Ah interesting on the single paddle ops at the big contest station. Quite
the opposite in several contest stations here.

Some comments on Iambic keying.

Iambic ops claim "Overall, single lever paddles take more mechanical motion
to send characters than an iambic paddle."

"Expert ops can send continuously without leaving their fingers off the
paddles, so perhaps it is best described as a touch-squeeze keying
technique."



Be aware there are two different modes of Iambic operation - type A and type
B. When a squeeze is released during an element (dot or dash), type "B" adds
the opposite element. Type "A" just finishes the element in progress and
does not produce a following alternate element. For example, in Type "A"
Iambic, a squeeze release during the "dah" in the letter A will produce "dit
dah" (A). In Type "B" Iambic, a squeeze release during the "dah" in the
letter A will produce "dit dah dit" (R). That is if the left paddle is still
depressed at the half-way point of the dah.



My buddy - a top contester sez "So Iambic takes delicate practice, but after
a while the finger-brain activity becomes second nature and it will be as
easy as single paddle or straight key sending, but a lot less tiring and it
is probably the fastest keying method."



I am a single paddle guy, so can't attest to the Iambic preference. but I am
not a top contester (;-)



For those interested in where Iambic came from, here is the best opinions.



Iamb dates back to ancient Greek poetry. Iamb is a term from literature
meaning a two-syllable rhythm. An "iamb" consists of two syllables. It may
be two separate words, one word with two syllables, or even a portion of a
multi-syllable word. But the important thing is that each of the two
syllables has a different "accent." Sometimes the accent is called a SHORT/
LONG. That means, the first word comes quickly off the mouth when spoken;
the second word actually sounds for a longer time. So somewhere along the
line someone dubbed the squeeze key method of sending Morse characters as
Iambic, perhaps because of the short/long (dit/dah) aspect.





Caveat Lector




wrote in message
oups.com...

Caveat Lector wrote:
Most of the CW ops I know prefer the Iambic keys.

I just spent many hours on a Navy straight key so kept with what felt

comfortable.

Last year I sat in on a "huge gun" multi-op CW DX contest station
operation for a few hours and somewhat to my amazement all positions
were using single-paddle Kent keys. I thought for years that iambic
paddles ruled. Wrong. Which got me to thinking . . .

I've been using "iambic" paddles since around 1965 when I built one out
of a pair of back-to-back J-38 type straight keys. After all these
years it's finally dawning on me that I've never done much if any real
"squeeze keying", I'm still using paddles like I usta use bugs. So I
plan to equip myself with a single paddle "electric bug" and give it a
whirl.

Begs a question in my mind . . is real iambic squeeze keying actually
more like mythology than it is fact? Have we been behaving like sheep
or is it just us old farts who cut our teeth on bugs . . ?

--
Caveat Lector

w3rv



"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Caveat Lector wrote:

I have that problem occaisionally with a bencher single paddle key
and increasing the spacing between the points and adding a little
more
spring tension solves the problem.

I'll try that. There is an adjustment spring, but perhaps it is a
little
weak and should be replaced.

I like the contact spacing paper thin, but when it is too thin --
may
cause a double bounce.

Yes Bencher does make a single paddle key -- looks like the Iambic
with
two paddles -- but functions as a single paddle key.

That sort of key sounds logical to me. Although I'm starting to
"get" the
Iambic, it still seems a little strange. I should probable see if I
et a
little better before switching again.

Thanks, Mike KB3EIA -