Do you want to use an iambic key or do you want to do CW? Believe it or not, you can do a lot of CW without an iambic key. In fact, I've been using my straight key more than the paddles and have no plans to change.
My CW speed tops out at around 20 wpm. I prefer 15 - 18 wpm for most QSOs. At those speeds, I used to always use the paddles. These days, I'm on the straight key and it is more fun. Now I'm the one making the CW, not some DIP in a box. I used to think a straight key was for speeds below 8 wpm but now I see I was wrong. Having a good straight key and having it correctly adjusted sure helps too. Of course during contests, speeds are higher and I'm on the Kent paddles for that but I'm finding my interest in DXing and contesting is weakening as my interest in simple CW QSOs increases. If you really want to do the Iambic dance, I'd say start slow and work up. Learn to control the beast when it is moving slowly. Iambic keying is an indirect timing activity. With a straight key, your timing determines the length and spacing of the elements. It is very direct. With the paddles you only control when the little keyer makes dots & dashes for you and often you're giving it commands (switch closures) before you want the actual element to sound. It is a different mind set and indeed takes some practice. Start slow and practice it right. Work on accuracy and good spacing. Speed will come in time. Give your body time to learn the motions. With paddles, a light touch is all that is needed. You don't have to slap it around. Also, do some reading. For instance I assume you know that if you squeeze both paddles you get alternating dots & dashes? Also I assume you know that if you press the dot key during a dash, the keyer will insert it at the end of that dash. If this is news to you, do some reading to learn what Iambic is & how it works. - Keith KD1E - - K2 5411 - -----Original Message----- From: William Moore So, before I condescend to selling my Bencher BY-2, retiring the J-38 for life and start building the K2 SSB board, the 100 watt amp and permanently retiring up-band, can someone give me some advice on possibly mastering the Iambic key. _______________________________________________ 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
