so ive been trying to get into CW for a few months now and i finally passed my extra but honestly the code is still giving me grief. im using an old Bencher BY-1 paddle i picked up at a hamfest and a Winkeyer USB running into my rig. the problem is it just doesnt feel... natural i guess? like when im copying is fine, im doing about 15wpm solid on the straight stuff but when i actually have to send something my brain just locks up and i start squeezing wrong or the spacing comes out all weird.

i watched some videos about iambic mode A vs mode B and i honestly cant tell which one im using or which one would feel better. is there a way to tell without digging into the manual? and does it actually matter that much for a beginner or am i overthinking this

also my paddle tension feels really light, almost too light. i adjusted it a bit but im not sure what "right" feels like since ive never used another paddle before. appreciate any help here

the iambic A vs B thing trips up a lot of people and honestly for where you're at right now it probably doesnt matter much. most guys i know just pick one and stick with it until it becomes muscle memory. mode A is a bit more forgiving if you're still working on squeeze timing, mode B can feel a little more predictable once you get used to it. i ran mode A for years before i ever even thought about switching.

the tension thing though — that i'd pay attention to. too light and you'll accidentally key stuff all over the place especially if you're tense when sending. try cranking it up just a hair more than feels comfortable. sounds counterintuitive but it gives your fingers something to push against and actually slows down the accidental contacts. give yourself a few sessions with it and see if it smooths out. also just keep sending, even if it sounds terrible to you. send call signs, send random words, send whatever. the muscle memory has to come from somewhere

yeah i had basically the same problem when i was starting out. what helped me was slowing way down, like embarrassingly slow, maybe 10 or 12 wpm, and just sending the same stuff over and over until my hands stopped thinking about it. your brain can copy faster than your hands can send for a while and thats totally normal i think. the Winkeyer is a solid choice btw so its probably not the gear its just time and reps honestly