RE Learning new ways to send: The primary problem with sending perfect or near-perfect Morse with either hand and/or paddle configuration, even with the latest keyers, is the fact that we all send the dits and dahs, and we always have, when, strangely, they don't really matter. It's the spaces that matter. Get them perfect and the dots and dashes will automatically take care of themselves.
As far back as 1949, A. F. Scotten, W6ZMZ, pointed this out in the October issue of QST. The time quantum in Morse is the dot time [Morse Dot Time or Mdt] and is inversely proportional [in seconds] to the sending speed [WPM]. On the surface there appear to be 3 spaces in Morse: 1 Mdt between code elements, 3 Mdt between letters, and 7 Mdt between words. A little scrutiny reveals that the first one is really two: 1 Mdt key-up followed by 1 Mdt key-down [dits], and 1 Mdt key-up followed by 3 Mdt key-down [dahs]. Old AF even offered a test sentence which he says will demonstrate the problem and solution. “Then after Richard had arrived he and Clarence each kissed beautiful Annabelle and she ceased all resistance because in actual fact she liked it better than ever" Ignoring the fact that this sentence was fairly racy for QST in 1949, the primary feature of it is that, when sent in International Morse, it has no letters with repeating dashes. Why this is important he leaves as an exercise for the student. "Wishes" abound on this list, here's one that should be a snap for the Elecraft Gurus: Create and market an Elecraft Mini-module that has four paddles mounted such that the four fingers of either hand can rest over them, sort of like piano keys. Pressing each paddle down creates one of the four keying sequences above, effectively "sending" the spaces rather than the dots and dashes. Of course you would need a footswitch or something similar to turn the TX on. You then send the space combinations sequentially, and release the footswitch at the end. It should also be trivial to have only 3 paddles and operate them chordally, like the court reporters do on those stenographs. In fact, it would be feasible to do it with just two paddles however one of the combinations would then be "no paddles depressed" which might be a little awkward. I'll gladly assign all patent rights to the ACRMSA [Ambidextrous Chordal Removable Morse Sending Apparatus] to Wayne and Eric if they'll take over production and marketing and make the K3 firmware changes. I suggest three models: "The Prolitarian" [steel black crackle base with plastic paddles]; "The Yuppie" [polished brass base with chrome paddles]; and "The Daddy Warbucks" [gold plated base with natural ivory paddles and a Certificate of Authenticity]. That the key [no pun intended ... OK, maybe] to perfect Morse has been at hand for almost as long as I've been alive and has never overtaken the inferior technique we continue to use is a mystery. A deeper mystery is why AF's brilliant and novel discovery appeared in the Oct and not the Apr 1949 QST. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011 - www.cqp.org On 3/27/2011 4:08 AM, Paul Huff wrote: > People > tell me that the bug is "good copy" but they are being generous and I > still have a ways to go with that. Straight key work is still on my > right > An old dog learning new tricks can be a fun challenge! ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
