Learning Morse Code, Straight Key or Paddles?

The eternal question and a sure way to start trouble at your next Ham radio club! Is the straight key a better learning tool or will the modern paddles and keyer get you there faster? Which is better for a beginner? This is not about what you prefer. It is fine to like one better. It is not about how it used to be done or by whom, army, merchant marine, etc. It is not about which one worked best for you. The amount of effort spent or how hard it is does not mean a better method. It is about giving the best tool to a new student of the code today.
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[Steve-GMHUU]

Arguments for learning Straight:
1. If done properly, you have to learn correct dot/dash ratio and spacing.
2. You can use a straight key on any radio (e.g. one that has no keyer).
3. Your sent CW will have it's own character - a little bit like handwriting.
3. If you don't have a key, a switch or a couple of bits of wire will work.
4. You cannot crank the keyer up to 70 or 80 WPM so that few operators can copy without a computer.
5. You can instantly slow down individual characters to accentuate them when condx are bad.

Arguments for paddles:
1. Much closer to machine morse, allowing many ops to copy more easily or better computer decode.
2. Less physically demanding to use (that's why they were produced).
3. Don't have to worry too much about spacing or speed as the keyer does it for you.

Arguments against paddles:
1. Lots of extra dits means more errors when sending.
2. No keyer available, your key is useless (unless you use one of the paddles in straight mode 😄).

At the end of the day, whether you go for straight or iambic (or both), main point is that you learn to send properly formed code that other ops (and preferably computers) can decode. This will help to sustain and promote the use of CW.

[farmerwayne]

Straight key on the left of me, paddles on the right. Here I am stuck in the middle with you!🎼

[gravestonemyth]

The easy answer to your question is “yes”. I think everyone should learn both. But I agree that learning the rhythm is paramount to becoming a good CW OP. And thank you for not mentioning bugs and cooties. I appreciate them, but a poorly weighted bug is a difficult hill for a beginner to climb.

[Utahforrest]

I needed this! Started on a straight key a few days ago and I want to ease the learning curve with an iambic.

[MichaelLloyd]

I was taught on paddles. Yes taught. A very kind ham set up a sked with me almost every night for about a month. I used Code Quick to get the letters and numbers but the sked is what taught me to have a conversation. He got me up to 25 WPM. I used to keep a key in the console of my work truck. I made quite a few contacts where my location was milepost xxx on Interstate 10 in Texas. Sadly when I changed vehicles I didn't put the HF rig in the new vehicle and, over time, my speed diminished. I used paddles and straight key. I'm not as fast or accurate with a straight key. 73 NE5U

[RobR]

Buying or making a really nice straight key that’s comfortable to use can mean the difference between being able to send with relative ease properly timed code vs sloppy code because the key slides around the table or your hand cramps up, assuming you have the timing down first, it also make it fun and easier to learn.
Same with paddles, buy nice or buy twice 😊

[UDX-]

Newbie -This came in handy, was struggling with 60 yr olde straight key, after watching x4 and trying a cheap clothes pin iambic i was typing slow VVV DE GIL .now comes the practice .thanks Gil .

[philipwells]

I learnt with a straight key 35 years ago, and I am re-learning again using a straight key. For me a paddle is daunting as to me the rhythm of sending with a straight key is the language. I am practicing at the moment by listening to some morse whilst reading it and trying to make the sound of it in my head as fast or faster than the sender, then tapping out the same thing myself. I am not recommending this as its personal to me, I find sending is important to reading. It might be because I am dyslexic :) and these sort of learning strategies worked for me in the past. Hopefully in the next 4 weeks or so I will be on the air again after 35 years with a reasonably well understood fist and a good enough ear. 73

[timelord]

For me, straight is the key only for getting pleasure. It's a very pleasant feeling when you sending with your own handwriting - it doesn't look like anything.
When I work on the air in normal mode at 20-25 WPM, I use an iambic key. At this speed, the hand gets tired very quickly and starts to hurt if you use the straight key. This becomes an additional, unnecessary complexity.
And I agree, receiving is >1000% more difficult than transmitting and you need to devote all your time to it.

[atf]

I almost completely agree. Almost: "Why introduce additional difficulties?", you rightly ask. Iambic keying does just that. A _single_ paddle obviates that iambic finger fumbling and is much more intuitive. It also facilitates having fun with sideswipers and bugs, and it removes a serious impediment to qrq.

[WRND]

Thanks. As a long-time newbie, I went with both. 👍

[ASCIITerminal]

You make a very good point about paddles, the rhythm comes more naturally. I guess the straight key argument comes from the CW test days when a straight key was the only way to go for beginners. I remember my Dad telling me that when he took the test, the examiner was a professional telegrapher, despite the 12wpm requirement the guy sent at 18wpm but it was timing perfect and therefore incredibly easy to copy. When it's sent right, it's much easier to copy!

[larryakz]

I agree. Paddles first and don't look back!

[runabout]

Been listening and learning for years but only just started sending with paddles last year. Picked up the straight key only for the first time the other day and was amazed how well it went. I think you’re right - getting the rhythm from listening and using paddles first had really helped. Great advice.

[puebespuebes]

What about just using straight key because it is so satisfactory

[douglasdreger]

That is my experience too. Paddles first, train the brain, and the timing with the straight key comes naturally, albeit at a slower WPM. It is satisfying seeing your straight key send get picked up by RBN. I like using the straight key because I am slower on it and I can copy better. I am getting ok at 15wpm, and I am following the recommendation of your earlier video to practice at a faster speed..

[ralphnunn]

I completely agree. I've been doing CW for about 2 1/2 years. I started out on a paddle, and am glad I did. While I still have a ways to go (I'm wearing out the dit key with all of my mistakes... ;-)), I'm getting better. I also found that the Straight Key came naturally after learning on the Iambic Paddle.

[radiotec]

I say both. When I became a Novice licensee back in December 1976 I used a JJ-38 mounted on a Bakelite base I bought at Radio Shack. I used it for years. It was only later I learned to use Iambic paddles. I'm fluent on both and I can even use a Vibroplex semi-automatic key. One interesting note. Gil, I have a genuine J-38 now and the shorting switch also had a broken know on it just like yours. I ordered a replacement so it could be "whole" again. I just love, love, love my J-38. I lucked out when I found it at an electronic store here in Houston over a year ago. It needed a lot of cleanup but looks great now.

[rolnas]

I think we should start from hearing not by trying to send it. After it is not important with what to send - computer keyboard, paddles or straight key.

[Steve_Wardley_GJEF]

You'll certainly get some opinions on this As someone about to start learning CW, I have to agree with you on this one. Why make things hard for yourself just because of tradition ? Progress the easiest way then come back on yourself to do the harder tasks when you are better equipped.