Can you not use the paddle while holding your pen? That’s what I do.
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Andy,
Yes I found the perfect solution to your problem. Turn on internal logging, set the date and time. Forget the pencil and paper, do your log when home by downloading to a PC and running it through ON6ZQ excellent online converter to FLE
If you want to record a S2S summit reference send it back at end of qso like " R LD001 TNX S2S CU EE" then its in your log.
Memory on log KH1 is massive, unlike the KX2. You can just leave it running all the time, then clear it once you download it.
73 Gavin
GM0GAV
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I’m left-handed and have used it for ~35 years for the straight key and twice that time for writing. I paddle with my right hand. A rig that would force me to relearn iambic paddling with the other hand is not attractive to me.
You make a good point. I often stand when using my 2m FM HT/RH770 whip [to improve reception when sheltering out of the wind] but find it awkward to hold my logging clipboard on my bent knee or on a stone wall. For HF I sit in my very comfortable Helinox portable chair [no more aches, pains or cramp] with my logging clipboard [a large kitchen cutting board with a small steel plate for my Palm Pico twin paddles] on my thighs/knees and the KX2 next to me on my rucksack but in my shadow (Yes, we are still having freakishly long weeks of bright sunshine here in northern England). If I were to use the KH1 on my knee or elsewhere I might as well use the KX2. This is making me think twice about doing CW HF handheld except for very brief activations [but then again it’s the chasers who determine how long I’m there].
No! This was discussed on the reflector a few years ago. The whole point of my learning iambic paddling with my non-writing (right) hand [about 25 years ago] was to avoid the pencil flipping between fingers or dropping/picking up. Using different hands for logging and paddling is more efficient and comfortable. Even if I wanted to go down that retrograde step either I would have to start writing with my other hand or learn to paddle with the other hand.
You might have noticed in my post above I said I’m looking for solutions not involving e-logging by the rig. This is also a topic that was discussed a few years ago. Far from being perfect, many like me think e-logging alone has its problems. I won’t repeat all the arguments again here but just to say I prefer pencil and paper logging (it’s more reliable), I don’t want to automate the transfer to FLE. Once home I enjoy reviewing my activation during the manual transfer to FLE and manually add names of ops and many S2S summits. My SOTA activations aren’t long and don’t have so many QSOs that manual transfer would be a chore.
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Andy,
I did see that in your post - as this thread is about the KH1 its worthwhile people including yourself consider the Elecraft solution to that issue. Its been designed into the radio for that very reason, its not easy to hold a pencil in your sending hand. Certainly don’t want to be moving the radio between hands with potential to drop!!
I went to Jura last week and did 4 activations, on 2 different days with my KH1. All handheld operation, zero paper. The internal logging was set to on for the duration, remains active when you switch off the radio. The ON6ZQ converter still requires you to do a review & manual editing of the FLE file, plus I split into the 4 individual summits with their own ADIF files.
I don’t see any significant risks with internal logging. Press the erase menu command by accident is one. Drop or loose your radio is another, but you could loose your log sheets in the wind…
73 Gavin
GM0GAV
Maybe we could have a SOTA QLF activity day? Any mode of keying valid, provided it’s a novel method for you.
I’ve never tried left hand keying, but I’d be willing to give it a go. I know that I’m terrible at using a straight key, my timing (I think) is good, it’s just calibrating my arm to the correct force. I tend to be very heavy handed. I seem to be able to send well on a micro switch or crude PCB type straight key.
I have no issues with holding a pencil and keying a paddle key, it’s something I’ve done for over a decade.
I’ll give left handed paddle keying a go, if I remember, next time out.
Colin
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Provided you reverse the paddles in your keyer you are likely to find it very easy to swap hands. You will find that your CW ability resides in your head, and not in your hand.
the important thing is to reverse the paddles, and to then not think any more about it…just start keying without worrying about your finger and thumb…you are likely to find you are no worse or better than with your dominant hand.
I would encourage anyone reading this to give it a try – it is quite instructive to prove that CW does not have a handedness in quite the same way that writing does.
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I would have expected it to feel like learning all over again, but as you describe, I found it quite easy. Thank you for the suggestion, very interesting!
The KH1 made me CW ambidextrous. Initially I reminded myself “the dah is on the outside” and it didn’t take more than a few activations before I was proficiently sending and logging right-handed while holding the unit in my left. At my home station I send left handed.
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Imo it’s not a “minor quibble”. I sold my three weeks old FT-710 for the similar reason - loud sidetone clicks I couldn’t stand
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No need to reverse the paddles. Just starting keying and don’t think too much about it. Your brain will figure it out.
I too, like many others, and like the original poster keyed with one hand and wrote with the other until I realized that just wouldn’t work with the KH1.
No fancy gear solutions, no digging in the settings. The first activation was a little strange, but fine enough. I had to knock a few WPM off for a month or so, but now it’s fine.
If you don’t change the paddles (swap dit for dah), you have the advantage of switching hands seamlessly mid-QSO.
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