Mike Geddes wrote:
When using a paddle key, I have naturally used left (thumb) for dahs
and right for dits, and set my gear up that way.
I know this may be a subjective question . . . but is there a
"standard" for this? Is it purely personal preference?
As at least one other have said, the "standard" arose from the
construction of mechanical bugs ... dits on left. I seem to remember
you could get Vibroplex or McElroy to build you a reversed bug if you
had a *lot* of money. Few did.
Some time ago as a part of an on-going thread, we conducted an informal
survey on this reflector regarding key/bug/paddle use:
The vast majority of hams use a straight key with their dominant hand.
The sample size of those who use bugs was pretty small, but most of the
left-handers and all of the right-handers "bug-ed" right-handed. The
couple of lefties that used their left hand just accepted dits on the
fingers instead of the thumb.
Nearly all northpaws paddled north. About half of the southpaws paddle
north, ostensibly to leave the left hand for writing [I'm in that
group]. Don't know why that wouldn't apply to right-handers as well,
but it seemed that if you are right-handed, you are *really*
right-handed. Maybe because it is a right-handed world and righties
don't have to adapt. Most have dits on the left, regardless of which
hand they like best.
Since radios nowadays generally let you choose [and you can always wire
your paddle as you wish as well], it really comes down to, "Whatever
floats your boat." If someone's paddle is setup backwards for you, you
can just turn it around on the table and put your hand over the top if
you can't find the menu setting on the radio.
Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2007 CQP Oct 6-7
- www.cqp.org
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