Bill,
Congratulations on getting back into CW. I got into ham radio in the 50's and used hand keys and bugs for 30 years. I even operated comercially as both a shore and shipboard radio op. Although CW was "my thing", the switch to iambic keying was not easy for me. Finally after many years iambic keying now seems natural to me. I was just too stuborn to give up and switch to a single lever paddle which would have been easy and natural. The suggestion just posted to switch to a single lever paddle is especially appropriate to someone who finds iambic keying difficult. If I could do it all over, I think I would have just gone to a single lever paddle. I have suggested the single lever paddle before to older folks getting back into CW.
If you decide to tackle iambic keying, read the many postings on this and other sites and determine if A or B is for you and then STICK TO IT. I had trouble keying my new KX1 for weeks, until I discovered that it was set to A, not the B mode I had been using for 20 years with other rigs.
I think new and especially younger hams should attempt to master iambic keying. However if it does not "come together" then just relax and use your single lever paddle.
You asked about how to learn Iambic keying. Perhaps you could search the internet for a method, although I suspect that most of us just experiment and practice for many hours (off the air).
One other thought....in the last few years many more bugs have been heard on the air. In the old days often we could recognize who was sending even before they sent their call. Today this is not possible.
Rick KL7CW 99% CW since 1954
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to:
[hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help:
http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htmElecraft web page:
http://www.elecraft.com
Locked
