Al, There are no 'right' answers, but being an 'old timer', I would suggest that you start with a straight key long enough to acquire a feeling for proper character formation and spacing. After that, I would suggest going to an iambic keyer - skip the non-iambic initially (since you already have a trained response for proper character formation and spacing from the straight key exercise). Then if you have extreme difficulty with the iambic keying, drop down to the non-iambic with a single lever paddle. (A single lever paddle instantly turns an iambic keyer into a non-iambic keyer).
Just my personal opinion here based on the predominance of the iambic keyers available today. I learned on a straight key, and migrated to a bug and then an ACCU-KEYER, but because of my old bug habits, I have always had problems with iambic keyers. If you learn the iambic technique before acquiring other habits, you will be further ahead than the point at which I am stuck (and likely will never extract myself). 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > I have completed K2 # 4670 - thanks for the help. > > I can now listen to W1AW code and work on getting on the air after I pass > the Element 1 and General. > > But, what is the best key to start with - straight, iambic, > non-iambic? or > what. So many choices and I need advice. > > Thanks in advance. > > 73, > Al > > KI4HRN > Allan Bacon > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
