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1-10 of 42 messages
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New to CW, what key should I use?
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by JUKINGEO on March 25, 2009
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Hello all,
This post is kind of an extension of my other post here on starting up with CW and ham radios. The thing is that post got very lengthy in regards to the choice of radio I would need that I decided not to muddle that post up and start a new post in regards to what key should I select to learn code on.
For learning code I have selected the Koch method and I have a couple of different programs I am trying out, including the one what is on the website lcwo.net (CW on-line).
At any rate, while learning the Koch method I got to thinking that I should get a key and a code practice oscillator NOW.
I do already own a couple straight keys (one being a nice key from the Navy). However, after doing much reading on ham radio CW, I found out that the straight key causes more fatigue and there is a limit to how fast you can send characters/words.
Thus I am making the choice to go with another key such as a bug or iambic paddle. I will say that did some initial research on the iambic paddle and I came across this on the web:
http://www.morsex.com/pubs/iambicmyth.pdf
I will say that since I am learning morse code, I do agree with most what is said here. I DO want to learn to send the code properly MYSELF and not rely on electronic or the Iambic method.
With that in mind it would seem that the bug would be a good first choice.
I know that the style of key will probably bring much debate here, but understand that my goal is to learn the code the proper way so I can follow (and perhaps later transmit) at the correct speed that is used on the airwaves today.
I do have a limited budget and I am not looking to spend more than $100 on a key.
So now I would like to know what my choices would be for a first time key. Should I go with an older style bug? Should I go with an iambic paddle (but just not use the squeeze key function)?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank You,
Geo
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by N3QE on March 25, 2009
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By FAR, the WORST CW I hear on the air are hams trying to use bugs who don't know how to use bugs. They're really easy to spot: way too many dits or the wrong number of dits. Most of the time they also have very very poor intercharacter and interword spacing.
Don't take this as a slam against bugs. But using them properly is not trivial. Most of the hams trying to use them but failing are not newbies (although some are).
I see no reason to not start using a straight key... that's what I did an increasing chunk of a century ago. Your code with a straight key won't be perfect at first, and everyone you have a QSO with will bend over backwards to accomodate you. Get on the air with a bug but not knowing how to use it... this is far far far harder to accomodate. Not that I don't try, but it's damn hard to copy those folks. At the speeds you'll be able to copy at first - say 5 to 10 WPM - there's no big problem for a physically able to person to use a straight key.
Some of the same difficulties with a bug will be there with an iambic keyer. But I see no reason to not go to an iambic keyer when you think you're ready.
It is possible to use a bug as a straight key, and I think there are advantages to side-to-side keying as opposed to up-down keying. But you could also take your old straight key and screw it to a chunk of wood so it's sideways and get the same advantage.
If you're not physically able to use a straight key, you probably will do even worse with a bug. In these cases I think it's fine to use a computer keyboard.
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by N2EY on March 25, 2009
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My advice is to start with a straight key. While it is more work than a bug or paddle, and most people can't do more than 25 wpm on a straight key, it will teach you proper spacing and other skills.
Plus you already have one.
73 de Jim, N2EY
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by N9GXA on March 25, 2009
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You'll probably get another lengthy set of replies, but it's all subjective as can be found in earlier posts.
I re-started with a dual paddle, iambic Bencher BY-1 for ~$55 off of eBay. Worked fine. Didn't use the iambic squeeze option at first. I use that feature now when calm. If I mess up too much or try sending faster than I normally send, I tend to not squeeze as much. I have since bought a Vibroplex Brass Racer (Iambic, also) which uses magnetic return. I now prefer the magnetic return, but this is yet another area you can get different views depending on the posters preference.
I wonder why your aim is a bug? Although I have never used one on the air, I have "worked" a few to see how the repeating dit feature actually happens. Even though a bug isn't electronic, it uses mechanical parts to make the repeating dits. If you want to learn to form the characters yourself, I'd say stay with the straight key. Otherwise, make it easy on yourself and get an iambic paddle of some sort.
I can turn off my keyer and use my paddle as a straight key in a side-swiper fashion. I haven't attempted that on the air, but it shows me how much the keyer works for me. I guess I want to make it as easy as possible for the receiving op to understand what I am trying to send.
73 - Paul - N9GXA
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by W5ESE on March 25, 2009
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I agree with Jim.
I would use one of the straight keys you already
have. They'll keep you suitably entertained for
a year (or more).
Honestly, with a bug, it's difficult to send
slower than 20-25 wpm and have it sound right.
73
Scott
W5ESE
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by AA4N on March 25, 2009
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Hi,
I'm a fairly new ham, I got started about a year ago. I've concentrated almost exclusively on CW, and have now used all three of the key types that you mentioned. Here's my take.
Straight Key: Start there, you shouldn't be sending code faster than you can copy it, and it will be a while before you are going so fast that sending with a straight key is slowing you down or causing fatigue. It's the best way to learn code and develope a proper feel for how to form the characters.
Bug: I love bugs, I got mine after about 3 months. You'll need a bug tamer (and extra weight that you attach to the arm) to slow it down. They don't go much slower than 20-25 wpm in stock form. They require a good bit of skill (a lot of practice) to get clean code out of them, but once you've got the touch they are very satisfying and a lot less work than a straight key. They say that if you play music it's a great help when learning a bug. As it turns out I play lots of instruments (including banjo). I agree, the timing used with a bug is a lot like playing piano, or banjo, or fingerpicking a guitar. I picked it up quicker than most but I'm still only good for about 15wpm.
Paddles: Wow, I got my first keyer and paddles about a month ago. These things really feel like cheating after using a bug for 9 months. They clean up all kinds of sloppy sending and make sending squeaky clean code a breeze. A memory keyer makes contesting ridiculously easy (I'm talking world-class cheating). When I reach the point that I'm doing hour long rag-chews at 40wpm, I'm definitely going for the paddles. However, I've noticed that if I use the paddles for a few days, my bug fist really suffers and it takes a few hours to get the timing sorted out again. The keyer almost encourages sloppy sending.
Conclusion: I love old retro gear. So, the bug is my first choice. It makes me really happy when folks compliment my bug fist. But, you should spend your first few months with a straight key, just to get the basics down. When you are ready to graduate, either the bug or paddles are a great choice. Paddles are really easy and effortless and a good keyer makes contesting an exercise in pushing buttons. The bugs are a big improvement in ergonomics, and go much faster than a straight key, but they take lots of practice and skill. The choice is yours.
I got both :)
73 de AA4N
mike
PS. Just don't go the keyboard route...
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by JUKINGEO on March 25, 2009
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<<By FAR, the WORST CW I hear on the air are hams trying to use bugs who don't know how to use bugs. They're really easy to spot: way too many dits or the wrong number of dits. Most of the time they also have very very poor intercharacter and interword spacing.
Don't take this as a slam against bugs. But using them properly is not trivial. Most of the hams trying to use them but failing are not newbies (although some are).>>
So would I be better off with paddles then?
<<I see no reason to not start using a straight key... that's what I did an increasing chunk of a century ago. Your code with a straight key won't be perfect at first, and everyone you have a QSO with will bend over backwards to accomodate you. Get on the air with a bug but not knowing how to use it... this is far far far harder to accomodate. Not that I don't try, but it's damn hard to copy those folks. At the speeds you'll be able to copy at first - say 5 to 10 WPM - there's no big problem for a physically able to person to use a straight key.>>
Ok, I was just trying to avoid any plateaus and then have to learn all over again with a different key.
<<Some of the same difficulties with a bug will be there with an iambic keyer. But I see no reason to not go to an iambic keyer when you think you're ready.>>
Well, after I read that one document I put in my initial post, I did try the movements of a straight key versus the wrist rocking motion uses for bug or paddle operation. The wrist rocking motion seems more natural because you set your fingers at a set spacing. So in a way I can see how that can produce less fatigue than using a straight key.
<<It is possible to use a bug as a straight key, and I think there are advantages to side-to-side keying as opposed to up-down keying. But you could also take your old straight key and screw it to a chunk of wood so it's sideways and get the same advantage.>>
Hmmm, that wouldn't quite be the same. A straight key normally opposes gravity from the bottom, if you turn that now on it's side, wouldn't it be thrown out of balance?
<<If you're not physically able to use a straight key, you probably will do even worse with a bug.>>
No, I am physically able. Like I said, I WAS going to go with a straight key because I already have a couple. But it was the recent research I was doing on CW that seem to have many people favoring a paddle or bug type key. After seeing that document and having it show me how much more movement you need to operate a straight key, it did get me to rethink the idea of using a straight key to learn on.
<<In these cases I think it's fine to use a computer keyboard.>>
That would kind of kill the ham radio 'experience' for me. The whole point of this project is to experience 'older' forms of communication in the form of morse code and to learn to send it the proper way and not use all these keyer devices or programs. If I were to resort to a computer, then I just may as well stick to what I am doing now...posting in forums on-line.
Thanx,
Geo
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by N3QE on March 25, 2009
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Oh, and don't get too wrapped up in the "iambic myth" theory.
90%+ of the hams you hear on the air using a keyer are using an iambic keyer and don't worry about it one bit. It may not be natural to those who've never done it, but for those who have done it, it is perfectly natural.
Yes, I use an iambic keyer when I'm not using a straight key.
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by JUKINGEO on March 25, 2009
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<<My advice is to start with a straight key. While it is more work than a bug or paddle, and most people can't do more than 25 wpm on a straight key, it will teach you proper spacing and other skills.
Plus you already have one.>>
Ok, this is one of my keys:
http://www.w1tp.com/8280a.jpg
It is a brand new Navy surplus key.
I also have a Bunnell key, but that is in storage. It isn't in as nice shape as the Navy key is.
Geo
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RE: New to CW, what key should I use?
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by JUKINGEO on March 25, 2009
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<<I re-started with a dual paddle, iambic Bencher BY-1 for ~$55 off of eBay. Worked fine. Didn't use the iambic squeeze option at first.
I wonder why your aim is a bug? Although I have never used one on the air, I have "worked" a few to see how the repeating dit feature actually happens. Even though a bug isn't electronic, it uses mechanical parts to make the repeating dits. If you want to learn to form the characters yourself, I'd say stay with the straight key. Otherwise, make it easy on yourself and get an iambic paddle of some sort.>>
Well, one of the reasons I aimed for the bug was because it wasn't electronic and would require a normal two terminal connection. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't an Iambic paddle need something else. I see three terminals on them. Thus this may not be compatible with an older transmitter/transceiver. Since the bug works mechanically and is a standard two terminal key, that is what I homed in on.
<<I can turn off my keyer and use my paddle as a straight key in a side-swiper fashion.>>
I didn't know you can do this. I thought with a paddle you must use some kind of electronic keying circuit.
<< I haven't attempted that on the air, but it shows me how much the keyer works for me. I guess I want to make it as easy as possible for the receiving op to understand what I am trying to send.>>
I do want to learn the proper way and not let an electronic device 'form' anything for me. I will be totally honest with you that considering I am a 'nostalgia' buff, I wasn't considering anything BUT a straight key. BUT when I saw that there is less fatigue and increased speed using a bug or paddle, well, that caught my attention.
Geo
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