Ron, Instead of "making your own dashes", for which the timing can become critical, I would suggest you help lobby Wayne to include Ultimatic mode into the Elecraft keyers. It is the only way I can use dual lever paddles - the last paddle closed gets priority - for instance to send a "P", first close the dot paddle, then (keeping the dot paddle closed) close the dash paddle long enough to begin the second dash, then release the dash - the still held closed dot paddle will send the final dot. Much more sensible to me than the alternating dots and dashes of the Iambic modes. Ultimatic mode *can* be used like bug mode if a single lever paddle is used (bugs were/are single lever machines).
As I recall, this was the mode used by the original W9TO keyers, and prevailed until the Curtis chips became available. Frankly, I cannot get used to the "finger keying" required by Iambic modes. I learned on a bug and insist on paddles that have the fingergrips high enough that I can "roll the wrist" -- it is the only way I am comfortable. If I must use Iambic keying, I have to use a single lever paddle which nullifies the Iambic part, and I can once again send CW. A note for the KX1 paddle - I found that was one dual lever paddle that I could use (for some unknown reason), but the KX3 paddle (which is a superb piece of engineering) requires that the user do "finger keying", so it is not of much use to me. 73, Don W3FPR On 6/25/2012 4:59 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote: > I find the KX1 paddle nice to use, but as I said I am *not* picky about the > sort of key I use. > > That said, the "feel" of any paddles I use is actually more important than > the feel of a mechanical key, probably because paddles are operated with the > fingers (instead or rolling one's whole hand on a bug or rocking ones entire > forearm with a straight key). > > My *only* complaint about the KX1 paddles is the same complaint I have about > every Elecraft rig - there's no keyer mode that lets me make my own dashes. > ______________________________________________________________ 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
