CW question

[KB3NDN]

I have never thought of this until now, but what do you actually use to push the key? #index, middle, both? #funny how you never think twice about things.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[KE5FRF]

Quote[/b] (KB3NDN @ Aug. 28 2007,18:41)]I have never thought of this until now, but what do you actually use to push the key? #index, middle, both? #funny how you never think twice about things.... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Depends on the type of key.

For my straight key I use both my index and middle finger in unison and rest my wrist on the desk. Some use just the index, some use just the middle, and some use all five fingers by grasping the finger mechanism with all five fingertips.
With the Bug, I use thumb for dits, index and middle for dahs.
Paddles, same as Bug though sometimes I find using just the thumb and index finger more comfortable with the paddles.

Really, it is a matter of comfort for the operator. What ever feels most natural and results in fewest errors. Sometime I make adjustments in mid QSO to correct for the mood of my "fist" at the time.

[KB3NDN]

didnt pay attention to the category, this was suppose to be in questions and answers

[KE5FRF]

Ok, so go reword your original post to say, let's talk about y'all's opinion in regards to what finger you use to actuate your Morse key on amateur radio

Make sure you get all three phrases in the question and they can't move it. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KB3NDN]

Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Aug. 28 2007,12:08)]Ok, so go reword your original post to say, let's talk about y'all's opinion in regards to what finger you use to actuate your Morse key on amateur radio

Make sure you get all three phrases in the question and they can't move it. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
LOL http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KA4DPO]

I have always used my thumb and index finger on a straight key and the same on a paddle.

[AG3Y]

Many people complain about a "glass arm" because they do not use a straight key correctly.

You should adjust the key so that very little downward pressure is required to form a character. The index finger is on top of the knob, while the thumb and middle finger are resting gently on the sides of the knob. The "Navy Knob" has an extra skirt around the base of the knob, and your thumb and middle finger will rest in the indentation formed by the skirt and the knob.

It is incorrect to "tap" the key with your fingers, as this leads to choppy sending. BTW, this is applied to all three types of keying mechanisms. In every method, the best way is by applying a small amount of controlled pressure until the contact is made, and the character is sounded!

73, Jim

[KB3NDN]

i have the contacts so close that you really just have to touch them the lever doesnt look like it moves at all.

[KI6JUX]

Quote[/b] (AG3Y @ Aug. 28 2007,17:52)]Many people complain about a "glass arm" because they do not use a straight key correctly.

You should adjust the key so that very little downward pressure is required to form a character. The index finger is on top of the knob, while the thumb and middle finger are resting gently on the sides of the knob. The "Navy Knob" has an extra skirt around the base of the knob, and your thumb and middle finger will rest in the indentation formed by the skirt and the knob.

It is incorrect to "tap" the key with your fingers, as this leads to choppy sending. BTW, this is applied to all three types of keying mechanisms. In every method, the best way is by applying a small amount of controlled pressure until the contact is made, and the character is sounded!

73, Jim
Thanks for the explanation, Jim! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I have a "Navy Knob" but the contacts are too far apart, and it ends up with my arm burning from the excess motion.

I'll have to fix that tonight! Also, I have a straight key, should it be mounted on a wooden base?

I see that it has screw holes in it, but I bought it "as is", and the iambic keys in the HRO catalog all have bases on them.

Thanks! 73

[k9cn]

Wow, I never realized there were so many ways of doing this.

On a straight key, I lightly but positively grasp the knob with my thumb, index and middle fingers at about the 9, 12 and 3 o'clock positions, respectively. (Assuming right hand operation.) ##My elbow rests on the desk with my forearm held slightly above, and keying consists of more or less "throwing" my wrist up and down in a rhythmic manner. #(No wise cracks -- this is a family site.)#It's kind of hard to describe, but this how I understood the ARRL instructions from long ago, and I've always found this to be both comfortable and conducive to smooth code. #Actually tapping the knob with the index finger sounds like something clueless actors do in WWII action flicks.

On a bug, I sort of hang my hand over the paddle between my thumb and index finger and kind of rock my hand back and forth in a loose manner. #Again, this seems to work best.

I don't know how to use iambic paddles and will defer to the experts with those.

On a "QWERTY" style keyboard, I guess using the four fingers of each hand to do the actual keying, with thumbs working the spacebar, works as well as anything. #Looking at the keys helps, too.

[k0cmh]

I guess the army taught me to work the key like ag3y said, or else I just did it by accident. #But I will attest that if I do it otherwise, my forarm and elbow will hurt.

Also, my personal preference is to adjust the gap in the key so that it just barely makes a click when working it. #Then I adjust the spring pressure so that it is very light. #What happens is that I can "feel" the gap and the lever will "bounce" when sending the dits. #When sending characters such as 5, sk etc. #the lever feels as if it is almost bouncing under it own power. #I am not forcing the key to make contact, it is more like I am "directing" it. #

But to get to this point, the key needs to be mechanically capable and in good mechanical condition. #I have an old Western Electric triumph key. #I keep all the contact points clean and dry. #Yes, dry. #I found that if I lube the bearing points of the sides of the lever, it will dry, gum up and the key acts terribly.

I can send for long periods without any discomfort in my arm, wrist or elbow, both during and afterwards when set up this way.

EDIT: after posting this, I sent a few characters with my key and realized that I hold my forarm just an inch off the benchtop, parallel to the table top, my elbow about six inches from my ribs, and use just a touch of movement of my wrist to move the key lever. My arm and elbow stay basically immobile.

[WS2L]

Two different ways depending on how I feel.

1) Thumb & Pointer
2) Thumb & Middle

Mostly #1

[k0cmh]

I could bore you all by telling my story again about when in the army, leaving the keys in the shop and then when in the field having to send by touching the two leads of a headphone wire set together. But I won't.

[AA0CX]

I use bugs: thumb for dits; middle and index on the dahs. Seems more relaxed that way, than just trying to use the index finger alone on the dah side. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[W0BKR]

Quote[/b] (KB3NDN @ Aug. 28 2007,17:01)]didnt pay attention to the category, this was suppose to be in questions and answers
Since you posted a response, what's your opinion? Or should we look for that in the Q/A section?

Getting confusing in here.. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[W0BKR]

I use Iambic, thumb and index and sometimes middle. AT 30-35 WPM, gets to be a bit of a chore with the old straight key.

[W4HAY]

For the straight key, it's the thumb and middle finger on each side of the knob, with the index finger resting on top. The contact gap is adjusted to about the thickness of two sheets of newsprint, and the tension so that very little pressure closes the circuit. The wrist and forearm rest on the table.

For the paddles, it's thumb and side of index finger. Again ,close spacing, light pressure, wrist/arm on table

My preferences for spacing and tension probably will be different than yours. Experiment to find what is comfortable for your style of sending.

SKs and one set of paddles are mounted on 4" X 12" sheets of finished 1/4" plywood. The other paddle sits on an old thick rubber mousepad that has been cut in half lengthwise and the slick sides glued together.

[WA7KKP]

Index and middle fingers on a straight key . . .

thumb and index finger on an iambic paddle.

I never thought that would be a pressing issue.

Gary WA7KKP

[k0dxc]

I switch around alot. Sometimes the tip of my finger. Most of the time I use the middle.

[K0RGR]

I learned to send on a straight key that had a handle with a flat plate underneath the normal handle. So, I have always used my thumb, index and middle finger on a straight key.

I use thumb and index finger on a paddle, and all fingers and thumbs on a keyboard.

[K9STH]

Years ago there was an amateur radio operator who was born without arms. He sent CW on a straight key using the big toe on his foot. This operator would send with his right foot for a while then send "QLF" (unofficial "Q" signal meaning I am sending with my left foot) and switch feet! There was a "write up" in QST back in the 1960s including several photos of him.

Now the "Q" signal meaning "are you sending with your left foot" is "QLF?" and is almost always sent as a critique of really bad sending. However, the particular amateur described above always made a "joke" out his handicap. He also tuned the transmitter and receiver with either something like a pencil in his mouth or by actually using his foot (like when changing bands).

Now this amateur's CW was considerably better than average. He could send better quality CW with his feet than a lot of operators could send with their hands.

Glen, K9STH