To answer your question, after 20 years of using a straight key and bug, I built a discrete-component CMOS iambic keyer in the 1970's.
I did start out slow but speed came quickly, IIRC, as my fingers learned the correct pattern of movements for each character. But I had to do the same thing when I learned to use a bug in the 1950's. Knowing Morse doesn't mean one's body knows how to operate a particular key to generate it. That takes practice. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the iambic keyer built into the K2 and K3 was as comfortable to use as my old homebrew keyer. Unfortunately, I found that I could -not- use a bug and the iambic keyer (in iambic mode) interchangeably. My "muscle memory" was too strong and I found myself squeezing the bug paddle. Also my timing on the bug was lousy since the keyer did all the timing and spacing for me. So, after about 25 years on the iambic keyer, my bug won out after another re-training period -- at least as long as I enjoy sending CW with it. However, I have gone back to the iambic keyer from time to time to load CW memories, etc., and iambic fingering comes back in a few seconds. But I enjoy learning physical skills like that. It's part of the fun of Ham radio for me. Otherwise I'd not have bothered switching to an iambic keyer and then back to the bug. I don't think I'm part of a silent "majority". Most likely I'm part of a substantial "minority" - either on an iambic keyer or on a bug. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- 3. How many operators can truly say that they make use of iambic features? Could a poll be conducted? I think to learn iambic, one would have to start using it at very slow speeds to begin with, and unless one did this at the start of one's ham career, who goes back to slow speeds just to learn iambic? Silent majority? 73, Erik K7TV ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
