notbob wrote in :

I'm a retired geezer studying for my technical license. I fully
intend to learn morse code and not at a mere 5wpm. I figure one is
not truly a ham until one can cw, so I'm hot on it, listening to the
Koch method to learn code. I'm also looking for a GOOD straight key.

I want to invest in quality, but am not wealthy. I was gonna buy a
Vibroplex Know Code key, but the reviews are less than heartening.
So, I talked to Al at Milestone Technologies and he said something that
kinda set me back on my heels. He claimed a straight key is not much
good for anything over 15 wpm. Yikes!

Am I unnecessarily knocking myself out trying to learn code at Just
Learn Code's default 20wpm? Dropping down to 15wpm sure would speed
up the learning curve. If I want to eventually make 20wpm and faster,
would I be better off with a less expensive straight key in the
beginning and later investing the money in a quality bug? I want
to go bug before paddles and keyers. I guess the bottom line is, do I
want to graduate to a bug as soon as possible and maybe lower my
initial goals for a straight key. IOW, just get on the air?

Any advice is appreciated.

nb


Back in the dauys of ships having to carry radio operator, the requirement
here in Canada was 25 wpm for a commercial operaators license. You had to
take the test using a straight key not even bugs were allowed for the
test. If memory serves I used a SpeedX hand key to pass the test. There
were also some very nice German and English had keys around, left over
from WWII that you could use and get upwards of 30 wpm from if you had the
skills. The speed recprd holder is W9YZE(SK) at 35 wpm. I believ it is
still recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.

See:

http://oldqslcards.com/W9YZE.pdf


--
Panzer