Here are my 2 cents worth about new features in the CW
Decoder and elsewhere.
Elecraft has done a good job of selecting features in
my book and I would prefer that their work
implementing these features continue without adding
new things to the list. New things can come after the
original features all work and the known bugs are
killed.
Farnsworth keying is a tool for teaching code to
people trying to build speed. I don't think it is a
good idea for two beginners to try to send Farnsworth
style to each other. My 52 years of hamming indicate
that a beginner should leave the keyboard and the
paddles for later until they can converse at 16 to 20
WPM. I think they should stick to a straight key
until then.
If I hear a station using Farnsworth keying and a
memory keyer to call CQ, I will conclude that they are
a high speed operator who wants to give the slow speed
guys some practice. I will pass them by if I am in
the mood to give a slow speed operator some practice.
If I am looking to work a slow speed operator, I will
use my hand key which I keep plugged in. The K3 has a
very thoughtful feature in that it has two jacks for a
straight key or external keyer and another for a
paddle. I think that is enough and I don't really
want two speed controls.
Any memory keyer can send Farnsworth style by leaving
a word space between characters. If you program it
with a keyboard, you can insert a space with the space
bar between characters. Farnsworth keying is only
useful below about 10 wpm and hopefully you will not
be in that category very long. Practice is the key,
now features on an already feature rich transceiver.
So with that I wish the boys at Elecraft Godspeed in
implementing the features they have already chosen and
with producing the transceiver that I eagerly await.
It has been about 3 weeks since my December 27 orders
and they are still filling the May orders.
So, I will get off my soap box and get back to playing
CW with my TS-850 until March, April or whenever!
73s and good CW to all, Cookie, K5EWJ
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