On Wed, 26 May 2010 10:57:56 -0500, Rick - NJ0IP / DJ0IP wrote:
>Start with a straight key.
A straight key SHOULD be cheap, but guys selling them will charge you
collectors money for it.
>All cw ops should be able to send with a straight key.
>That way, even in an emergency, you can tap a couple of wires together,
etc.
Maybe.
>Skip the semi automatic bug. It will only delay you from becoming a good
>operator with the electronic keyer.
Agreed.
>Next, choose your paddle.
Up to now, Ive always used a B flat Bencher ***. The going price for a
used one is around $75, but the absolute cheapest way to buy it is by
buying the cheap MFJ keyer that comes attached to a Bencher. Its the same
Bencher, but because MFJ is mighty fine junk, youll get the keyer plus
the paddle for $50. Then you throw the keyer away, because it is MFJ, and
wire the paddle to plug into your rig. :)
Learn to send with it in whatever keyer and keyer mode you like and stick
with it. I learned way before there was squeeze keying, and 40 years
later, my 68 year old brain and fingers cant get into iambic. YMMV.
Ive never played with a Ten Tec paddle or keyer, but it should be
remembered that Al Kahn, K4FW, the founder of Ten Tec, was a REAL CW op (I
worked him once while I was mobile), so Id bet theyre OK.
*** B flat is musician talk for plain vanilla -- its the simple key that
everyone knows.
73,
Jim K9YC
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