Posted: 5/16/2013 5:12:54 PM EDT
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I've been diligent in my studies the last few weeks and I've got a semi decent grasp on the alphabet as long as it is at a sane speed. Instead of just listening to CD's and copying, I would like to begin practicing keying. There seem to be two styles of keys, straight or paddle. What do you guys use, and why? Is one better for a beginner and another better for a more experienced operator?
If possible, I'd like to just not plug it up to my radio for a while and work at my own speed. Seems to me it would help solidify everything to put it into action instead of just copying. I'm still struggling a bit with the numbers and pro-signs. Finally, what is a good one to start off with? I don't need anything fancy, just one that works. Radio is a FT-950 if that matters and I'd like to keep it under $100 for now. If any of you guys would be willing to suffer through some slow speed conversations in the next few weeks I sure would appreciate it. After I get a keyer of course. 
Thanks. |
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I am a 99% CW guy. I use paddles because when you get your speed up that is the only reasonable way to do it.
I use a Begali Magnetic Professional, but that is way too much key for a beginner. It cost me almost $479 I would try and stretch your budget to get a Kent key if I was you. They are damn good and will serve you for a long time. I would love to do some slow speed QSOs with you anytime. Just PM me. And download the book Zen and the Art of Radio Telegraphy. It's a great read. Just ignore the part about getting a straight key first. You only need to learn one way. |
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I'd forget about a straight key, and get a paddle. They come as single lever paddles, or dual lever "iambic" paddles. You can read about the differences, here.
I suspect most here use a dual lever paddle, but I use a single lever. Personal preference, really, but you will hear arguments for each type. Never had a Kent, but they are quite popular, and seem to be a lot key for the money.
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Oh and screw the pro signs. Learn period, question mark and TU BK and you'll be fine.
Numbers are the hardest. Try your hardest not to count dits and dashes. It just makes it harder once you get your speed up. Listen to the rhythm and RELAX a frustrated mind is your biggest hurdle. |
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I would also stay away from anything Vibroplex. They make some lambic keys that are a true crime against humanity. Their bugs are classic, but I wouldn't start on a bug. Benchers are the most prevalent, but their spacing is too wide and they take too much effort to use above 30wpm.
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Quoted:
This.
I would try and stretch your budget to get a Kent key if I was you. They are damn good and will serve you for a long time. My one and only key is a Kent Twin Paddle. At this time I have absolutely no reason to go to something else. Don't own or ever used a straight key. And download the book Zen and the Art of Radio Telegraphy. It's a great read. Just ignore the part about getting a straight key first. You only need to learn one way. Zen was the lesson plan I used to learn code. And yeah, ignore the part about getting a straight key first.
For a keyer box I use the K1EL kit. Used a couple others but this one is a keeper. |
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It's not that bad it becomes something you do with out thinking.
For example earlier, I was texting my wife a few things we needed at the grocery store while working Oman on 20m. Keying with the right, texting with the left. I don't even think about it... Its like typing on a keyboard. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
This.
I would try and stretch your budget to get a Kent key if I was you. They are damn good and will serve you for a long time. My one and only key is a Kent Twin Paddle. At this time I have absolutely no reason to go to something else. Don't own or ever used a straight key. And download the book Zen and the Art of Radio Telegraphy. It's a great read. Just ignore the part about getting a straight key first. You only need to learn one way. Zen was the lesson plan I used to learn code. And yeah, ignore the part about getting a straight key first.
For a keyer box I use the K1EL kit. Used a couple others but this one is a keeper. He can use his FT-950 for a keyer. And to practice, just turn off the "Break In" button. It will allow you to use the keyer without keying the transmitter. At least that's what my FT-2000D allowed me to do. |
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Reading over those links I see that a lot of them use different fingers for dits and dashes. That sounds phenomenally confusing at this point but I can see where it would be good to learn it one way instead of having to switch later. Nah, sounds confusing, but it really isn't. Once you try a paddle, it will be obvious how it works. Easy to use, but it does take practice to become proficient. It would be great if you could find a Ham in your area to demonstrate how they work. |
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I could never send with a straight key
I would also recommend the KENT Iambic paddle ( also sold as the ALPHA-DELTA TP-1 ) R&L, AES, and HRO sell them for about $150 http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=12&products_id=31364&osCsid=k2r9mf17pbr4h1ib9756rqvdn5 If you really want to stay under $100, search QTH, and QRZ for a used bencher BY-1..they go for about $75 they work OK, but they are a rube-goldberg device to adjust. using a paddle is pretty easy with a little practice. 
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I could never send with a straight key I would also recommend the KENT Iambic paddle ( also sold as the ALPHA-DELTA TP-1 ) R&L, AES, and HRO sell them for about $150 http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=12&products_id=31364&osCsid=k2r9mf17pbr4h1ib9756rqvdn5 If you really want to stay under $100, search QTH, and QRZ for a used bencher BY-1..they go for about $75 they work OK, but they are a rube-goldberg device to adjust. using a paddle is pretty easy with a little practice. http://www.hamradio.com/images_manuf/H0-004917A.jpg Does that just plug right into my radio and rock and roll? I found a youtube video of the iambic paddle and it doesn't actually seem so bad at all. |
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It should plug right into your FT-950
there are two common plugs, the 1/4" stereo, and 1/8" stereo tip, ring, and sleeve. 
sleeve ( back end) is ground, you can make the tip and ring dits and dahs, or dahs and dits radio shack has what you need, including 1/4" to 1/8" adapters, and vis versa I forget what the KENT ships with |
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I could never send with a straight key I would also recommend the KENT Iambic paddle ( also sold as the ALPHA-DELTA TP-1 ) R&L, AES, and HRO sell them for about $150 http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=12&products_id=31364&osCsid=k2r9mf17pbr4h1ib9756rqvdn5 If you really want to stay under $100, search QTH, and QRZ for a used bencher BY-1..they go for about $75 they work OK, but they are a rube-goldberg device to adjust. using a paddle is pretty easy with a little practice. http://www.hamradio.com/images_manuf/H0-004917A.jpg Does that just plug right into my radio and rock and roll? I found a youtube video of the iambic paddle and it doesn't actually seem so bad at all. You will need the "plug". A 1/8" to 1/4" headphone style plug is what is necessary. I am not sure if one is supplied. But that is all you need. Then you will have to set up the keyer in your rig. You will have to put it where the - is on the Right and the . is on the left. It should be the default. There are some other tweeks that are not necessary light rinse time and weight. Don't worry about those at the moment. It is really simple once you have everything set up. Speed should be a knob on the left side of the rig. ETA, I am an idiot, and tired I fixed it. 
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The American Morse Equipment Porta-Paddle is a cute little bugger. Be sure to get the paddle base if you get this one. |
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for some strange reason, I write left handed.
I do most everything else right handed. When I learned in 1993, I set mine up for my right hand. I made my index finger dits, and my thumb dahs this works for me, because I can keep a pencil in my left hand and run the paddle with my right. I've been told, by old timers, I should have made my thumb dits and my index finger dah's, but it's too late to change, and it works for me. I'm curious how other guys are set up ? |
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for some strange reason, I write left handed. I do most everything else right handed. When I learned in 1993, I set mine up for my right hand. I made my index finger dits, and my thumb dahs this works for me, because I can keep a pencil in my left hand and run the paddle with my right. I've been told, by old timers, I should have made my thumb dits and my index finger dah's, but it's too late to change, and it works for me. .. I'm curious how other guys are set up ? I am a lefty, but I use my right for CW. Dits on the left dahs on the Right. Or he could get a coodie key and do both... |
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I am a 99% CW guy. I use paddles because when you get your speed up that is the only reasonable way to do it. I use a Begali Magnetic Professional, but that is way too much key for a beginner. It cost me almost $479 I would try and stretch your budget to get a Kent key if I was you. They are damn good and will serve you for a long time. I would love to do some slow speed QSOs with you anytime. Just PM me. And download the book Zen and the Art of Radio Telegraphy. It's a great read. Just ignore the part about getting a straight key first. You only need to learn one way. The YL whose father designs Bengali's who is at Dayton is a solid 9-10  Her Italian accent puts it over the top
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I am a 99% CW guy. I use paddles because when you get your speed up that is the only reasonable way to do it. I use a Begali Magnetic Professional, but that is way too much key for a beginner. It cost me almost $479 I would try and stretch your budget to get a Kent key if I was you. They are damn good and will serve you for a long time. I would love to do some slow speed QSOs with you anytime. Just PM me. And download the book Zen and the Art of Radio Telegraphy. It's a great read. Just ignore the part about getting a straight key first. You only need to learn one way. The YL whose father designs Bengali's who is at Dayton is a solid 9-10 Her Italian accent puts it over the top Her name is Bruna Begali. She is sweet and mildly HOT. I have her email address I can give out if the price is right. I'll look for a pic. |
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I'm right handed. I set my key up with the dahs on the thumb and the dits on the index finger. Backwards from tradition. Tried it the traditional way and just couldn't get the flow I wanted. Swapped a couple wires around and my speed and accuracy went up. Stayed with it.
-snip- I made my index finger dits, and my thumb dahs -snip- I've been told, by old timers, I should have made my thumb dits and my index finger dah's, but it's too late to change, and it works for me. I'm curious how other guys are set up ? |
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for some strange reason, I write left handed. I do most everything else right handed. When I learned in 1993, I set mine up for my right hand. I made my index finger dits, and my thumb dahs this works for me, because I can keep a pencil in my left hand and run the paddle with my right. I've been told, by old timers, I should have made my thumb dits and my index finger dah's, but it's too late to change, and it works for me. I'm curious how other guys are set up ? I hadn't even thought of that yet. I write with my right hand so I guess I will have to key with my left, which is going to be backwards. There are a few other prepping details that are of higher priority than a keyer at the moment, but I will just wait and get a Kent. |
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What part of VA? I'm at about the same level in learning the code, it would be cool to get a practice buddy that could work some 2m cw.
So .- is the traditional way to set up the paddle? (I'm also a mixed up lefty do everything righty except write and swing sticks ie batting, hockey stick, golf club etc. hammer mostly righty though lol) |
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What part of VA? I'm at about the same level in learning the code, it would be cool to get a practice buddy that could work some 2m cw. So .- is the traditional way to set up the paddle? (I'm also a mixed up lefty do everything righty except write and swing sticks ie batting, hockey stick, golf club etc. hammer mostly righty though lol) I'm in the Lynchburg area, what about you? |
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Tradition says dits with the thumb, and dahs with the index finger. That's the way I do it, but try it both ways and see which you like best. The correct way, is whatever works best for you.
I'm right handed. I write with my right hand, and send code with my right hand. It would be cool if I could send code with my left hand, but I'm too lazy to learn to do that ( but I can switch hit in baseball, if necessary  ) .
I do part with tradition a little, because I don't use my thumb and index finger on the paddle. I use my thumb and middle (bird) finger.
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What part of VA? I'm at about the same level in learning the code, it would be cool to get a practice buddy that could work some 2m cw. So .- is the traditional way to set up the paddle? (I'm also a mixed up lefty do everything righty except write and swing sticks ie batting, hockey stick, golf club etc. hammer mostly righty though lol) I'm in the Lynchburg area, what about you? Same. We should attempt to send some code at each other 
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I'm right handed all the way. I key with the right. There are those that can key weak hand and write strong hand but I'm not one of them and never will be. BTW: I'm left eye dominate so a roll of scotch tape is in the range bag to cover the left lens of the shooting glasses when I'm shooting long guns.
I hadn't even thought of that yet. I write with my right hand so I guess I will have to key with my left, which is going to be backwards. When copying most of the time I just have a instance of Notepad up and type it in. Faster than my scribbling on paper. If you haven't figured it out by now there is no right or wrong way to practice the art of morse code. Figure out what works for you and practice that. |
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Was having a chat on 40m last night with an Englishman. He said lately he has been buying nice paper and a fountain pen and trying to write things down neatly and precisely. He said it is therapeutic to him since he bangs on a keyboard all day.
I almost 99% of the time head copy unless its field day or a contest. But that sounds like a lot of fun. We were sending about 20wpm so writing it down wasn't a challenge. I think I'll send him a pen a friend of mine made. I can't get into nice writing instruments. My 7 year old son writes better than I do. |