[TenTec] wither CW

[Richards]

Serious Question Dept.
_______________________

What should a new operator start out with?  Some adamantly recommend a 
straight key  (e.g. our friend Dan Romanchick KB6NU) and others 
recommend a paddle and keyer (as do many in the FISTS and other groups.)

Each camp has its highly qualified and well-intentioned advocates.

So... What's a mother to do?   How does one choose... and if he elects 
to work the paddle-keyer combo, then how does he elect A or B style?   I 
cannot find any sort of consensus, and it seems to be a very personal 
decision - but (as in the case of A vs B keyer styles)  one does not 
really know what he will like until he know how to do one or the 
other... it is a cart before the horse proposition in a way.

Single paddle.... double paddle.... straight key... sideswiper... bug...
iambic...  A... B... even C...     Sheesh!     I suppose it is analogous 
to selecting a word processor - whatever you learned first seems to be 
your favorite.   But how to know in advance which to choose?

Oh... and I like the saying about gentlemen and bagpipes....    ;-)

=====================  James -K8JHR  =========================


On 5/25/2010 11:54 PM, Art Trampler wrote:

> "A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the bagpipes, but doesn't."

   more often than not work people who do not
> deserve a Q5 report because they cannot accurately send, yet think there is
> something noble or pure about using the bug or straight key.

=====================================================================