On Thu, 1 Apr 2010 20:41:54 EDT, notbob wrote:

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

Hmmm.

After reading all the replies on this thread, I'm tempted to ask:

"Don't you people know that CW is dead?"

While you prepare your answers, I'm off to work the low end of 40.

:-)

Kickin' Ass and Takin' Names wrote:

After reading all the replies on this thread, I'm tempted to ask:

"Don't you people know that CW is dead?"

While you prepare your answers, I'm off to work the low end of 40.

I am a retired Police Dispatcher.. One day one of my dispatchees had a
radio problem (Bad Mic cable) and could not talk to me.

Since we were both licensed hams, and both knew it. We managed to get
the necessary traffic passed and his rig scheduled for a very quick
visit with the Radio Shop.. No problem.

So, CW may be dead... But the number of carriers I find on the band
suggests... NOT.

Though I do admit I now know why folks were saying "GOD IS DEAD" some
years ago... But that is a topic for a different NG.

(NOTE: This statement does not comment on anything other than my
knowledge of that subject.. It is thus, NOT open for discussion)