Re: [DX-CHAT] vibroplex key

[Les Kalmus]

My Vibroplex has the dit on the thumb and the dahs on the pointer finger and so did another bug I once used. Les Fred Stevens K2FRD wrote: Norm, you bring up a possibility I never before considered. It IS possible I was imprinted with a reverse dit-dah on my Vibroplex. I had always presumed pointer finger for dahs, thumb for dits was "normal" and since these many years I never used any other bug than my own, I've had no experience otherwise. I don't have my bug with me right now to determine if I know what I'm talking about but 47+ years of habit is difficult to overcome. Same/same paddle when I used one: I just wired it up for right paddle dah, left paddle dit. Am I getting a revelation that after all these years, this is contrary to standard practice? Arthritis-wise, I have severe arthritis in both hands (and many other body parts) which is why it's easier for me these days to use a straight key. However, my major problem with CW is writing down the message - my fingers just won't sustain more than a couple minutes of writing down callsigns and my grey cells also don't work so well on memory retention. Alas, growing old requires adaptations so I've grown quite comfortable with a straight key albeit I still have the writing problem although I'm working on computer keyboard stuff to record messages/callsigns/QTHs. In any instance, CW rules the airwaves no matter from which direction the dits and dahs come. 73 de Fred K2FRD At 2:28 PM -0400 19/5/08, Norm Gertz wrote: Fred......it appears that you obtained a bug which was configured for a left hand sender. Even today the electronic keyers almost all are reversable for dots and dashes for the same reason. My very old friend W4GK (sk) recognizing the signs of arthritis in his right hand started practicing with his left hand. He never told anyone about it and made the transition quite easily. 73 Norm K1AA Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org