I first came across the sideswiper on a Russian ship in the 70s. I found it very useful for sending number groups, as in OBS (weather report) messages. I also wondered why Russian radio operators were so much better, faster and clearer, than most of us. Reduces the likelyhood of Carpel Tunnel syndrome/CTS/Glass arm, or W@nker's Cramp, if you prefer. I liberated it and have it at home. Transition from standard to sideswiper took an hour or two. What amazes me is that in 3 years in Radio College, it was never mentioned. Good video. Thanks.
If you don't mind, I have a comment/tip! I don't know if you're still practicing, but I've been trying to learn to receive off and on for years (I know), and in the mean time I've become quite adept at using a cootie. (Sending isn't really the problem, it's receiving, which is why I'm waiting before trying to make contacts on the air...) Anyway, the best tip I can give you is to stop pinching. It's vital to keep your thumb and forefinger at a set distance to get a nice flow. Also, the farther apart they are, the shorter the dits compared to the spaces. This is why you don't really want the contact points adjusted too tight. Mine are really loose at about 3mm and that works well. Here's a URL to an mp3 file with my CQ if you'd like to listen! (Click download audio) sndup.net/5gz7
Nice fist, OM. A lot of cootie ops drag out the dah, making the code sound mushy and hard to discern. I put a lot of effort into getting the dit and dah proportions correct. It's one of the fun challenges of the cootie key after clearing the initial rhythm hurdles. Regarding the starting on the right side issue, it's only natural. Most of us send CQ, which starts on the right with paddles and bugs. I find myself almost always starting with my index finger, so I periodically switch things up and start on the left instead. It's yet another fun brain hack the cootie affords. I think all CW ops should make the rounds and use every keying method, even switching left and right hands. It builds new brain pathways that could possibly counteract age-related cognitive impairment.
I did notice that you did not do left right left right on every dot dash...a number of dots/dashs were repeated on the same side. But hey impressive! I cant do it!
@@jack002tuber I noticed the same thing. That is not how it is supposed to be done. A carry over from practicing with a bug or paddle. I am not sure if every new character starts with index finger (how I tend to do it) or if every new character starts with the opposite of the last finger used.
This from a paper on the web on cootie techique... This is important: Every character begins with the index finger! Therefore the 1st, 3rd, and 5th elements of a character are made with the index finger (symbol: I). Conversely the 2nd, 4th, and 6th element, whether a dit or a dah, will be made by the thumb (symbol: T). Remember, don't think dots and dashes, just think about the sound of each letter or word in the code.
I see you are using the modified sideswiper method which starts with the same finger that you would use on a bug or keyer, that way you keep your ability to send on those other keys. I gave myself a final exam of sending the alphabet and numbers, just repeating them until I could send them correctly. 73 de N1EA
when i finally understood the difference i was shocked... just getting interested in this.. im curious what the easiest one to start with? is it different for everyone? im leaning toward the bug.. great video.. ty
A bug or cootie will be more difficult to begin on than a straight key or paddle with a keyer, but with patience you should be able to become comfortable using either.
What you learn on first will always seem easiest. My Elmer told me to learn on a straight key and play with the others when you need to go faster. I still use a straight key. The Cootie is the only other form I'm interested in. No need for a keyer and the ability to go at any speed. Bugs don't do slow (easily) and you may not always have a keyer at your disposal in an emergency.
Cooties - There are various techniques and, apparently, no agreement on what is right or wrong. You're starting each letter just as one would on a bug or paddles with dots on the thumb and dashes on the finger. Probably makes the shift between cooties and bug/keyers a bit easier.
I really didn't practice long enough to get the hang of it. Cootie operators have as distinct a sound as bug operators IMO. The dits sound longish compared to their dahs to me.
Copied that just fine. Not perfect but would be able to copy that over the air no problem. If you can get that far in an hour, keep going and you will have it cracked in no time.
Hah, afflict people. Yes, I'm planning to do the same and give one of these a try. That was very easy to copy. Timing wasn't exact but it was plenty good enough and far better than many of the fists I hear on the air. Nice job. 73 de KW2P
Yes, they are great products for portable operation. There are lots of plastic paddles available on e$ay now but I haven't tried them out yet. The one downside for the Palm products is the proprietary cable connection.
I first came across the sideswiper on a Russian ship in the 70s. I found it very useful for sending number groups, as in OBS (weather report) messages. I also wondered why Russian radio operators were so much better, faster and clearer, than most of us. Reduces the likelyhood of Carpel Tunnel syndrome/CTS/Glass arm, or W@nker's Cramp, if you prefer. I liberated it and have it at home. Transition from standard to sideswiper took an hour or two. What amazes me is that in 3 years in Radio College, it was never mentioned. Good video. Thanks.
If you don't mind, I have a comment/tip! I don't know if you're still practicing, but I've been trying to learn to receive off and on for years (I know), and in the mean time I've become quite adept at using a cootie. (Sending isn't really the problem, it's receiving, which is why I'm waiting before trying to make contacts on the air...)
Anyway, the best tip I can give you is to stop pinching. It's vital to keep your thumb and forefinger at a set distance to get a nice flow. Also, the farther apart they are, the shorter the dits compared to the spaces. This is why you don't really want the contact points adjusted too tight. Mine are really loose at about 3mm and that works well. Here's a URL to an mp3 file with my CQ if you'd like to listen! (Click download audio) sndup.net/5gz7
Great video! I recently bought a cootie key and wasn't quite sure I was operating it correctly. Thanks for posting this!
Nice fist, OM. A lot of cootie ops drag out the dah, making the code sound mushy and hard to discern. I put a lot of effort into getting the dit and dah proportions correct. It's one of the fun challenges of the cootie key after clearing the initial rhythm hurdles.
Regarding the starting on the right side issue, it's only natural. Most of us send CQ, which starts on the right with paddles and bugs. I find myself almost always starting with my index finger, so I periodically switch things up and start on the left instead. It's yet another fun brain hack the cootie affords.
I think all CW ops should make the rounds and use every keying method, even switching left and right hands. It builds new brain pathways that could possibly counteract age-related cognitive impairment.
Where did you get the heavy green metal base?
Very good, especially when one considers the short period of time you've practiced!
I never played with one. It looks like you’re starting dots from the left, and dashes from the right. Good order with a paddle..
Cooties were something little girls had......LOL. Thanks for the vid......I've been a Ham Op for over 50-years, and now I know what a REAL Cootie is!
I did notice that you did not do left right left right on every dot dash...a number of dots/dashs were repeated on the same side. But hey impressive! I cant do it!
Agreed. My sideswiper technique needs a lot of work
I also noticed that the first part if it was a dit started with thumb, if a dah started with finger. I don't know if that's wrong. Interesting.
@@jack002tuber I noticed the same thing. That is not how it is supposed to be done. A carry over from practicing with a bug or paddle. I am not sure if every new character starts with index finger (how I tend to do it) or if every new character starts with the opposite of the last finger used.
This from a paper on the web on cootie techique...
This is important: Every character begins with the index finger! Therefore the 1st, 3rd, and 5th elements of a character are made with the index finger (symbol: I). Conversely the 2nd, 4th, and 6th element, whether a dit or a dah, will be made by the thumb (symbol: T). Remember, don't think dots and dashes, just think about the sound of each letter or word in the code.
I see you are using the modified sideswiper method which starts with the same finger that you would use on a bug or keyer, that way you keep your ability to send on those other keys. I gave myself a final exam of sending the alphabet and numbers, just repeating them until I could send them correctly. 73 de N1EA
Nice job! Some of us live at really terrible. LOL
Thanks for making me feel like a spaz!
when i finally understood the difference i was shocked... just getting interested in this.. im curious what the easiest one to start with? is it different for everyone? im leaning toward the bug.. great video.. ty
A bug or cootie will be more difficult to begin on than a straight key or paddle with a keyer, but with patience you should be able to become comfortable using either.
@@HamRadioQRP ok.. thank you for responding!
What you learn on first will always seem easiest. My Elmer told me to learn on a straight key and play with the others when you need to go faster. I still use a straight key. The Cootie is the only other form I'm interested in. No need for a keyer and the ability to go at any speed. Bugs don't do slow (easily) and you may not always have a keyer at your disposal in an emergency.
Wow! FB copy. I tried using my paddles as a cootie and I sucked, HIHI. Think I'll stick with a J-38 for SKCC sprints. 73 de N6MGN
Cooties - There are various techniques and, apparently, no agreement on what is right or wrong. You're starting each letter just as one would on a bug or paddles with dots on the thumb and dashes on the finger. Probably makes the shift between cooties and bug/keyers a bit easier.
I really didn't practice long enough to get the hang of it. Cootie operators have as distinct a sound as bug operators IMO. The dits sound longish compared to their dahs to me.
@@HamRadioQRP I've begun learning cootie - it is tough to get the dots short enough for well-formed Morse Code. I had less trouble learning the bug.
@@HamRadioQRP I can't bug at all. Straight key or Cootie for me. But no matter what, it sounds like my left foot.
Copied that just fine. Not perfect but would be able to copy that over the air no problem. If you can get that far in an hour, keep going and you will have it cracked in no time.
Maybe someday. For now, Ill stick to my straight key
Excellent! Definitely keep it up.
Copy your Code no problem, I am thinking of trying something other than my straight key, so will give side swiper a go
You can make one with a hacksaw blade.
So with this one you set the length of the dahs and dits and not the key, correct? That wasn't clear.
Ah, I thought so. Thank you for the reply and the demonstration! :-)
Sounds good to me - M0JDB
Hah, afflict people. Yes, I'm planning to do the same and give one of these a try. That was very easy to copy. Timing wasn't exact but it was plenty good enough and far better than many of the fists I hear on the air. Nice job. 73 de KW2P
cooty is the key im most interested in
I'm giving up german lessons. There are better and more unique skills I can achieve in my life.
Too bad Palm went out of business, no longer available.
Yes, they are great products for portable operation. There are lots of plastic paddles available on e$ay now but I haven't tried them out yet. The one downside for the Palm products is the proprietary cable connection.
Bit odd innit it
It is really interesting
FB! You have Cooties!
More than half that video was taken up by you explaining the difference!. Not a dot or dit to be heard. You could have demonstrated the difference!!
Most Interesting thank you Trig GM4NNC
If today were le last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today? very good!! 73 de PY2WQ