K3 in the Media

[Nate Bargmann]

* On 2011 28 Jun 23:20 -0500, Buddy Brannan wrote:
> Completely agree. To this day, I still can't send properly with an iambic paddle and tend to use them as though they were single lever paddles. Even though I've never owned such a beast. Really, really want another bug, though.

In late '09 I read the World of Ideas column in CQ by the late Dave
Ingram, K4TWJ, wherein he introduced the W6AME Bushwhacker single lever
paddle kit.  His statement that many ops find single lever keying easier
and more accurate than iambic intrigued me so I ordered one and received
it on a snowy Christmas Eve just before our Christmas blizzard of '09 so
I had plenty of time to play with it.  Admittedly, operating one is
deceptively simple yet takes a much different technique than iambic
paddles.  I find my accuracy has improved but still has a long way to
go!

http://www.americanmorse.com/bushwhacker.htm

It is a well-made unit, very precise, and offers a wide range of
adjustment.

I've had several straight keys from various no-name cheapies to a J-38.
Last August I picked up a tarnished key on a black krinkle finish base.
It looked neat and felt good so I paid the asking price and found out
later that it is a Nye Speed-X key.  I cleaned the nickel parts with
NEVR-DULL and it looks great on the desk and is much easier to use than
any previous key.  I bought the matching base from Morse Express which
makes for a nice key that is not too high off the desk top.

73, de Nate N0NB >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds.  The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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[Lou Kolb]

I get exactly that same benefit from using a keyboard keyer.  Exposure to
good code, I think, really does breed better sending.  If you're a good
enough typist, you can, as has been mentioned, just let the buffer fill,
(200 characters in my case) and just enjoy the music of Morse.  Lou --  
WA3MIX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Wayne Conrad" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2011 1:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Straight key first?

> I'm too new to this to know much, but it seems to me that one might best
> learn to send Morse well by copying a lot of well sent Morse.  I only
> say this because I listened to computer generated Morse for months
> before I got on the air.  When I finally did send, I got compliments
> right away on my fist.  All I was doing, though, is sending the same
> rhythm I'd been hearing for months.
>
> If this was already said, then I apologize for the redundant repetition :)
>
> 73, Wayne Conrad KF7QGA
>
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[PTA_ABD]

There is a certain value in learning to use a straight key. Requires no power or batteries, is immune to RF,  and passable CW can be generated with just about any type of contacts. I recall using gum wrappers taped to my fingers when I was a kid ( just fer fun).

I still have one hooked up. I don't use it often, but I find difficulty using paddles under QRS conditions. Sadly, so many years of using paddles makes tickling a bug impossible anymore... yuck!

Paul WB2ABD
K3 #129
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You will easily use a straight key if you ever need to now that the rhythm  
of the code is built into your mind.
    Good luck and have fun,
       Kevin.  KD5ONS


On Tue, 28 Jun 2011 22:14:43 -0700, Wayne Conrad <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I'm too new to this to know much, but it seems to me that one might best
> learn to send Morse well by copying a lot of well sent Morse.  I only
> say this because I listened to computer generated Morse for months
> before I got on the air.  When I finally did send, I got compliments
> right away on my fist.  All I was doing, though, is sending the same
> rhythm I'd been hearing for months.
>
> If this was already said, then I apologize for the redundant repetition  
> :)
>
> 73, Wayne Conrad KF7QGA

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I once had an op check into ECN who I knew but his fist sounded rather  
odd.  Spacing was good but the keying sounded flaky.  He was also slower  
than his normal speed.  After the nets he emailed me and told me his  
story.  He had been using two pieces of stranded wire to send code.  I  
think solid wire works much better ;)  Once you know code you can use any  
manner of instrument to send it.
    73,
       Kevin.  KD5ONS


On Wed, 29 Jun 2011 05:54:28 -0700, PTA_ABD <[hidden email]> wrote:

> There is a certain value in learning to use a straight key. Requires no  
> power or batteries, is immune to RF,  and passable CW can be generated  
> with just about any type of contacts. I recall using gum wrappers taped  
> to my fingers when I was a kid ( just fer fun).
>
> I still have one hooked up. I don't use it often, but I find difficulty  
> using paddles under QRS conditions. Sadly, so many years of using  
> paddles makes tickling a bug impossible anymore... yuck!
>
> Paul WB2ABD
> K3 #129

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[Cookie]

Wayne, congratulations!  It did not take you long to find the secret.  I still
listen to W1AW code practice from time to time and I have only been licensed
since 1956.  It always pays to listen to well sent code from time to time along
with the hodge podge of good and not so good code you hear on the air.  It is
great to be able to copy anybody and it is also great to be able to send so that
anybody can copy.
 Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart




________________________________
From: Wayne Conrad <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Wed, June 29, 2011 12:14:43 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Straight key first?

I'm too new to this to know much, but it seems to me that one might best
learn to send Morse well by copying a lot of well sent Morse.  I only
say this because I listened to computer generated Morse for months
before I got on the air.  When I finally did send, I got compliments
right away on my fist.  All I was doing, though, is sending the same
rhythm I'd been hearing for months.

If this was already said, then I apologize for the redundant repetition :)

73, Wayne Conrad KF7QGA

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[Jim Dunstan-2]

At 06:06 PM 6/28/2011 -0700, you wrote:

>The hardest CW to copy (for me anyway) has insufficient spacing between
>letters or words.
>This is exactly what a keyer does NOT help you with! The operator has to
>learn to
>recognize what good CW sounds like. Does sending with a straight key help
>with that?
>Maybe, but I doubt it.
>
>Many of you have heard old-timers with bugs sending with the "banana-boat
>swing" (dits way
>too fast for the dahs) or the "Lake Erie swing" (think about sending from
>a rolling ship).
>These are generally considered 'bad CW', but they aren't difficult to copy.
>
>The techniques of sending with an iambic paddle, a bug and a straight key
>are very
>different. I don't think learning one helps you with the others.

Hi

I worked in Commercial CW communications at the tail-end of the era in the
50's and early 60's.
At one point while in the Arctic we communicated with 2 stations in the
south, Winnipeg and
Ottawa.  Between the 2 stations there would be 8 to 10 different
operators.  I could tell
immediately who was on shift by the sound of the 'fist'.  Almost all of the
operators used a
bug (each carried his in it's own case ... like professional pool players).

A new man was immediately recognized ... and the usual response was to
speed up hi.
Personal communications was frowned upon.  However on a night shift there
would be
a lot of banter ... (you would think we had QSK hi)  You had to be careful
though .. in those
days we actually had Radio Monitoring Stations.  It was possible to
actually get a ticket for
illegal traffic hi hi.  The person giving the citation had to be a CW op as
well and vy mean.

I agree that certain kinds of "swing" with faster dots than dashes makes
copying easier.
Perfect  CW ... as generated by a computer I find becomes harder to copy
once the
speed goes up beyond 20 WPM.

I like an electronic keyer setup to simulate a bug (old habits I guess)
with electronic dits and
manual dashes.  I can use a squeeze type setup ... but find I have to shift
to the bug style
in order to be more comfortable .... and to get into the 'swing' of things hi.

As far as the straight key .... I don't know of anyone who continued to use
one once
they moved out of Radio School.  Strange thing though .... in Radio School
all CW reception
was recorded with pencil and paper.  The really good ops made the
transition to the
typewriter ... since all messages must be as received ... es not
paraphrased hi hi.

As mentioned my experience is at the tail end of the era.  Some of the old
hands (really old hands)
talked about how they were sometime forbidden to use a bug as
communications was considered
to be more accurate with a straight key.  Most of these experiences were
railroad telegraphers
and marine operators .

The transmitter we used in the Arctic was a 300 watt Collins with full AM
modulation.  It was
strictly forbidden to use AM. Although I recall using it on a few occasions
hi hi.  (where did the
microphone come from ?)

Sorry for rambling on.  I was very fortunate to have learned CW and how to
type (in a girls class in High School).
I don't know one CW op with Alzheimers hi hi   It is great for the grey matter.

73

Jim, VE3CI



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