I eat twinkies seldomly. Twin keys usually have two keys on them. One is a
pump and the other is a single lever paddle. If you have a single lever
paddle of any kind, it will be impossible to ever send iambic.
Mode A is a tool of the devil and should be cast hence. If you can do Mode
A, keep it to yourself.
Mode B is what its all about. Single or twin lever (some call them iambic
paddles) you cant go wrong. Dont confuse iambic keying with iambic paddles.
Paddles are paddles. Its the electronic keying that vary from maker to
maker. Some are easier to do than others. Try as many as you can lay hands
on to find the one that's most enjoyable.
Many rigs now have the A/B choice. Some dont like their rig's keyer so they
use outboard keyers.
There are memory keyers and there are keyers that just key.
Memory keyers have the additional capability of storing messages in them for
use by pressing a button to insert the memorized cw wherever you determine
you want it. You must first organize these according to taste.
Over the years makers of keyers used first tubes, then ttl, and finally cmos
logic with which to make our music. There may be others but these were the
vast majority.
The straight key and the bug are both non electronic and hence are the
subject of most fond recollections. Iambic was used as a buzz word to imply
better, easier, faster and new. Many bought what they thought was iambic
only to be dissappointed and have long since abandoned all hope of automatic
keying. Many hams persisted until the makers of the electronics got what
most people wanted out there and it was Mode B.
CW lovers must forge ahead and purchase whichever instruments suit them and
spread the gospel of cookie cutter qso dom. Ragchewing is the goal. Copying
in your head, by hand, by typing, by computer, by golly. Its not just CW,
its basic radio communication. The very first oldie but goodie, the
predecessor to rock and roll.
The dit and dah. Railroad jazz. For the youngsters amongst us just remember
this:
It cant be broken if its already broke. But you can fix it so it cant be
fixed.
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