Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

[K7TV]

Ron, since I learnt CW in Sweden many years ago, I am very comfortable
transmitting without having the forearm on the table. In fact, I have used
that method during all my years in the US until recently. The key to the
method (pls forgive pun) is to mount the key on a platform under the table
so that the upper arm can hang straight down and the forearm is in a
horizontal position when holding the key knob. This is a very relaxed
position. The type of key was (you guessed it) the Swedish type. The amount
of stiffness in the wrist needs to be just right, so that when the arm
presses down on the key, the hand moves a little upwards relative to the
arm, providing some spring cushioning action. Only after I had hit my knee
too many times on the key mounted under the table, and realizing that I was
using paddles rather than a straight key all the time, did I recently remove
that key and replaced it with a J-38 on the table. It took me a while to get
the hang of it, and I still think my fist is better with the old method.

 

BTW, when I first started using paddles, I had the dashes on the thumb and
just couldn't learn it. Maybe I should have tried rolling the arm. When I
switched to dits on the thumb I suddenly found sending easy. Never having
tried a bug, I move only fingers, and with very small gaps.

 

I would be interested to learn exactly how the super high speed types use
the whole arm.

 

73,

Erik K7TV

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------

Very interesting Barry.

 

I'm not a high speed operator (my best is 35 wpm) and 99% of my operating is

15 to 25 wpm. I also use my whole arm, rolling it side to side to operate
the paddles and find it very comfortable at those speeds for very long
periods at the key. Indeed, many of the guys working at commercial stations
used the same technique for entire work shifts sending long messages.

 

I'm aware that many non-US operators do *not* rest their forearm on the
table. I can see how moving one's whole arm would be extremely tiring doing
that. Indeed, I can't picture using a straight key that way, much less
paddles. You didn't note whether that was what the guys like EU1KI do.

 

When I moved onto an Iambic keyer, I kept the same motion rolling my forearm
resting on the table top. I have never used very tight spacing with tiny
movements of thumb and fingers. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of us old
"bug" operators do the same.

 

Also, I kept the standard orientation of dashes with thumb, dits with index
finger. Been pounding brass that way for >60 years now.

 

My point is that the rarified world of 50 wpm and above obviously has its
special demands on the operator, but few of us actually "live" there.

 

73, Ron AC7AC

 

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[Buddy Brannan]

What? All the bugs I have, all three of 'em, have dits on the thumb and dahs on the other not thumb side. Huh...
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: [phone] or 888-75-BUDDY



On Jan 5, 2013, at 9:26 PM, "Erik Basilier" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Ron, since I learnt CW in Sweden many years ago, I am very comfortable
> transmitting without having the forearm on the table. In fact, I have used
> that method during all my years in the US until recently. The key to the
> method (pls forgive pun) is to mount the key on a platform under the table
> so that the upper arm can hang straight down and the forearm is in a
> horizontal position when holding the key knob. This is a very relaxed
> position. The type of key was (you guessed it) the Swedish type. The amount
> of stiffness in the wrist needs to be just right, so that when the arm
> presses down on the key, the hand moves a little upwards relative to the
> arm, providing some spring cushioning action. Only after I had hit my knee
> too many times on the key mounted under the table, and realizing that I was
> using paddles rather than a straight key all the time, did I recently remove
> that key and replaced it with a J-38 on the table. It took me a while to get
> the hang of it, and I still think my fist is better with the old method.
>
>
>
> BTW, when I first started using paddles, I had the dashes on the thumb and
> just couldn't learn it. Maybe I should have tried rolling the arm. When I
> switched to dits on the thumb I suddenly found sending easy. Never having
> tried a bug, I move only fingers, and with very small gaps.
>
>
>
> I would be interested to learn exactly how the super high speed types use
> the whole arm.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
> Erik K7TV
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------------------
>
> Very interesting Barry.
>
>
>
> I'm not a high speed operator (my best is 35 wpm) and 99% of my operating is
>
> 15 to 25 wpm. I also use my whole arm, rolling it side to side to operate
> the paddles and find it very comfortable at those speeds for very long
> periods at the key. Indeed, many of the guys working at commercial stations
> used the same technique for entire work shifts sending long messages.
>
>
>
> I'm aware that many non-US operators do *not* rest their forearm on the
> table. I can see how moving one's whole arm would be extremely tiring doing
> that. Indeed, I can't picture using a straight key that way, much less
> paddles. You didn't note whether that was what the guys like EU1KI do.
>
>
>
> When I moved onto an Iambic keyer, I kept the same motion rolling my forearm
> resting on the table top. I have never used very tight spacing with tiny
> movements of thumb and fingers. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of us old
> "bug" operators do the same.
>
>
>
> Also, I kept the standard orientation of dashes with thumb, dits with index
> finger. Been pounding brass that way for >60 years now.
>
>
>
> My point is that the rarified world of 50 wpm and above obviously has its
> special demands on the operator, but few of us actually "live" there.
>
>
>
> 73, Ron AC7AC
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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[Barry]

Here's a youtube video with an example:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9S-NzsUD5w
In this one, it's not the entire arm, but it looks painful the way she slaps those paddles :.)  About 25 seconds in, not the large contact spacing.

This guy on a straight key is pretty amazing:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMFp1P8Qhsg&list=PLB5BFA015F6E930AE

Barry W2UP

[Rick Johnson-2]

How many dual paddles do you note in these clips?
73,Rick W3BI

> Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2013 04:24:28 -0800
> From: [hidden email]
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)
>
> Here's a youtube video with an example:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9S-NzsUD5w
> In this one, it's not the entire arm, but it looks painful the way she slaps
> those paddles :.)  About 25 seconds in, not the large contact spacing.
>
> This guy on a straight key is pretty amazing:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMFp1P8Qhsg&list=PLB5BFA015F6E930AE
>
> Barry W2UP
>
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/Suggested-key-paddle-for-CW-for-a-the-K3-and-others-not-expensive-tp7568276p7568300.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

     
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[Barry]

I didn't view all of it, but probably none.  Keep in mind, these are the Russian and Belarus teams.  They have very structured training programs where they start in elementary schools.  They teach their method for sending CW and their method of receiving using a shorthand system to get it down on paper (though I believe they are now transitioning to laptops for copy).

Ken, KE3X wrote a very interesting article about HST and some of the training in the PVRC newsletter.  See here: http://www.pvrc.org/Newsletters/dec11.pdf

Barry W2UP

<quote author="Rick Johnson-2">
How many dual paddles do you note in these clips?
73,Rick W3BI