From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.morse

Good morning,

I have recently decided to get back into CW after a loooong layoff. When I first studied CW to upgrade my ticket, I remember using an old Navy "flameproof" key on 80 meters. Became just proficint enough to pass the 13 wpm, but I had a blast and made so many new friends. I stopped sending over time and all but forgot the code.

Now that my interest has been renewed, I purchased a Becher paddle and an Idiom Press CMOS-4. Although I did not realize it at the time, my 746PRO
has a built-in keyer, so I'm not sure if I should use it or the CMOS-4.

Here's my dilemna...I am having such a hard time with the paddles that I am thinking about purchasing a straight key. My logic is to use the straight
key to re-learn CW and then, once that's accomplished, try the paddles
again.

PLEASE point out any fault with this logic and, if you would, please make a recommendation for a good straight key.

Thank you for your time.

John, KB2COP, FIST #11436
thecop@optonline.net


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From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.morse


"John , why not slow the paddle down, in the software/menu to a speed you
can easily handle. Put you dummy load on the ant, come out of vox, then practice on your own till you feel happy!


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From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.morse

"John Schneider" <thecop@optonline.net> writes:

Good morning,

I have recently decided to get back into CW after a loooong layoff. When I
first studied CW to upgrade my ticket, I remember using an old Navy >"flameproof" key on 80 meters. Became just proficint enough to pass the 13 >wpm, but I had a blast and made so many new friends. I stopped sending over >time and all but forgot the code.

Now that my interest has been renewed, I purchased a Becher paddle and an >Idiom Press CMOS-4. Although I did not realize it at the time, my 746PRO >has a built-in keyer, so I'm not sure if I should use it or the CMOS-4.

Here's my dilemna...I am having such a hard time with the paddles that I am >thinking about purchasing a straight key. My logic is to use the straight >key to re-learn CW and then, once that's accomplished, try the paddles >again.

PLEASE point out any fault with this logic and, if you would, please make a >recommendation for a good straight key.

Thank you for your time.

John, KB2COP, FIST #11436
thecop@optonline.net

John,

I have the Brown Bros. model CTL key/paddle combo. I bought it new back
in the early 70s for $22.95. Now they are going for a tad more. The
straight key in this pkg is wonderful, IMHO. It has a solid feel with
many incremental adjustments to taylor it to your fist. Next to the
straight key is the dual paddle. Another work of art. Having both the
straight key and paddle on the same base is nice for trading off your
fist for the keyer in an easy shift of the wrist. I would go for the CTL
but of course I love mine. BTW, they did make a straight key only
version too. I don't have my vintage catalog in front of me or I could
tell you the model to hunt for. Possibly someone else can help.

Cheers,

-Jim
WB0ACA
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From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.morse

Here's my dilemna...I am having such a hard time with the paddles that I

am

thinking about purchasing a straight key. My logic is to use the straight key to re-learn CW and then, once that's accomplished, try the paddles
again.

Before you give up on the paddles, see the very nice tutorial at www.k7qo.net/sending.pdf

73 de W3GERry


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From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.morse

Hello John,

Don't give up to soon, but this might be a good hint I got from another CW-nerd. Being righthanded use your straight key with your right hand
and start using the paddle with your left hand. It will be much easier
to swith then between straight key and paddle. Another advantage: you
can stil hold your pencil in your writinh hand without the need to put
it down constantly, very convenient during a contest.

55 + 73 de Erik
John Schneider schreef:

Good morning,

I have recently decided to get back into CW after a loooong layoff. When I first studied CW to upgrade my ticket, I remember using an old Navy "flameproof" key on 80 meters. Became just proficint enough to pass the 13 wpm, but I had a blast and made so many new friends. I stopped sending over time and all but forgot the code.

Now that my interest has been renewed, I purchased a Becher paddle and an Idiom Press CMOS-4. Although I did not realize it at the time, my 746PRO has a built-in keyer, so I'm not sure if I should use it or the CMOS-4.

Here's my dilemna...I am having such a hard time with the paddles that I am thinking about purchasing a straight key. My logic is to use the straight key to re-learn CW and then, once that's accomplished, try the paddles again.

PLEASE point out any fault with this logic and, if you would, please make a recommendation for a good straight key.

Thank you for your time.

John, KB2COP, FIST #11436
thecop@optonline.net

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From Newsgroup: alt.ham-radio.morse

Your mistake is the Bencher key although a good key ,not great for your purposes there are many a good key out there but a magnetic action may be better ask around your cw chums a borrow several keys to try before spendind your hard earned cash keys especially paddle keys have come along way in the past few years ,but not all keys suit the individual needs of the operator , the alternative is to adjust the spacind with the key provided and the
spring tension untill you feel comfortable with your setting .
hope this helps
de Tony(m0pkd)
"John Schneider" <thecop@optonline.net> wrote in message news:i5_Bf.577$wv1.461@fe10.lga...

Good morning,

I have recently decided to get back into CW after a loooong layoff. When
I first studied CW to upgrade my ticket, I remember using an old Navy "flameproof" key on 80 meters. Became just proficint enough to pass the
13 wpm, but I had a blast and made so many new friends. I stopped sending over time and all but forgot the code.

Now that my interest has been renewed, I purchased a Becher paddle and an Idiom Press CMOS-4. Although I did not realize it at the time, my 746PRO has a built-in keyer, so I'm not sure if I should use it or the CMOS-4.

Here's my dilemna...I am having such a hard time with the paddles that I
am thinking about purchasing a straight key. My logic is to use the straight key to re-learn CW and then, once that's accomplished, try the paddles again.

PLEASE point out any fault with this logic and, if you would, please make
a recommendation for a good straight key.

Thank you for your time.

John, KB2COP, FIST #11436
thecop@optonline.net

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