best single-lever 
> paddle in the world.  Designed specifically for European-style high 
> speed operation,...".  Since there is a high percentage of European 
> callsigns on the HSC, VHSC, SHSC, and EHSC I'm wondering if there is a 
> common thread regarding hardware/electronics.
>
> I've been a ham for many years, have always liked CW, but have never 
> gotten serious about high speed until recently.  Whatever advice you 
> can give me, particularly regarding keys, bugs, paddles, etc. will be 
> much appreciated.  I can copy individual characters sent at 
> (Farnsworth) 40 wpm character speed and 5 to 10 wpm text speed almost 
> 100%, only having a problem distinguishing between S and H, and H and 
> 5, and a couple of others that have three or four dits in a row, like 
> V and 4). I can also copy W1AW code practice at 18 wpm 100% and 
> decreasing from there to about 75% copy at 25 wpm.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul, WI5F
>
>
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-- 

Barry Kutner, W2UP             
Newtown, PA