I'm pretty determined to become at least somewhat proficient at #cw this year and have some cw #QSOs on the air.

[admin@mastodon.ai8w.ddns.net]

@bud_t

I can't recommend https://www.skccgroup.com/ enough...

[bud_t@m.ai6yr.org]

@admin I just registered with SKCC. Thanks!

[admin@mastodon.ai8w.ddns.net]

@bud_t

No problem.

I exclusively cootie on the air. I find it much more enjoyable than any other keying method.

I don't even use the keyer in my rigs.

Straight keying is much more enjoyable, at least to me.

[bud_t@m.ai6yr.org]

@admin I am trying to first learn sending using a straight key and my rig in "training" mode. And I am finding that I need to relax!

[kb6nu@mastodon.radio]

@bud_t @admin I'd really encourage you to get a paddle. You'll send better code with a paddle, and it's a lot easier on the hand and wrist. CWops require that their CW Academy students use a paddle for good reason.

[bud_t@m.ai6yr.org]

@kb6nu @admin I read somewhere to start with a straight key before going to a paddle. Do you not think that is a good strategy? I guess the idea is to develop your own sense of timing?

[admin@mastodon.ai8w.ddns.net]

@bud_t

Up and down straight keys contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, glass elbow, and other maladies.. unless you know how to stay relaxed.

This is why I like a cootie. It's a straight key, but it's keyed on a paddle. you make all the dits and all the dahs, and it doesn't matter which side is a dit or a dah.

I can key with two fingers and not hurt..

So much so that I designed my own key that I 3D printed. Magnetic tension, really light touch...

Cootie isn't for everyone, but I agree with Dan - paddle keys (Bug, Cootie, etc) are probably a better bet.

@kb6nu

[kb6nu@mastodon.radio]

@bud_t @admin No, I don't think that's a good strategy. I started out with a straight key many years ago and never really developed a great fist. You really can't really tell how good or bad your fist is, unless you record yourself and play it back. With a paddle and keyer, you can be sure, at least that the dits and dahs are consistent. As I say, the CWops CW Academy requires students to learn with a paddle.

[admin@mastodon.ai8w.ddns.net]

@kb6nu

Odd... I get accused of using a keyer all the time when I let the station I'm working know I'm on a cootie.

It depends on the op.

@bud_t

[tsherrygeo@m.ai6yr.org]

@bud_t @kb6nu @admin imo the answer to this debate is to just pick one and start with it.

I highly recommend the book "The CW Way of Life". It is straight key focused, but has really good exercises in general for learning Morse or improving technique. Also has a focus on proper ergonomics.

[ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org]

@tsherrygeo @bud_t @kb6nu @admin For the record, I am a HUGE straight key and SKCC fan. And I am absolutely AGHAST and hate CW Academy, because it produces people who can send very fast code but can't slow down and work anyone else. PADDLES SUCK

[ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org]

@tsherrygeo @bud_t @kb6nu @admin

On the air: SKCC folks: hugely tolerant, help people out, willing to run slow. Easy to run because it's very structured and the same exchange every time, twice.

CW Ops folks: absolute a***holes. When I was first learning, one of their folks sent me a postal letter telling me how HORRIBLE my CW was (I had been on the air exactly 1 week) and how I should be ashamed to be a ham, and should turn in my license.

[bud_t@m.ai6yr.org]

@ai6yr @tsherrygeo @kb6nu @admin really? That is crazy

[admin@mastodon.ai8w.ddns.net]

@bud_t

I can honestly state that I've encountered a lot of the same.

SKCC people are hugely more tolerant than CWcOps folks are.

@ai6yr @tsherrygeo @kb6nu