Straight Keys, Paddles and Bugs

[WILLIS COOKE]

It seems that there is some disagreement as to whether
a beginner should start with a Straight Key or Paddles
and Keyer.  I favor the Straight Key, but I can see
some merit to the Paddle position.  If you are just
getting started with CW, by all means, don't let the
disagreement prevent you from picking one and getting
started.  Just don't try to learn with a keyboard, it
will not teach you anything except how to type, and
leave the Bugs alone until you approach 20 wpm, the
minimum code speed for which they were designed.



Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ
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[w5tvw]

Having worked CW for some years......I would say stick with a straight key
until you have at least reached 7-10 WPM with no problem.  Going to a
Vibroplex key then would be "OK" as even I find it difficult to send really
good CW on a bug or an automatic key at less than 13-15 WPM.  Once competent
at 15 WPM or more, then you can "graduate" to a single or iambic paddle
automatic key.  I have heard a lot of garbage sent on automatic keys by
inexperienced operators.  It is awful to copy.  Also usually full of errors.
I'd much rather have a QSO with someone at 10-12 WPM with no errors than
have someone trying to race along at 20-25 WPM and every third word is
messed up!

I have heard sent and sometimes have sent almost "tape machine" quality CW
at 20-25 WPM with a really good straight key (in this case a Marconi Marine
type 365 straight key).  But it does get tiring at the higher speeds!
Nothing is worse than chopped up sending with an automatic key.  It's kinda
like someone talking with a mouthful of food.  The more perfect the sending
and spacing, the easier it is to copy.

As for sending with a keyboard, I compare that with using an automated
computer program to make contest contacts.....what's the object of the
exercise?  The keyboard won't make a better CW op out of you and the robot
contesting program won't make a good contester out of you.  (In reality)

73,

Sandy W5TVW
----- Original Message -----
From: "WILLIS COOKE" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 10:30 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] Straight Keys, Paddles and Bugs

> It seems that there is some disagreement as to whether
> a beginner should start with a Straight Key or Paddles
> and Keyer.  I favor the Straight Key, but I can see
> some merit to the Paddle position.  If you are just
> getting started with CW, by all means, don't let the
> disagreement prevent you from picking one and getting
> started.  Just don't try to learn with a keyboard, it
> will not teach you anything except how to type, and
> leave the Bugs alone until you approach 20 wpm, the
> minimum code speed for which they were designed.
>
>
>
> Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
> K5EWJ
> _______________________________________________
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[Darwin, Keith]

----- Original Message -----
> It seems that there is some disagreement as to whether
> a beginner should start with a Straight Key or Paddles
> and Keyer.  I favor the Straight Key, but I can see
> some merit to the Paddle position.
------------------------------

I learned CW on a straight key so it would be easy for me to say "that's
the way it should be done".  Recently, I had the opportunity to observe
my kids as they began learning morse and began sending.  Both of them
struggled more with the straight key than with the keyer.  Both of them
preferred the keyer and felt more confident (and sent good code sooner)
with the keyer.  Both are coordinated kids

Because of this, I've changed my tune and I now recognize that a
straight key is not a beginner's tool, but is for the intermediate CW
operator.  Beginners should not be allowed to use a straight key until
they've earned the right by learning CW and becoming proficient at it
with the automatic keyer.

- Keith N1AS -
- K2 5411.ssb.100 -
- K3 Wave 3 -
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[P.B. Christensen]

> "Because of this, I've changed my tune and I now recognize that a
straight key is not a beginner's tool, but is for the intermediate CW
operator."

Keith,

It's commendable that your kids have shown an interest in Morse.  I learned
basic letter formation using a straight key, but only for the purpose of
sounding out dits and dahs before I became a novice in 1972 at the age of
12.  But, I quickly progressed along a path that included a Vibroplex
Champion bug, then a Heathkit HD-10 single-paddle keyer.   I believe it was
the HD-10 that escalated my high-speed abilities.

Had I been able to afford an iambic electronic keyer as a junior high school
student, I am sure I would have learned on that.  But back in the early
'70s, there wasn't much product available and nothing like there is today in
the way of stand-alone keyers.  And, look at the availability of high-end
paddles.   We've never had it so good.

Looking back, the HD-1410 by Heathkit (and perhaps the Curtis 8044 chips)
probably did more to launch the popularity of iambic CW than all other
products combined.

That said, I see nothing wrong with kids gravitating toward the paddle and
keyer.  The sooner, the better..

Pauil, W9AC

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[Darwin, Keith]

-----Original Message-----
Looking back, the HD-1410 by Heathkit (and perhaps the Curtis 8044
chips) probably did more to launch the popularity of iambic CW than all
other products combined.
Pauil, W9AC
-----------------------

My first run as a Novice was straight key only.  No elmer, no help, no
guidance.  1977.  In 1983 I got back into it and bought an HD-1410.  I
learned left handed squeeze keying in a matter of a few days and never
looked back.

Now, 30+ years later (can it really be that long?) I've returned to the
straight key as my preferred sending device.  It is harder to use.  It
takes more work to generate good code.  It has brought back the joy of
CW for me as I'm no longer sending sterile auto-generated CW, but rather
am sending a little piece of myself with each dit or dah.  The Kent
paddles are packed away (the mic is who knows where) and the operating
desk has a nice straight key and a very nice bug.

And real soon now, it will have a K3 ... :-)

- Keith N1AS -
- K2 5411.ssb.100 -
- K3 Wave 3 -


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[Phil Salas]

"I learned CW on a straight key so it would be easy for me to say "that's
the way it should be done".  Recently, I had the opportunity to observe
my kids as they began learning morse and began sending.  ..."

I started on a straight key, re-learned on a bug, and then re-learned again
on paddles.  Since a CW op will wind up on paddles eventually, I think it
would be best to start there.  Of course, I started out back when a straight
key was very cheap, a bug was more expensive, and you had to have a very
expensive TO keyer (or equivalent) if you wanted to use paddles.  My
daughter (AC5NF) learned on paddles from day-one and had no problem.

Phil - AD5X

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[WA6L]

How true that is.  After years and years of using a paddle, I am learning to use a Bug.  It is quite a challenge.  But as you say, it puts the fun and the individuality back into CW.  

I think if I ever ran out of new things to learn, I would give up Ham Radio.  But luckily there is no danger of that.

Hope your new K3 arrives soon!

John, WA6L
K3: 611

Darwin, Keith wrote

Now, 30+ years later (can it really be that long?) I've returned to the
straight key as my preferred sending device.  It is harder to use.  It
takes more work to generate good code.  It has brought back the joy of
CW for me as I'm no longer sending sterile auto-generated CW, but rather
am sending a little piece of myself with each dit or dah.  The Kent
paddles are packed away (the mic is who knows where) and the operating
desk has a nice straight key and a very nice bug.

And real soon now, it will have a K3 ... :-)

[w7aqk]

I think there are at least two trains of thought on this.
Straight keys are sort of "old hat" to many, and not used
all that much.  Paddles are the choice for the masses it
would seem.  Certainly it is easier using a paddle--at least
I think so.  At a minimum it is less tiring.  But I think if
you are really serious about learning CW you should know how
to send with a straight key with some proficiency.  It's the
simplest mechanism for sending CW, and can be fashioned from
almost anything on a homebrew basis in a pinch.  A few nails
or screws, a small piece of plywood, and a piece of pliable
metal (i.e. a copper strip), and you have the makings for a
hand key.  But don't start with that--get a decent hand key.
They aren't that expensive.  You want one where you can
adjust both the spacing and the tension.  If you learn to
send well formed CW on a hand key, you will be well on your
way to being a FB CW op.  And, you won't miss the fun on
straight key night (New Year's Eve)!  It's not that hard
either.  If you try it, and think it's hard, I'll bet it's
because you are too tense.  Muscle tension restricts
movement.  It's the same whether you are sending with a hand
key or playing golf!

It's certainly not mandatory that you do it this way, but I
think somewhere down the road you will be glad you did.
It's kind of like only learning to drive a car with
automatic transmission.  Sooner or later you will be in a
position of needing to drive a stick shift!  If you want to
do the paddle first, that's probably O.K., but I bet you
will be less inclined to go back and learn with a hand key.
You will probably quickly realize how much easier it is to
send with a paddle, and you're apt to give up on the hand
key.  That would be a shame.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Darwin, Keith" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 6:25 AM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Straight Keys, Paddles and Bugs


----- Original Message -----
> It seems that there is some disagreement as to whether
> a beginner should start with a Straight Key or Paddles
> and Keyer.  I favor the Straight Key, but I can see
> some merit to the Paddle position.
------------------------------

I learned CW on a straight key so it would be easy for me to
say "that's
the way it should be done".  Recently, I had the opportunity
to observe
my kids as they began learning morse and began sending.
Both of them
struggled more with the straight key than with the keyer.
Both of them
preferred the keyer and felt more confident (and sent good
code sooner)
with the keyer.  Both are coordinated kids

Because of this, I've changed my tune and I now recognize
that a
straight key is not a beginner's tool, but is for the
intermediate CW
operator.  Beginners should not be allowed to use a straight
key until
they've earned the right by learning CW and becoming
proficient at it
with the automatic keyer.

- Keith N1AS -
- K2 5411.ssb.100 -
- K3 Wave 3 -
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[Ken, KA0W]

Good to try (use) all the CW tools. Whatever the op
likes and is comfortable with is what the op will
prefer. One soon finds out that it's the op much more
than the specific tools that make the wonderful CW
noise. Excluding a keyboard perhaps. Even some of
those sound a little shabby when the op doesn't know
where the space key is at.

Have fun!

Ken, KA0W



 

   
--- Phil & Debbie Salas <[hidden email]> wrote:

> "I learned CW on a straight key so it would be easy
> for me to say "that's
> the way it should be done".  Recently, I had the
> opportunity to observe
> my kids as they began learning morse and began
> sending.  ..."
>
> I started on a straight key, re-learned on a bug,
> and then re-learned again
> on paddles.  Since a CW op will wind up on paddles
> eventually, I think it
> would be best to start there.  Of course, I started
> out back when a straight
> key was very cheap, a bug was more expensive, and
> you had to have a very
> expensive TO keyer (or equivalent) if you wanted to
> use paddles.  My
> daughter (AC5NF) learned on paddles from day-one and
> had no problem.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
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>
>
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>

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