Re: Software CW in K3 and KX3 and contesting

Posted by W2RU - Bud Hippisley on Aug 10, 2012; 11:15pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Elecraft-K3-KX3-Software-CW-in-K3-and-KX3-and-contesting-tp7560803p7560810.html

Hi, Will --

"Q" was probably not the best choice I could have used to distinguish between the two modes.

My biggest problem with Iambic and a dual-lever paddle is the number "2", which I do have to send occasionally....:-)  It typically comes out as  dit-dit-dah-dit-dah.

For me, at least, I think the crux of the difference between the two algorithms is that I can be "sloppier" about when I get my thumb or fingers off the first lever squeezed on a large number of characters, such as the A, W, J, 1 and N, D, B, 6 families.   This timing becomes increasingly critical as sending speed increases.  For instance, I can send a "2" quite consistently using dual-lever Iambic at slow speeds.

I freely admit that my difficulties with Iambic may be influenced by the characteristics of keyers I first used, prior to introduction of the Iambic algorithm.  In other words, if your first electronic keyer was Iambic, you may not have as much trouble as I with it.   An aside:  One of those early keyers I loved, the POO-keyer from K2POO, was a (vacuum tube!) "dash priority" or "dash override" design -- not so much by deliberate design, perhaps, as by the reaction of the analog circuit to having dot and dash contacts simultaneously closed.

Ultimately (get that?), I think the answer is this:  If you're perfectly happy with the Iambic algorithm in conjunction with a dual-lever paddle, and it's making good characters for you, or if you use only a single-lever paddle, stick with the Iambic.  If it's giving you "fits", however, an Ultimatic keyer might be just the ticket for you.

Bud, W2RU


On Aug 10, 2012, at 6:13 PM, Mercury <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Maybe I'm missing something, Bud, but I send the letter Q the same way with Iambic B keying. Hold the dah paddle for the duration of the letter and tap the dit at the appropriate place. No need to let up on the dah paddle. Is there some other characteristic that distinguishes Ulimatic from Iambic B? I've never used Ultimatic keying but hear a lot of folks rave about it. I do just fine with Iambic B but mess up big time with Iambic A. To each his own.
>
> 73 - Will, AI4VE
>
> Sent from my iPad
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