Keys for electronic keyers are also known as 'Wabbler', 'Paddle', 'el bug' etc.
Still another implementation of a simple morse code key? What's so special about them?
Opposite to a bug or hand-key these keys need an electronic keying circuit which creates 'dots' and 'dashes'. The circuit provides 3 inputs: ground, dot contact and dash contact. Whenever the dot contact is grounded the circuit creates a continuous string of dots. When the dash contact is grounded it creates a string of dashes.
The key or paddle itself provides the grounding of the contacts by pushing the lever (ground) right (dots) or left (strings) against insulated contacts.
Regarding the paddle implementation there are 2 major versions:
- single lever version and
- dual lever version.
The single lever version provides a single lever which is moved left or right and thus creates dashes or dots. At a time it can only create either or.
The dual lever version provides 2 levers which can be operated independent of each other. This allows for the so-called 'squeeze mode'. Squeezing both paddles simultanously creates a string of alternating dots and dashes starting with the paddle side squeezed first.
This mode is also referred to as 'iambic keying'. It's another major improvement in making CW keying much easier - especially at higher speeds. Quite a number of characters in CW are formed by alternating dots and dashes, like the letter 'C', 'R' or combinations of it like 'L', 'Y' etc.
With iambic keying the motion of the arm/fingers is again significantly reduced.
Because of the benefit of the iambic keying capability most of the contemporary keys provide the dual lever version.
Still another implementation of a simple morse code key? What's so special about them?
Opposite to a bug or hand-key these keys need an electronic keying circuit which creates 'dots' and 'dashes'. The circuit provides 3 inputs: ground, dot contact and dash contact. Whenever the dot contact is grounded the circuit creates a continuous string of dots. When the dash contact is grounded it creates a string of dashes.
The key or paddle itself provides the grounding of the contacts by pushing the lever (ground) right (dots) or left (strings) against insulated contacts.
Regarding the paddle implementation there are 2 major versions:
- single lever version and
- dual lever version.
The single lever version provides a single lever which is moved left or right and thus creates dashes or dots. At a time it can only create either or.
The dual lever version provides 2 levers which can be operated independent of each other. This allows for the so-called 'squeeze mode'. Squeezing both paddles simultanously creates a string of alternating dots and dashes starting with the paddle side squeezed first.
This mode is also referred to as 'iambic keying'. It's another major improvement in making CW keying much easier - especially at higher speeds. Quite a number of characters in CW are formed by alternating dots and dashes, like the letter 'C', 'R' or combinations of it like 'L', 'Y' etc.
With iambic keying the motion of the arm/fingers is again significantly reduced.
Because of the benefit of the iambic keying capability most of the contemporary keys provide the dual lever version.
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