Commercial operator Denice Stoops, KI6BBR, who has the distinction of
sending the final broadcast from San Francisco Radio [KPH] when
commercial CW shut down did so using a Vibroplex bug. Her technique was
a rolling motion of her forearm with little if any independent finger
movement. She made zero misteaks. It's the technique I remember other
commercial ops using in the 50's, and it's a technique I never learned.
I think it's a lot like how you hold a pencil when writing, Whatever
floats your boat.
In this time of seclusion, and running out of stuff to watch on the DVR,
we watched a Titanic program on the Smithsonian channel on Netflix. It
turned out to be fairly superficial [I expected better from the
Smithsonian], and did not do credit to the role wireless played in the
disaster [the CW was from a code oscillator and did not sound like the 5
KW synchronous spark TX in the other room]. Jack Phillips was depicted
sending with one finger on a somewhat J-38ish looking key and sending
Continental code while working Cape Race. If memory serves me [often
doesn't these days], ships in that era used American Morse with North
American stations. Again ... whatever works for you.
73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County
On 3/28/2020 3:47 PM, Jim Danehy wrote:
Well I have been sending CW for 70 years now. I am not the most accomplished
Morse operator you will copy. But I wonder why someone would think it is
improper procedure to move your wrist ? I have watched musicians play guitars
and bass instruments. They all move their wrists. I am not a musician myself.
But when I do send Morse I get into a rhythm like musicians do. With 70 years
of experience I have evolved into a competent operator.
Many years ago my XYL told me that I also send Morse with my vocal cords when
i send CW. She noted that when serving me food during my contesting. She was
correct. My speed might be higher than the average Morse operator. I started
with a straight key in 1950. Went to a Vibroplex bug in 1954. Up Graded to an
electronic keyer in 1966. During that 16 year period I always moved my wrist. I
probably own two dozen keys and paddles. I don’t get over 35 wpm very often.
But if I find that rare operator who can copy QRQ I can crank it up. I can send
with either hand too. The one thing I do is not think about what I am doing. It
is all reflexes. I am a member of several CW oriented clubs. The German High
Speed operators are excellent users of Morse. Google that organization.
To say that moving your wrist is incorrect procedure might appeal to some. Not
me. By the way I decided years ago to put a paddle on the floor and use my
foot. Really! That allowed me to use both hands. I have not done that for some
years. I think I can still do that. using your feet: LF operating. In my case
it was RF (right foot). That was just a challenge. It did take some practice.
I sure beats some of these current modes which do not require any operator
skill.
73
Jim
W9VNE/VA3VNE
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