Any key will do as long as you use it. Reduced CW receiving speed generally has little to to do with the key. It does have a lot to do with having CW QSO's.
Alternatively, skip the straight key and go straight to a bug or keyer. Now I'm going to contradict the above. Unlike conventional wisdom, my CW speed as a novice went up through the Extra class level by practicing sending. Take a page from anywhere and keep sending it as fast as possible. Time how long it takes. Easy to keep track of progress. Receiving pace seemed to track with increased sending speed. Good thing about this is that one doesn't even need a key. I used to tap on my knee during high school classes--sending what was on the chalkboard. At least it kept me awake during History class. 73 de Brian/K3KO On 6/25/2012 14:02, Phil Hystad wrote: > I have two Begali keys, the camelback straight key and the magnetic classic. > Both are excellent and I use the magnetic classic all the time. But, I also > have a Bencher in the truck and I see no problems with it. It is fine for > the truck. Besides, it gets dropped on the floor or sometimes I even toss it > into the back seat and the key paddles get all cockeyed and so when I use it > again I have to spent about 5 seconds (no longer) straightening things out > then the key is as good as new -- no other adjustment necessary. So, in my > opinion, the Bencher is a fine key. > > I think the most overrated key is the J-38. I see people praising it here > and I don't get it. Sure, it is an old classic and I had one in my novice > days back in the 1960s but it is a rather ordinary key that needs extra > weight to keep it in one place. Back when I used it, I did not have extra > weight so keying was a two handed job for me. My right hand for Morse and my > left hand to hold the J-38 on the table. > > 73, phil, K7PEH > > > On Jun 25, 2012, at 4:44 AM, Barry wrote: > >> Depends on your budget. IMO, the best are N3ZN and Begali. In my >> experience, Bencher is one of the worst. >> >> Barry W2UP >> >> >> Ronald Nutter wrote >>> >>> The next thing I am looking at is getting a CW key. >>> >>> Would appreciate any suggestions in this area that anyone here has. >>> >>> Thanks, >>> Ron >>> KA4KYI >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@.qth >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> >> >> >> -- >> View this message in context: >> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-just-goes-off-tp7558040p7558109.html >> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.2178 / Virus Database: 2437/5092 - Release Date: 06/25/12 > > ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2178 / Virus Database: 2437/5092 - Release Date: 06/25/12 ______________________________________________________________ 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
