FW: start with straight key or paddles?

[Dan Barker]

Admittedly, I have an $80 Straight Key and some $80 paddles, but the SK
needn't be fancy to go from zip to 10 WPM. You should be able to find
something (my first one was $4.95 at Radio Shack, but that was a few years
ago - Currently, it's a chrome-plated Bencher straight key).

Can you save the $80 from MFJ and get CWGET (Free)? It requires a computer
or laptop, but will read what you send if it's any good at all. That should
free up the bucks for the paddles after you get your feet wet making the
elements with the J38.

A quick Google "straight key price" shows lots under $20.

Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 3:56 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?


Comrades,
I'm working on my code to get my licenses soon.  I will want to do CW with
the k2 I will buy and build on board our trawler.  1st mate and CFO watches
expenses like a hawk and will catch me if I (gasp) buy two things which
appear to do same thing. You can't hide much from her on the 36 boat we live
on. I intend to get the $80 MFJ code reader because some of you have
convinced me that it is a good detector of unreadable output.  I'm hoping to
get my speed and accuracy up by sending to the MFJ.

If I ultimately intend to use paddles as most of you appear to be doing, why
is it a bad idea simply to start with a set?  I can understand that what I'm
really wanting to do is to train my "fist" and ears, but it looks like
paddles involve somewhat different monkey motions and maybe it would make
more sense just to buy a set and get on with it.

comments?

regards,  John Ferguson - M/V Arcadian (now in Norfolk,VA waiting for wave
amplitude reduction in Chesapeake Bay before continuing northward)


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