CW (Morse Code) CQ using Iambic Paddle

I'm in the process of learning Morse code and this was the first time I had a chance to play with a keyer.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• CW
• Morse
• Code
• CQ
• Beginner
• Ham
• Amateur
• Radio
• Iambic
• Paddle
• kd7mni

[737Pilot122]

Why do people say dit and dah instead of dot and dash now?

[soccerkicker266]

@737Pilot122 Good question. No idea though.

[layed39]

Where did you git your paddle from?

[soccerkicker266]

This one actually belongs to the university's radio club which I am a part of.

[737Pilot122]

@737Pilot122 People can stop replying to this now...

[clipdan]

@737Pilot122 -> I just think its because dot and dash, do not flow when you mimic it? Were dit/dah rolls right off... Y/N?

[1951abcd]

It's been "dit" and "dah" for at least 40 years that I know of...

[bandopening]

Morse code is sounds and they sound like "dit" and "dah", the don't sound like "dot" and "dash". If you think of the code as "dot" and "dash", it makes it extremely difficult to learn and is always a burden because you have to translate that dah sound you hear into the dot and dash pattern you see then you have to translate that into the letter that was sent. It is not only a good idea, it is a very good idea to never think of code as dots and dashes, code is sent as "dits and dahs"

[PA3HGY1]

i have myself a chrome bencher paddle, and quality is good, its brand new, even after 10+years, keep on learning, one's you get it, you never forget it

[archuka1]

737Pilot122 What if you was speaking morse code ?? ie actually saying dit dah dah dit instead of dot dash dash dot ! i would understand the dit dah lots better. Just my opinion

[moosemekanik]

@737Pilot122 Dit and dah are the real ways to say the morse code characters. People who aren't normal users of the code refer to it as dot and dash. It's just like any other characters. You may see the letter C but it could have a K or S sound. Dots and dashes are written that way but they are "pronounced" dit and dah. This is also excellent for when you're learning the code because you can articulate better with your mind what you're hearing and tapping with these sounds.

[kc2zxl]

@soccerkicker266 Very nice paddle, I didn't know that holding down both paddle would alternate dit and dah's though - good to know. Not sure if I would ever use it however. Like you I recently got on HAM and CW for that matter. I like CW better than SSB now, though every now and then I do get on FM repeaters.

Happy DXing!

73

KC2ZXL

[Geistero]

@737Pilot122 in my video about the iambic technique I say dot and dash because I've heard that from english-speaking people and I am not a native English speaker...:)

[Paulus1944]

Forget about using dits and dash stuff, you need to use Dee's and dah's - Dee is a longer sounding dot which sounds better on long distance hard to hear DX. The Dits do become blown out by the static. For instance letter "C" become Dah Dee Dah Dee which sounds much more musical to the ear. I use 1.3 spaced dot or Dee instead of 1.0 while still using a 3-spaced Dash or Dah. You try it and see the results.