Hey Ron, I don't know if I'd like a bug mode for an iambic paddle. MFJ has such a thing built into at least some of their keyer models, and it feels weird to me.
That said, I absolutely love using a bug. I just got, about a month ago, an Electro bug, circa 1930. Got it off eBay, and it's in beautiful shape and sends very nice code. All the extra dits are all mine, but after several weeks of use, I find fewer and fewer of those, and think I finally have the thing adjusted to comfortable use that I can make sound pretty decent. I also have a sideswiper, and yes, it really is harder than it sounds to get good code out of it. I definitely send faster with a standard straight key than with a sideswiper. No question. It's definitely a skill that will take some time to master, at least it has been for me. Lots of fun with the bug, though. Now maybe us oddballs can get a single lever paddle for the KX3? Eh? Heck, this Electro bug weighs probably three KX3's! Not great for portable ops, and that's a fact. -- Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY On Jan 10, 2012, at 6:11 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > Way back when the K2 was still a new product, I asked for a "bug mode" in > which the dit part of the keyer worked normally (but without the dit memory) > and the dash side required the operator to press the paddle for each dash, > just as one does on a bug. > > I use a bug most of the time, and if I switch to the keyer for more than a > few minutes, it really interferes with my spacing on dashes when I return to > the bug. So I wanted a mode that worked just like a bug. > > In spite of frequent discussions, the idea never got any traction. That's > what happens to us "oddballs" who operate differently from the mainstream. > It's just not worth the time and money to develop the code for us. > > So, when necessary, I use the keyer and simply tap the dash paddle for each > dash as if it was a bug. The only irritation doing that is that I can't use > the customary long dash for zero. If I'm not careful I send two dashes on the > keyer, Hi! > > Like Peter I don't think I'll tackle a sideswiper. A straight key and bug are > enough for me. I got very comfortable with an iambic keyer but quit because I > enjoyed the challenge of using a bug properly even more. I bet the sideswiper > gang feel the same way about their keys. > > 73, Ron AC7AC > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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
