I agree that a hand key is a good start, but if you start with a hand
key, do try to set it up correctly. If the spring tension requires
you to jump up and down to close the key, then its going to tire you
out very fast. A very wide gap is also unhelpful; you want the key to
be comfortable to use. Also the code will sound weird from unusual
settings. Aim to sound exactly like you are using a tape machine to
send code ... when they ask for details of your "keyer" you will know
you have made it !!
Speed is definitely not everything. 30 wpm of uneven, irregular
garbage is unwelcome. 15 wpm of nice even sending is fine ... speed
comes with practice, but only if you learn to send properly at
relatively slow speeds. I used an ex-Army straight key for years and
in those days I could manage 20 wpm comfortably. Now I use a
solid state keyer from QST many years ago; it has autospace,
independant control of weight and speed, and that loathsome "iambic"
mode can be turned off.
Final tip; if the hand key is on the same desk as the rig, you MAY
get mechanical feedback which makes your CW sound very clonky, or
even chirpy. I can think of a number of well-known hams who have this
effect; you can almost feel the desk vibrating as they pound away on
the key. Why do they do this ?? Well, in some cases I suspect that it
is actually deliberate - it makes their signals stand out in a
pile-up !!! But it sounds terrible to their neighbours.
I used a piece of foam back carpet under the key base to keep it
quiet. You could monitor some of those army keys just by listening to
the clicks ..
John G3JAG FISTS 6036
> To: tentec@contesting.com <tentec@contesting.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Date: Thursday, April 15, 1999 11:43 AM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Operating CW
>
>
>>
>>In a message dated 4/15/99 11:29:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
>>supton@eece.maine.edu writes:
>>
>><< Anyhow, how do most people do CW? I've seen
>> stuff for keyers, paddles, and the like; I'm wondering, what does
>> most
>> people use to do CW? >>
>>
>>Hi Shawn,
>>the first priority is to get the speed up, the best way to do that,
>>is to
> do
>>some code practice and listen lot on the bands, you will get used
>>to
>>interference, learn tuning techniques and TRAIN your ears. At this
>>point
>>don't worry about sending and speed, that comes automatically.
>>Good practice is listen to contest operations, way to learn good
>>operating
>>and get some speed. Or you can "chew the rag" - carry on
>>conversations on
> CW.
>>For sending, the choice is between the keyboard and paddles. If
>>your touch
>>typist, go for keyboard, it doesn't hurt to know the padlle, even
>>hand key.
>>You never know what gives and it is good to know how to operate the
>>other
>>stuff.
>>
>>Good luck!
>>Yuri K3BU
>>
>>--
>>FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
>>Submissions: tentec@contesting.com
>>Administrative requests: tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
>>Problems: owner-tentec@contesting.com
>>Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
>>
>
>
> --
> FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
> Submissions: tentec@contesting.com
> Administrative requests: tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems: owner-tentec@contesting.com
> Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
----------------------------------
E-Mail: patents@dx0man.prestel.co.uk
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: 15-Apr-99
Time: 21:47:57
COPYRIGHT means don't copy .....
----------------------------------
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
Submissions: tentec@contesting.com
Administrative requests: tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-tentec@contesting.com
Search: http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm
|