OT - Two learnig the code tips

[Ken Kopp]

After 55 years of CW I have two suggestions that I think are
worth passing on ...

When using a straight key one's wrist ond/or forearm should
never touch the desk. The thumb and fingers rest on the key
knob and the elbow on the desk.  The wrist then becomes a
"spring" or shock-absorber.  Sending with only wrist up-and
-down action will result in the dreaded "glass fist".

Transcribe any copy in longhand.  Most people can write much
faster than they can print.  This is self-evident but it seems few
do so.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
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[Ian Stirling, G4ICV, AB2GR]

On Friday 19 October 2007 12:17:06 Ken Kopp wrote:

> When using a straight key one's wrist ond/or forearm should
> never touch the desk. The thumb and fingers rest on the key
> knob and the elbow on the desk.  The wrist then becomes a
> "spring" or shock-absorber.  Sending with only wrist up-and
> -down action will result in the dreaded "glass fist".

 With over 40 years of playing the piano, I do not need
to support my elbow on the desk - that inhibits my
control using wrist and arm from the shoulder action.
I use a push pull action, two fingers on the top of
the knob, thumb under, effectively gripping the knob.
 Proper training in piano teaches all the muscles used
to relax whenever possible, no matter how fleeting a
moment is available. It's superb training for the
incidental ability to use a straight key continuously
with an unsupported arm for hours. (A two hour recital
of Beethoven piano sonatas is much more physically
demanding than operating a straight key for the same
time)

Ian, G4ICV, AB2GR, K2 #49262
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[Ian Stirling, G4ICV, AB2GR]

On Friday 19 October 2007 14:03:48 Ian Stirling wrote:
 
> Ian, G4ICV, AB2GR, K2 #49262

 Oops - wonder Elecraft would like to have sold
that many K2s.

Ian, G4ICV, AB2GR, K2 #4962
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[David Cutter]

Your seating position is critical to long term comfort.  I learnt this on a typing course back in days of old.  The forearm needs to be horizontal, particularly NOT elbow lower.  An adjustable chair is good.  

I much prefer a disc under the knob so that the middle finger presses on that and the thumb and forefinger just rest on the knob for guidance.   The middle finger acts as a hinge against the larger movement of the wrist and arm which can move up and down an inch, whereas the gap might be only the thickness of paper.

David
G3UNA

>
> From: Ian Stirling <[hidden email]>
> Date: 2007/10/19 Fri PM 07:03:48 BST
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT - Two learnig the code tips
>
> On Friday 19 October 2007 12:17:06 Ken Kopp wrote:
>
> > When using a straight key one's wrist ond/or forearm should
> > never touch the desk. The thumb and fingers rest on the key
> > knob and the elbow on the desk.  The wrist then becomes a
> > "spring" or shock-absorber.  Sending with only wrist up-and
> > -down action will result in the dreaded "glass fist".
>
>  With over 40 years of playing the piano, I do not need
> to support my elbow on the desk - that inhibits my
> control using wrist and arm from the shoulder action.
> I use a push pull action, two fingers on the top of
> the knob, thumb under, effectively gripping the knob.
>  Proper training in piano teaches all the muscles used
> to relax whenever possible, no matter how fleeting a
> moment is available. It's superb training for the
> incidental ability to use a straight key continuously
> with an unsupported arm for hours. (A two hour recital
> of Beethoven piano sonatas is much more physically
> demanding than operating a straight key for the same
> time)
>
> Ian, G4ICV, AB2GR, K2 #49262
> --
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> Elecraft mailing list
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> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
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>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

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