Sending CW: Are you using your Iambic Paddle Correctly?

We run through good technique in using your Iambic paddle to send Morse Code throughout the alphabet.
Disclaimer - if you are already proficient in sending and your style differs from what I am showing - THAT IS OK! This is one way to send using an Iambic Paddle. Use methods that you are comfortable with.
As I mention in the video - sometimes I deviate from some of the style I am showing - especially when I get overly excited about contacting a DX station or I am experiencing a pile up in a contest.

[@mbiraside]

Thanks for this. I'm just learning with a paddle on the way so good timing.

[@k9kj]

@@mbiraside very cool !

[@edwarddoyle5585]

I'm just starting my cw adventure, I bought an Iambic keyer and you video will help me send better code from day one. Thanks for taking your time to make such an insightful video.

[@k9kj]

Thanks for watching!

[@rays9033]

Same for me, two-thumbs up 👍👍

[@michaelmcghie]

I am new to CW. I have a double paddle keyer and my oscillator will be here monday. Your video was great for me. Will take some practice but will keep watching your stuff

[@k9kj]

Awesome Michael, thanks for watching!

[@stevetaylor2955]

If you're new to the twin paddle, can I recommend you configure your keyer to have dits on the left and dahs on the right, Iambic mode B, character spacing on. If you learn with these settings you'll have a better chance of sitting down in an unfamiliar station and being able to send well. In the good old days each keyer design had subtle differences often making it impossible to send coherent CW if you were presented with a keyer you were not familiar with. Today most keyers are configurable, but you really don't want to be messing with someone else's configuration! I find the majority of operators use the above settings. Once you learn one way it's very difficult to change.

[@k9kj]

Great points Steve

[@gotti84121]

Great video and information sharing!🙌👍💯

[@rays9033]

I’m a new subscriber and near retirement. Looking forward to spending much more time on my new FTDX10 and earlier VHF//UHF rigs. I just earned my Extra class last week and now looking for more challenges. Last year I purchased the MFJ Straight key CW trainer to help learn CW along with my receiving training, but I only know 50% of the alpha-letters. Just found this channel and loving it, exactly what I was hoping to learn. His video of his key collection and recommendations were really helpful for my plans to order a real key.

[@rv6amark]

Good demo. Fortunately, way back in the 70's, I had a wonderful elmer who taught me to form each character with a minimum of motion. You showed that, but a bit more discussion on dit and dah insertion used on q, y, c, f, l and even r, and k, might make it clearer. Thank so much for making these videos. --Mark, KE6BB

[@k9kj]

Great point and good idea. I might remake this video soon. Thanks for your note!

[@johngriswold]

Funny, isn’t it, how you say it’s right if you’re having fun, and all these guys disagree? Thank you for an informative (and funny) video.

[@k9kj]

Thanks John, I appreciate the comment and I appreciate you watching! Trying to keep it fun!

[@darrinpearce9780]

Thanks for the video. When I first looked at learning CW, iambic was such a mystery and then there was A and B. Looks like another fan of the MS Intellimouse as well !! 73's from VK3.

[@daveedwards5951]

Well, there's more to it. Squeeze keying can also be used for A, N, K, R. An A is exactly the same as an R....just depends on when you 'un-squeeze' An 'A' is not a dit-dah, it's just a squeeze, timed just right. In fact, all the above letters are the same....just with appropriate timing of the squeeze. .

[@k9kj]

Very good points!

[@erniesirn8246]

Excellent lesson! Just about to start learning to send I will definitely use this as a guide.

[@alandigiovanni5282]

Thank you for the great instructional video. I found this very helpful.

[@yaksvk]

Thanks for the demonstration. That is one beautiful paddle that have there by the way. My little two cents: the squeeze keying requires a very high-quality paddle that can be adjusted to high precision. Good results depend on very subtle and precise timing, otherwise this will be very frustrating - producing a long of additional unwanted dits or dahs. The contacts need to be very fast, the moment you let go, the contact on the paddle must open. Trying this with cheap 3d printed portable paddles at reasonable speeds will just make you angry :).

[@k9kj]

This is a very good and a very valid point. Many low quality paddles produce a less-than-satisfactory experience.

[@k9eihamradio]

Thanks Tom. Seeing the technique is helpful. I'm going to make a concerted effort to learn squeeze methods.

[@k9kj]

Hey Matt! Give it a try, you might like it!

[@stevejava4336]

Sold! Thank you. I wil learn mores code on an Iambic paddle.

[@k9kj]

Awesome! The best of luck to you!

[@steveclark8731]

Thanks TJ. Very helpful.

[@yclept9]

Send"C" by sending "B" but hold the dash a tiny bit too long.

[@antonioliriololi]

Una pregunta: entre la llave y el transceptor, es necesario otro equipo para la interpretación de los puntos y rayas?

[@k9kj]

La interpretación de los puntos y las rayas se hace con la mente. Hay dispositivos que hacen esto, pero el mejor método es aprendiendo.

[@ralvarezb78]

I prefer squezze the paddles for alternating patterns even for leters such as K or R. 73's EA2CTK/F4JVJ

[@ianliston-smith7921]

A fair presentation, but this is supposed to save time or allow faster sending? Learning to do that properly looks like more trouble than it's worth. I think I'll stick to my single paddle, thanks!

[@k9kj]

I just did a single paddle / dual paddle video. Definitely stick to single paddle keying if you started that way.

[@LevyCarneiro]

Incredibly clarifying. Thanks!

[@muskrat1949]

Just starting in cw. Great video; are you using American or ITU morse?

[@k9kj]

@@muskrat1949 international Morse code. I'm not sure that I've ever come across American Morse code in use in modern times

[@thomasmaughan4798]

"Are you using your Iambic Paddle Correctly?" If my dits are shorter than dah, yes!

[@aldee3946]

What should the iambic paddle settings be set at for a newbie

[@Fedaalis]

I am pretty new, so my equipment is cheap (uSDX+ QRP transceiver, a PUTIKEEG brand iambic paddle) - anyway I just got the paddle & on my uSDX+, my right paddle will repeat "dit dah" instead of "dah" as it should. I tried messing with the tightness of the paddles without success. Can anyone help? Zero information out there. Wondering if it's the paddle... or the radio?

[@radioman3229]

Is there a software for my windows computer that I can somehow hook up my bencher key and see what I am sending. That or a reasonably priced stand alone unit? NS9T 73.

[@k9kj]

That's a good question... Let me research that

[@misteraon]

If you get a WinKeyer or a winkeyer clone like a Mortty they have some software that allows this and even basic sending games. I created a basic interface to connect a paddle to my iPhone and use the Morse It app which is a game changer. My interface uses a Arduino Pro Micro and runs a sketch that emulates the Vband interface…basically a two button USB keyboard.

[@PaulReedy]

I've tried this method, but found I don't release in time, so C becomes dah dit dah dit dah :( On the plus side of not doing it this way, operating single or double paddle is the same method.

[@steveb.548]

Sounds like you are having issues specifically with Mode B. If you have a ICOM radio, like a IC-7300 or IC-705, you are pretty much screwed on "squeeze keying" if you can't deal with Mode B, and don't use an external keyer, because that's the only built-in mode available -- but if you have a Yaesu, you can try switching to "Mode A" (which is listed as ELEKEY-A on most of their recent radios) - although as pointed out in Tom's Mode A vs. B description, Yaesu's Mode A implementation isn't perfect, since it has no element memory. Even with this limitation, I still find Yaesu's Mode A vastly better than Mode B, because at least Mode A doesn't proactively screw with your sending by injecting extra unwanted Dit's and Dah's. @k9kj -- By the way Tom, "Lack of Memory" is NOT specifically a "Disadvantage of Mode A" - only of Yaesu's CRAPPY IMPLEMENTATION. You might want to try an EXTERNAL KEYER with a proper Mode "A" implementation WITH memory. With a proper Mode "A" keyer, you will find that you can fly along squeeze-keying in Mode "A" at 30 plus WPM quite comfortably without either dropping or splattering extra Dits and Dahs. 🙂

[@oasntet]

If you aren't sending this way, you're not using an iambic paddle. You're just using a paddle. Which is fine, it's just not using the iambic part. Or the trochee part, depending on the letter.

[@HeimirThorSverrisson]

Great video! Thanks and 73

[@jasoncary7957]

Thanks for the video! I feel Iambic is fine up until around 25 wpm. Above that single paddle keys are less prone to cause errors. What is your thought?

[@marcinmerrimack1726]

I’d like to hear about this also. Is it useful to have a dual paddle key that can be converted to a single paddle action for high speed sending?

[@jasoncary7957]

​@@marcinmerrimack1726 I bought a Begali Sculpture Janus Morse key to do exactly that: try Iambic vs single paddle keying using the same key instead of buying separate keys. The Janus key is convertible in that it allows you to key like a single paddle, and with a twist of a screw, converts you to an Iambic key. Begali's Leonessa paddle also has this ability. You should experiment with single paddles and Iambic, both, to find what works best for you.

[@marcinmerrimack1726]

@Jason Cary Thanks for your reply. Yes, I’m familiar with the Begali Sculpture and Leonessa keys. How do you use your Sculpture key? Do you switch it at times between single paddle and iambic or have you chosen one configuration and now stay with that? Is there any downside to the ‘all in one’ key design?

[@jasoncary7957]

@@marcinmerrimack1726 Hello Marc, I wanted the Sculpture key specifically so I could move back and forth between Iambic and single paddle modes. My first key was a Vibrokey, which is a single paddle key. I wanted to experience Iambic too, so I bought the Janus. Unfortunately the Janus is very touchy with regards to moving between the two modes and I cannot get it to move to single paddle mode, so I'm stuck in Iambic mode. I still like the key and will keep it, but I would warn others to reconsider this particular key if they wish to move between Iambic and single paddle modes.

[@marcinmerrimack1726]

@@jasoncary7957 Interesting to hear your experience, Jason. I think I read somewhere that the two paddles each need very careful adjustment before switching to single-paddle mode, but I’m surprised you can’t get it to work. I think that Begali would be eager to help you with this. I know I’d be very disappointed to have purchased that expensive dual-mode key and not be able to switch modes. That said, I do tend to be a bit skeptical of ‘hybrid’ devices. And now just from you told me, I wouldn’t get either the Sculpture Janus or the Leonessa. I haven’t been active for a good long while and my experience was with a Vibroplex Bug. From what I read about iambic keying, it takes a bit of learning to do it without error and I expect it would be awkward to routinely switch between the two modes. My thinking now is to choose a two-paddle key and try iambic (squeeze) mode keying. If I don’t like it for some reason, I don’t see a problem in just reverting to the traditional non-squeeze keying technique. Am I missing something? Btw, though the Begali (and others) are certainly beautiful keys to look at, I’ve become intrigued with the “Solid State CW Paddle.” It’s plain-looking, but has uniformly very positive reviews. One high-speed (QRQ?) operator has it sitting center stage next to his Begali Sculpture. I’m going to see whether he’ll comment on the pros and cons of each key type. I know I’d prefer at least the quiet (non-clicking) characteristic of the solid state key.

[@douglasjackson1998]

I'm familiar enough that I knew what you were trying to demonstrate, even though what I was seeing was not what I was hearing. I don't think the video and audio are simply out of sync. It looks more like two different takes through the script (the alphabet). It seems like it'd be much more valuable to beginners if the video and audio were properly synchronized. 73 de AG7KB

[@k9kj]

Thanks Douglas, I'll check it out. I didn't realize that was happening.

[@douglasjackson1998]

@@k9kj I've watched it through twice more, and it seems fine now. At this point my remark seems like it's totally from left field. ;-)

[@fintronics]

Who made that paddle?? I want one!

[@k9kj]

This is from RA1AOM... Check him out on QRZ

[@mindfulmunchkin1215]

When you have spent 2 weeks learning then see you see that you have the dahs and dits the wrong way round :( Is it best to change at this stage?

[@k9kj]

I would personally try to switch it at this stage. The only reason why I say this is that if you go to somebody else's station and want to operate, it'll be a challenge to try to get the key to operate in reverse order.

[@mindfulmunchkin1215]

@@k9kj Thanks , I have swapped over the last few dayz- gone backwards a bit but getting back to where i was :)

[@taekehf]

It's still not 100% proper iambic to my idea. Consider the F. You're tapping the dah, but that isn't necessary. Just squeeze it and let both paddles go when the dit is sent. Same with the letter A, you can simply squeeze and let go and you have the letter A.

[@steveedwards90]

Not a comment but a question does it matter if dit and dah are reversed ie dah on thumb ?

[@k9kj]

It doesn't matter... what ever is the most comfortable - Especially for left-handed folks - it is often swapped.

[@haramanggapuja]

Yep. All of which works swell for folks with nominally normal neuro-muscular control. Those of us blessed with essential tremor (or it’s more sinister & vicious cousin, Parkinsons) are less likely to pull off going full-tilt iambic. And some are lucky to be able to use non-iambic paddles, depending on the severity of their presentation. I’m lucky to get thru a half-hour rag chews some days. Other days, well, let’s be real: better to go sit in the back yard & watch my junkie neighbor stumble around in his self-induced incapacitation. (I get such a feeling of contentment knowing that my minor inability to play CW is nothing compared to his narcissistic self indulgent “handicap.”) . . . And I have to say, all things considered, that the paddle & its adjustments make all the difference for me. Decades ago as a USN radioman, it was no biggie. Bug, straight key, an early Ten Tec KR20 keyer, none presented a problem. But agin’ ain’t for wimps & now I have a specific set of Begali paddles set up to play. The old touch paddles are too sensitive & even my trusted Brown Bros Machining BTL paddles sometimes fail to cooperate with neurons failing to cooperate with my intentions. . . . Still, I recommend keyers & paddles to anyone wanting to go full-tilt CW. Not only does it improve easy sending. It also improves copy speed. . . . Nice easy to follow video, by the way. 73 de W8IJN

[@johng4147]

I've been tempted to learn iambic but since I started with single paddles 50+ yrs ago I not going to try to rewire any grey matter at this point. Great video though and those Russian keys you have made by Val are probably the best looking (and possibly the best operating) keys on the planet. He says he can still ship to the US but I'm hesitant to place an order and get it blocked in customs at this time.

[@k9kj]

I know what you mean about shipping - its a tough time right now for Val - Hoping things get better soon.

[@j204ever5]

What paddle ist this?

[@k9kj]

This is a custom made paddle by Russian ham RA1AOM

[@sleeve8651]

Has anyone noticed, you don't hear much .... .. (Hi) short hand for laughter, anymore ? Too.....finding people that actually want to talk has become a challenge, as most are constantly in contest mode, with RST, My name is, and QTH ! Hell it's hard to even get a Weather report nowadays ! .... .. !! 😉

[@k9kj]

@@sleeve8651 I agree many people do not want to have a rag chew. I do come across some folks that are willing to do so, but I think the majority of people calling CQ just want a quick contact because they might not be super confident yet in their abilities.

[@sleeve8651]

@@k9kj As to new Ops being a bit shy or intimated, weren't we all ? Obviously, in my opinion, it seems we've lost the Elmer's of old, now replaced by the internet and long hours of sitting in front of a computer trying to memorize a string of answers ! Look at the number of Extra Class Operators ! It's like someone spilled a bag of, " Extra " seeds, and they have sprung up everywhere ! Disturbing because many have no practical app, and I have heard conversations where an Extra couldn't answer a question a Novice would know ! Sadly too, is the choice I guess the Feds made, to encroach upon what I knew to be the Novice CW portion of 40 meters, by allowing Phone Ops there ! I like many, back in the day, cut our teeth there with literally Hundreds of hours of practice, and QSO's ! My Radio room once was adorned with QSL cards ceiling to floor, wall to wall QSL cards, most unsolicited ! That's just the way it was ! We've lost a lot with this newfangled technology, to say the least ! Sorry if I'm preaching to the choir ! I just began to get active on HF, after several years away handling Life. And getting back on CW has been an absolute Joy ! ( And I'm running QRP ! ) I literally felt like a kid having my first CW QSO ! And continue to grin from ear to ear, with each contact ! Not especially excited where I am age wise, but glad I got in when I did ! Some 44 years now ! Too, I think many lack the true passion we once shared for all things Radio . And I'm happy to say after much prodding, I recently motivated a friend to get back on the Air, and he thanked me the other day, for helping him regain his interest, as he too is having a Ball ! Guess you can't have everything, but it doesn't get any better than that ! .... .. ! '73 👍😉 Oh ....and don't get me started on the Digital guys taking over the QRP Frequency of 7.040 ! 🫲😳🫴

[@pd1jdw630]

I found a sheet made by K4ICY that sort of visualizes the squeezing you have to make for each letter of the alphabet. And with this video added this thing now clicks in my head. And as a starter in morse code everyone said to start with a straight key. Well with CT in the wrist that wasn’t for long.

[@pieterg462]

Do you have a link to that sheet, please? I have Googled and could not find anything.

[@dennyoconnor8680]

98.5 % of hams using Iambic keyers cannot key Iambic in real time and should be using a single lever paddle.

[@W5MHG]

Liked the video. Also like the your paddle. Can you provide a link for the key. Thank you. de W5MHG

[@k9kj]

Its hard to get them now since the maker lives in Russia. Shipping from Russia is near impossible at the moment...

[@robertogrady8764]

Thanks, did not understand that. KO4ZCJ

[@kylebandy3677]

Thanks for this. I’m learning CW in a couple weeks in a CWops course. I’m excited! de KC9GLR k

[@k9kj]

Cwops is awesome! Good luck and have fun!

[@sleeve8651]

This is great.....! Now....if I just knew my ABC's ! 🫲🙄🫴