Randy,
More info --- Paddles come in two flavors….single lever and Iambic (squeeze key)……the Iambic paddles are more popular ( I think), but if you are not going to use Iambic keying then a single lever paddle will work just fine for you. The Iambic does not have to be used in the squeeze key mode, it can just be like a single lever. Recommendation: if you are just starting out using CW, typically, your WPM receive rate, and therefore, your send WPM rate is toward the slower numbers -- less than 18 WPM. If you are below 18 WPM I would recommend first using a straight key. By doing so you develop a “fist”. Meaning that with a straight key you make it ALL happen. The length of the dits and dahs, the spacing between them, the rhythm/flow of the dits and dahs and element spacing and letter spacing and word spacing, etc. Your hand and brain do it all. By doing so your fine motor skills of your hand will develop into involuntary responses and your ear will pick up on the overall cadence. Using a hand key up to about 18 or 20 wpm is quite doable. Over that, if you do any rag chewing, the paddle/electronic keyer become necessary tools for comfort, as your hand and wrist will become tired hand pumping for long periods at greater than 20 WPM. Plus, if you start out with a straight key and then move to a paddle you will have a straight key for use on Straight Key Night – Dec. 31st/Jan 1st. Just my 2 cents….not that I am the greatest at CW, just like the mode a lot. I just wish I was much better…..that is my brain project for 2016. GL and 73….Rick – W5RH From: Instrument Fixer 35 years exp [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2015 7:39 AM To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]> Cc: Rick Hiller <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [BVARC] best morse code key Randy Do you want to try out Bill's Vibroplex bug for free for a week? I also have in my collection Vibroplex paddles Michael Monsour On Wed, Dec 2, 2015 at 12:36 AM, Rick Hiller via BVARC <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: Randy, A key (straight key)..... or a paddle for an electronic keyer? Straight keys J-38's or Nye Viking with Navy knob used $ 75 + Paddle -- can't beat a Bencher. Good performance used price under $100. Now, if $ is no object-- a Begali or US made N3ZN ( my favorite)... But we're talking $300 + GL ES 73.......W5RH Sent from my eye-do hickey > On Dec 1, 2015, at 11:13 PM, Randy Pugh via BVARC <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: > > Looking for answers especially from the club cw operators.What is the best cw > key for the money?Thanks de AA5OA. > _______________________________________________ > BVARC mailing list > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org _______________________________________________ BVARC mailing list [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
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