The Hensley Paddle: Move Over Mercury (originally posted on the cw reflector at qth.net)

I first 'met' Donald Hensley when he emailed [CW] to say he was working on a new paddle design, and to let him know if you were interested. I immediately perked up, and emailed him back, offering to help with any advice, or whatever else he might need-including a sight-unseen order. I was pretty sure that he knew what he was doing, and it sounded great! I have had mine now for about two weeks-and it IS great! This 'review' is going to be so positive, let me state up front, I paid full price for my Hensley.

When it finally arrived (SN: 002!!) it was gorgeous! It is difficult not to make Mercury-Hensley comparisons, and I won't do it a lot... but I had wondered how you could do better. First, there's the hexagonal top bearing block (I had to ask Donald what to call it.) It is one of the first and most striking things about a "Hensley". And if you don't know who made it, just look on top of the block. It is very deeply stamped, right into the block.

A truly top notch keyer has to have a deeply chromed finish. This one looks like it's a mile deep. The fit and finish everywhere is perfect. In a conversation via email, I learned that you had better stay out of the top-end paddle market if you cannot work to a 0.0002 tolerance on the bearing bores and shafts. I wouldn't know myself, but I can say that after several weeks of on-the-air workouts, I have never used a sounder, more well-made paddle. The proof there came in the ability to get the spacing down to nearly-nothing and still be sending as solidly as ever.

I really BANG a paddle, and so I had some concerns about the magnets, and whether they could really cut the mustard if I wanted truly hard return action. I started to closing the magnet-gap, while sending, looking for a plateau. Much to my surprise, I could actually achieve MUCH MORE return-force than I believe anyone could need or want. The converse works as well: the bearings Donald used are SO smooth, you can back-off the magnets to a VERY slight pull, and still have a clear, crisp return to position and feel.

Keys of this caliber are a rarity. There are simply not that many master machinists around who are willing to put the time and effort into what can only be called a labor of love. The cost of the materials, and the time and effort when the profit margin is not going to be that great requires something extra. I have always appreciated a craftsman and the products they make. The nice thing about this one is I get to use it as well-not just look at it. Donald told me he will have a batch ready in time for Christmas, but if you want to own one of these superb keys by then, I would get it ordered.

73

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Ed Tanton N4XY EMAIL: n4xy@att.net

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INTERESTS: QRP BoatAnchors Test Equipment Photography

CW: 99.9% Mercury Pad.# 0214 Hensley Pad.#002 QRP>150W: 95%

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"Think you can, think you can't: either way you're right!" Henry Ford