FW: [Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?

[Dan Barker]

I second the nay to the "a logic design error in an early (1960s) electronic
keyer" comment.

I had a Heathkit keyer on which I learned iambic, and it was all discrete
logic gates and RC circuits. No ICs. It did exactly what the schematic said
it would do. No error there. It has to have been mode-B, because I never
could make mode-A work, and mode-B seems very natural.

Before I knew to turn my K2 to mode-B, I was certain there was something
wrong with it, cause I couldn't send ANYTHING right.

Sorry I don't remember the model number (I sold it right after I got my K2
on eBay), nor have the schematics, but I built the thing, used it for 25
years, and know it was just a box of 74xx gates.

Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456


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FW: [Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?

[Dan Barker]

Admittedly, I have an $80 Straight Key and some $80 paddles, but the SK
needn't be fancy to go from zip to 10 WPM. You should be able to find
something (my first one was $4.95 at Radio Shack, but that was a few years
ago - Currently, it's a chrome-plated Bencher straight key).

Can you save the $80 from MFJ and get CWGET (Free)? It requires a computer
or laptop, but will read what you send if it's any good at all. That should
free up the bucks for the paddles after you get your feet wet making the
elements with the J38.

A quick Google "straight key price" shows lots under $20.

Dan

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 3:56 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] start with straight key or paddles?


Comrades,
I'm working on my code to get my licenses soon.  I will want to do CW with
the k2 I will buy and build on board our trawler.  1st mate and CFO watches
expenses like a hawk and will catch me if I (gasp) buy two things which
appear to do same thing. You can't hide much from her on the 36 boat we live
on. I intend to get the $80 MFJ code reader because some of you have
convinced me that it is a good detector of unreadable output.  I'm hoping to
get my speed and accuracy up by sending to the MFJ.

If I ultimately intend to use paddles as most of you appear to be doing, why
is it a bad idea simply to start with a set?  I can understand that what I'm
really wanting to do is to train my "fist" and ears, but it looks like
paddles involve somewhat different monkey motions and maybe it would make
more sense just to buy a set and get on with it.

comments?

regards,  John Ferguson - M/V Arcadian (now in Norfolk,VA waiting for wave
amplitude reduction in Chesapeake Bay before continuing northward)


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