Mike and all, I have given up on the internal rig keyers already. I have finally assembled my K1EL K12 keyer that I hope will solve my problems - and it is small enough that I can carry it with me to key any transceiver no matter what the transceiver manufacturer thinks is the 'best'. Certainly solves MY problem ... others can go on discussing the pros and cons, but I will be able to become acoustomed to my keyer characteristics and will not have to work around the subtle timing differences of the various internal keyers. YMMV.
73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > Don wrote: > > >The fact that mode B can send a dit just by holding the dah paddle a bit > >longer has always boggled my mind - if I want a dit, I feel I > should tap the > >dit paddle!!! Mode B can drive me nuts. > > Tom wrote: > > >> When I let go of the paddle I want the dit or dah that I am > hearing to be > >> the last thing sent...Mode A. > > The only thing that really matters is what you *learned* on. > There's no speed advantage or reduction in paddle manipulation > advantage in one mode or the other. > > Mode B timing IS much more critical than mode A because if you > hold the dit paddle just a tiny little bit too long in an iambic > dah-dit string, you'll get an unwanted dah, and if you hold the > dah paddle just a tiny little bit too long in an iambic dit-dah > string, you'll get an unwanted dit. > > With mode A, you only get a dit or dah if you've pushed the dit > or dah paddle for it. To me, that just seems the logical way for > a keyer to work. Given that there is no discernable advantage to > mode B, why anyone would want a keyer to send a character element > for which no paddle was depressed has always baffled me. > Historically, mode B arose from a logic flaw in an early > electronic keyer that eventually got advertised as a "feature." > > But...If one is just learning iambic keying, I would recommend > learning mode B rather than mode A. Some ham rig manufacturers > don't give you the option of choosing the logical system, and > provide mode B only (like Yaesu and Small Wonder Labs). My SWL > DSW units gave me fits because they had only mode B keying (until > Jackson Harbor produced a full-featured keyer with mode A option > as a replacement for the stock PIC in the DSW). > > As much as I love my K1, I'd never buy one if Elecraft had not > supplied a mode A keyer option. Yes, it's *that* important! > > Mike / KK5F > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
