Ron, since I learnt CW in Sweden many years ago, I am very comfortable transmitting without having the forearm on the table. In fact, I have used that method during all my years in the US until recently. The key to the method (pls forgive pun) is to mount the key on a platform under the table so that the upper arm can hang straight down and the forearm is in a horizontal position when holding the key knob. This is a very relaxed position. The type of key was (you guessed it) the Swedish type. The amount of stiffness in the wrist needs to be just right, so that when the arm presses down on the key, the hand moves a little upwards relative to the arm, providing some spring cushioning action. Only after I had hit my knee too many times on the key mounted under the table, and realizing that I was using paddles rather than a straight key all the time, did I recently remove that key and replaced it with a J-38 on the table. It took me a while to get the hang of it, and I still think my fist is better with the old method.
BTW, when I first started using paddles, I had the dashes on the thumb and just couldn't learn it. Maybe I should have tried rolling the arm. When I switched to dits on the thumb I suddenly found sending easy. Never having tried a bug, I move only fingers, and with very small gaps. I would be interested to learn exactly how the super high speed types use the whole arm. 73, Erik K7TV ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Very interesting Barry. I'm not a high speed operator (my best is 35 wpm) and 99% of my operating is 15 to 25 wpm. I also use my whole arm, rolling it side to side to operate the paddles and find it very comfortable at those speeds for very long periods at the key. Indeed, many of the guys working at commercial stations used the same technique for entire work shifts sending long messages. I'm aware that many non-US operators do *not* rest their forearm on the table. I can see how moving one's whole arm would be extremely tiring doing that. Indeed, I can't picture using a straight key that way, much less paddles. You didn't note whether that was what the guys like EU1KI do. When I moved onto an Iambic keyer, I kept the same motion rolling my forearm resting on the table top. I have never used very tight spacing with tiny movements of thumb and fingers. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of us old "bug" operators do the same. Also, I kept the standard orientation of dashes with thumb, dits with index finger. Been pounding brass that way for >60 years now. My point is that the rarified world of 50 wpm and above obviously has its special demands on the operator, but few of us actually "live" there. 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
