If you ever sent code...

[koØm]

Which hand did you use, your "predominate" one (the one you write with) or, the other one?

.

[K7SGJ]

I can't do anything worthwhile with my left hand. If I tried to send code using it, the result would be dyslexic cw.

[N2NH]

Used the dominant one, but tried to copy with a typewriter/keyboard. Didn't work, even though I'm a pretty decent touch typist.

[W9JEF]

The right hand fingers are still sore from over 350 contacts in the ARRL 160 CW contest.

Often had to repeat my "AR" section; dozens of times to Christmas Island,

and I'm now in the T32RC log on 160. :)

[kb2vxa]

I never sent it on the air but never mind the long story of my learning disability, in practice sessions I used a straight key with my dominant right hand. As a related side issue, my left hand mouse. Because the cord would interfere with my layout I have it to the left of the keyboard so it confuses the hell out of the occasional right handed guest. Then I have to restore the default right hand settings and drag the cord across the keyboard, they just can't understand using the same two fingers regardless of which hand they're on. (;->)

[koØm]

You know, it wouldn't be hard for me to send with my left hand, I just have to try to scribble or type with the right hand. This came up this morning not as I was on the radio but, when I was playing a video game called "ZUMA", you have to shoot colored balls and make matches.

I have some residual nerve damage from a rear-end crash back in '07 and, it messes with my right hand; specifically, the radial nerve that runs down into the thumb and forefinger. That nerve runs through one of the cervical disc in the neck and transmits the sense of touch to the brain. Because of the compressed nerve, my thumb and forefinger don't work well with the other three fingers on my hand, forget about touch typing and fine motor skills.

I played with and adjusted my straight key but, my two hyper-sensitive fingers are tuning my 'Dahs' into "Dits" with this "twitch/jerk" they have developed.

If I allow my Orthopaedic specialist stab in the neck with the Cortisone, it would make it go away.....for a while.

.

[K7SGJ]

You know, it wouldn't be hard for me to send with my left hand, I just have to try to scribble or type with the right hand. This came up this morning not as I was on the radio but, when I was playing a video game called "ZUMA", you have to shoot colored balls and make matches.

I have some residual nerve damage from a rear-end crash back in '07 and, it messes with my right hand; specifically, the radial nerve that runs down into the thumb and forefinger. That nerve runs through one of the cervical disc in the neck and transmits the sense of touch to the brain. Because of the compressed nerve, my thumb and forefinger don't work well with the other three fingers on my hand, forget about touch typing and fine motor skills.

I played with and adjusted my straight key but, my two hyper-sensitive fingers are tuning my 'Dahs' into "Dits" with this "twitch/jerk" they have developed.

If I allow my Orthopaedic specialist stab in the neck with the Cortisone, it would make it go away.....for a while.

.

Had any luck with a bug or a paddle and keyer?

[W3WN]

Which hand did you use, your "predominate" one (the one you write with) or, the other one?

.Yes.

... for some odd reason, when it comes to sending, I'm ambidextrous. Comes in handy when I'm trying to send & log at the same time.

[W3WN]

The right hand fingers are still sore from over 350 contacts in the ARRL 160 CW contest.

Often had to repeat my "AR" section; dozens of times to Christmas Island,

and I'm now in the T32RC log on 160. :)Sorry I didn't work you, but something broke on my 160 antenna, and outside of relatively local groundwave, it was acting like an NVIS system. Oh well, there's always next year.

[n2ize]

I usually use my right hand but I can send code equally well with my left hand and I feel comfortable sending either way.. I use a regular old fashioned brass key...In fact if I am writing while I am sending I'll always use my left hand for sending. I am equally comfortable firing a handgun right or left handed but when it comes to shooting a rifle or shotgun I am left handed.. I play the violin the conventional right handed way that most players do, bowing with my right hand and fingering with my left. It always felt natural for me to hold it that way. But if I pick up a guitar I am left handed, I prefer to finger with my right hand. Just the opposite of most people. Go figure. When it comes to writing I am strictly right handed.

Actually I suspect I was meant to write with my left hand. As a very young child I would always hold a crayon or pencil in my left hand. It just felt natural. But I grew up in a time when adults considered it improper for a child to use his left hand. So I was conditioned to think it was wrong to use my left hand and forced myself to use my right hand, eventually getting good at it. Thank God that these days most adults have awoken to the reality that there is nothing wrong with a child learning to write left handed.

[W7XF]

Unless I use a computer keyboard....i sound like i'm using my left foot XD :lol:

[N7YA]

I rarely use the mic. Ive been a CW op for 30 years, and i always use the predominant hand (righty). And i only use bugs.

After all this time, i should try to use the left so i can write with the other, but i have it worked out where i send while holding the pen in the same hand...the left hand holds the coffee.

[kb2vxa]

"I am equally comfortable firing a handgun right or left handed..."

Do you fire an automatic with your left hand and get hit in the face with the brass? (;->)

[W9JEF]

Sorry I didn't work you, but something broke on my 160 antenna, and outside of relatively local groundwave, it was acting like an NVIS system. Oh well, there's always next year.

I hate it when that happens. :(

The six inches of snow on the ground lowered the base impedance
of the umbrella cage vertical configuration of my 80 meter turnstile,
resulting in a loading problem and slightly reduced power on the low end of 160.

I don't remember 160 being in better condition.
Hope you can get your antenna working in time
for the CQ 'test January 24 to 26.

http://www.cq160.com/rules.htm

[W9JEF]

Used the dominant one, but tried to copy with a typewriter/keyboard. Didn't work, even though I'm a pretty decent touch typist.

I read somewhere (maybe an old ARRL Handbook)
that to copy at high speed using a mill,
you learn Morse not as characters, but as keyboard positions.
Otherwise your mind needs to first decode the character,
then think of the key to hit, a two step process.

The high speed typists don't know what they copy until they see it in print.

[N2ADV]

Both though I usually use my right hand just because of how my desk is arranged.