+++++++++++++++++++ See also Straight Keys +++++++++++++++++++ To: n3drk Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 16:11:52 -0700 (MST) From: cyr999 at extremezone.com Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Schurr ProfiII :-) 73/KB7OEX Tim Logan Quoting n3drk : > Im looking for a key for my k2. I use a bencher paddle on my kenwood > rig. > What are you guys doing out there for a key for the k2? > > john +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 16:32:47 -0700 To: "n3drk" , From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?=22D=2ER=2E_Weiss_KI=D8RP=22?= Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key John, I use the Palm mini-paddle with the magnetic mount. Using double-sided=20 tape, I've fastened a small (very lightweight) piece of steel to the top of= =20 the K2, and the Palm's magnets stick very tightly to the K2 while I am=20 keying. Palm mini-paddle with magnetic mount is $74.95 plus shipping, from= =20 Morse Express: http://www.mtechnologies.com/palm/ For more substantial paddles (recommended for mobile CW use), the Kent twin= =20 paddle, available as a kit from the manufacturer for =A362.50 plus shipping,= see: http://www.kent-engineers.cwc.net/index2.html Dave Weiss KI0RP K2 #2249 ++++++++++++++++++ From: JohnK1JD at aol.com Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 18:51:27 EST Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key To: cyr999 at extremezone.com, jshea1 at triad.rr.com Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net > Im looking for a key for my k2. I use a bencher paddle on my kenwood > rig. > What are you guys doing out there for a key for the k2? ------------------------ Bencher Mercury WBL V22 Schurr Portable Wabbler. Highly recommend the latter for portable operations. 73, John, K1JD Jamestown, RI K2's #139 & #583 ++++++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Ron D' Eau Claire" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] key Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 15:57:43 -0800 > Im looking for a key for my k2. I use a bencher paddle on my kenwood rig. > What are you guys doing out there for a key for the k2? > > john Golleeee... That's like asking a fellow whether a brunette or a blonde make a better wife! Well, for what it's worth, when I did use paddles I really liked my "Brass Racer" with the magnetic control of the tension. I have an original Scotia model but I understand the Vibroplex version maintained the same feel. Before that I had used an inexpensive "Ham Key" paddle mounted in my homebrew "AccuKeyer". They felt fine too, but were a lot fussier to get adjusted to my liking. Something like the basic "Ham Key" paddles are good if you are going portable. Some of the dedicated paddle users here can advise on some of the modern-day rugged paddle sets that are popular for banging around on field trips. For a real "key" I use a World War II vintage J-38 for a "hand pump" for QRS work and switch between a wonderful E.F. Johnson "Speed-X" and a Vibroplex Standard semi-automatic key (better known as "bugs") for a little more speed. I enjoy them so much my "paddles" are on display and the bugs and J-38 make the CW around here. Oh, yes...while we are at it, Cobi, the love of my life, is a brunette. Ron AC7AC K2 # 1289 +++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 19:10:11 -0500 From: "David A. Belsley" To: n3drk , elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key John: Question is whether you are looking for a set of paddles for home or portable use. For home use, at the risk of stepping on a bunch of toes, avoid the Bencher. It has got to be among the most highly overrated pieces of gear around. Its bushings are incapable of achieving a truly good setting (very small gap with very light pressure). The pin bearings can ride up on the nylon bushings causing the gap to stick in a closed position. Bencher has known this for years and seems to refuse to do anything about it. There are numerous decent paddles around. WBLs are super (but Stan no longer makes them). Kents are, I hear, excellent. And Bencher's Mercury paddles are supposed to be great, but few would be willing to toss out that kind of cash for paddles that are readily matched by less expensive items. I'm sure others will chime in with their favorites. If you are looking for /P paddles, the Palm mini paddles are something fine. Again, there are others that are, I am sure, just as good. We can expect some posts coming along to name them. The Palm mini paddles, however, when properly anchored are a joy to use (and far more dependable than Benchers). One thing is for sure, however: there is no need to put out big bucks to get a good set of paddles. best wishes, dave belsley, w1euy ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 16:21:38 -0800 From: Phil Wheeler Organization: Outstanding To: n3drk Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key n3drk wrote: >Im looking for a key for my k2. I use a bencher paddle on my kenwood rig. >What are you guys doing out there for a key for the k2? > I use a Schurr Proffi and a Schurr Portable Wabbler. Great keys -- the best, IMHO --, but the total price was over $500 (but I'm a bit of a collector of such things). The Palm key is small and good for portable use, as is the Paddlette. I think there is info/links re these two at the Elecraft web site. 73, Phil +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 19:09:28 +0000 From: Paul Hendershott To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key I use a MK-48 (by Whiterook Products) dual straight key/paddles for my K2 portable jaunts. I wired up 2 diodes per the elecraft manual in the underside compartment of the key/paddle housing and it works great for both straight key or paddles. This allows you to use only the paddles cable without the need to switch the two sep. cables. I much prefer my J-38 straight key over the MK-48 (operates with tiny plunger switch and is not adjustable) when operating at my home QTH, but the MK-48 is a nice durable combo with a rather tiny footprint for my occasional K2 field trips. Paul KB9YVP +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 21:32:18 -0500 To: From: Hank Kohl K8DD Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key At 2/12/02 05:24 PM -0500, n3drk wrote: >Im looking for a key for my k2. I use a bencher paddle on my kenwood rig. >What are you guys doing out there for a key for the k2? > >john A Palm mini paddle for portable. In the house either a Brown Brothers BTL-A or the Vibroplex Army Signal Corps type J-36 serial nr 77 bug. 73 Hank K8DD +++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: "John Moriarity" From: "John Moriarity" To: "n3drk" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 21:17:05 -0800 > Im looking for a key for my k2... G4ZPY "3-in-one" (kind of like a miniature Bencher). See his website. 72, John, K6QQ ++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Jerry Ford" To: Subject: Fw: [Elecraft] key Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 01:13:29 -0600 John: Depends on what you want to do. As many have stated, your decision rests on your choice of operation. There are some good paddles available for home use and for portable use. If you like your Bencher's, stick with them. They will be OK for general ragchew's as long as you are running 20 wpm and down. My personal opinion is in line with Dave. Bencher has a long way to go to build a paddle. I started on a set of Bencher's and moved up to a Vibroplex. Ran the Vibroplex ( and a host of others ) for awhile and moved up again to a G4ZPY. Gordon builds a REAL key that comes into its own as you move up above 35 wpm. Unfortunately, I understand he has fallen ill and is no longer filling orders. Paddles / keys are a funny thing. Personal preference is based on use and ability. For most folks interested in the occasional contest or a good ole regchew, many of todays market are well suited. If you want to go fast, and do it right, get your wallet out and DO IT RIGHT. 73 and happy hunting: Jerry N0JRN ++++++++++++++++++++++ Subject: Re: [Elecraft] key To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 17:17:49 +0000 (GMT) From: ehramm at dk3uz.shnet.org (Edmund H. Ramm) n3drk writes: > [...] > What are you guys doing out there for a key for the k2? At home Schurr "Profi" and Junker "M.T.", at large Schurr "Mini Portable". 73, Eddi ._._. -- email: ehramm AT dk3uz DOT shnet DOT org - AMPRNET: dk3uz at db0hht.ampr.org Linux/m68k, the best U**x ever to hit an Atari! ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 16:20:16 +0000 From: sonny smithson To: Jerry Ford Cc: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: Fw: [Elecraft] key Jerry, I try to keep my responses to a minim on the reflector but I can't resist this one. I have a Vibroplex code warrior, Vibroplex double paddle, and the Bencher double paddle. I actually prefer the Bencher to the other two. What are the mechanical characteristics that limit the Bencher to 20 wpm and under and the occasional ragchew? I haven't done a scientific analysis but I would guess 75% of the contacts I've had are with Benchers and most between 30 and 35 wpm. I am not knocking anyone who wants to spend as much for a paddle as their rig, go for it. It just seems to me this is another personal preference thing not backed up by any facts. For the average op a Bencher or any paddle that can be adjusted for close contact spacing and a light touch should suffice! 73 de Sonny...kg8wk K1-380 +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 10:57:35 -0500 From: "Mark J. Dulcey" To: sonny smithson Cc: Jerry Ford , Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: Fw: [Elecraft] key sonny smithson wrote: > Jerry, > I try to keep my responses to a minim on the reflector but I can't resist > this one. I have a Vibroplex code warrior, Vibroplex double paddle, and > the Bencher double paddle. I actually prefer the Bencher to the other > two. What are the mechanical characteristics that limit the Bencher to > 20 wpm and under and the occasional ragchew? I haven't done a scientific > analysis but I would guess 75% of the contacts I've had are with Benchers > and most between 30 and 35 wpm. > I am not knocking anyone who wants to spend as much for a paddle as their > rig, go for it. It just seems to me this is another personal preference > thing not backed up by any facts. For the average op a Bencher or any > paddle that can be adjusted for close contact spacing and a light touch > should suffice! The question seems to be "how close" and "how light"? Some operators seem to prefer a paddle adjusted to activate if you breathe hard on it (slight exaggeration for dramatic effect, but very close and very light); the Bencher isn't sufficiently precise to work well adjusted that way. Some of the other paddles people have mentioned, like the Schurr, are better if that's what you want. I prefer to set my paddles up with just a bit of movement (basically, just enough so that I can feel the paddle move when I touch it), and my Bencher works just fine that way. I like it better than my Palm mini-paddle (which feels a bit mushy for my taste), but the Palm is what I take on field operations (the Bencher is HEAVY!). So, yes, it's yet another example of personal preference. Bencher is a good place for many hams to start, because you're almost certain to know somebody who has one, and can therefore try it out for free to see if it suits you. (And, if that fails, you can pick one up inexpensively at a hamfest near you.) But there is no one paddle to rule the world. ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: 15 Feb 2002 16:18:10 -0800 From: "Jim and Kate" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] G4ZPY Hi All: I wrote Gordon in Bonnie England who builds the famous G4ZPY paddle. His health is not good, but he is still in business and still making a great unit. I ordered one, from him, about two years ago. There is nothing to it with VISA or Master Card and he doesn't debit your account until it is shipped. They paddles are really cheap if you compare them to some of the paddles offered here. 73, Jim K7JIH K2 #1302 ++++++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Ron D' Eau Claire" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] G4ZPY Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 20:59:43 -0800 > BTW .. I think Morse Express sells his keys, too. According to the Morse Express web site, they no longer carry his keys because, according to their announcement, Gordon has been unwell and unable to supply them. They are available through Gordon's own site at http://website.lineone.net/~g4zpy/index.htm Nice looking keys. Too bad he doesn't include a real "bug" in the lineup Ron AC7AC K2 # 1289 ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 22:28:35 -0800 From: "Rick Tavan" Organization: TIBCO Software Inc. To: "Kirby J. Davis" Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Key, Keyer, Paddle etc. Recommendation? I have been in love with CW for 41 years. My favorite paddle is the Bencher. It comes in three finish grades starting around $110 and they all feel the same. I think it's the best tradeoff between price and feel. I have two. They are also available used - but make sure the mechanism is sound. It holds up better than you would think by looking at it. Don't panic the first time the ring gizmo falls off its pivot points - just gently pull it back into place. I also like the Norcal magnetic paddle which I built from the club kit (typically these are available only once). Smaller, if that's a value, and sturdier. It needs double sided tape under the feet unless you have a pretty delicate touch. I think you can get them today ready built from Vibroplex. They call it the Code Warrior but it's not priced on their Website. Should be under $100 but who knows? The Kent paddle is built like a battleship and has nicely adjustable magnetic tension. Expensive and personally I don't like the lack of "give" beyond the point of first contact. I bought one because I admired the machining but sold it because I hated sending with it. There are dozens of other serious paddles such as the Vibroplex Iambic Deluxe or Brass Racer, the Mercury (BIG bucks) and the beautiful brass one that Wayne and Eric take to hamfests. I've forgotten its name but it feels quite good. Probably expensive, but I may buy one some day for my collection. ;-) There are lots of nifty new paddles coming out of the QRP/homebrew movement and I own several. Most are very small and much too light unless you hard-mount them to something heavy or stationary. Nice toys, good for travel, not for serious CW. Don't get any single-lever paddle. Insist on dual lever. You don't have to take advantage of iambic keying with them, but you can't with single-lever. I waited 25 years before forcing myself to learn iambic keying and I still regress from time to time but it's clearly a speed-enhancing technique worth learning when you are good and ready. Straight keys are very romantic but you'll outgrow them for speed very quickly if you are serious about CW. Use them only for Straight Key Night! Everything above is in the category of religious fervor. There are more opinions than there are CW operators. Now you've got mine! To study the field, check the sporadic but never-ending series of articles on keys in K4TWJ's World of Ideas column in CQ Magazine. He loves them all. GL & 73, /Rick N6XI "Kirby J. Davis" wrote: > OK... now for a really stupid question... > > Now that I've about finished the base rig what do I do about a key or > keyer or paddle...? -- snip -- +++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 09:35:29 -0500 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Benjy Cline AC4XO Subject: [Elecraft] Paddles for K1, K2 Greetings, A little off subject: I plugged my iambic paddle into my K2 for the first time and tried to send my call. It didn't come out right. I tried again. I couldn't do the "C". Then, enlightenment: The K2 defaults to Curtis mode A. If you've only used mode B, you can't send worth a hoot in mode A :-) I use a Kent paddle. I bought it at Dayton as a kit which saved me a few bucks. All you have to do with the kit is screw all the parts together and solder connectors on the cable. The average ham could do it in 20 minutes. I like the feel of the Kent. 72 de Benjy --- Benjy Cline AC4XO, K2 S/N 2434 http://www.tuxcat.com/benjy ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 08:53:29 -0600 To: "Kirby J. Davis" From: "Timothy A. Raymer" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Key, Keyer, Paddle etc. Recommendation? Cc: Elecraft Reflector Kirby, Not a stupid question, by any means. I have a couple of different paddles, and have used several others. The one that I use in my mobile, and several on the list use with their K2, is located on this web page: http://www.palm-radio.de They make one that is Elecraft Grey, and works really well for a reasonable price. And they don't take up a lot of space. I would recommend getting a decent piece of board, and mount your J30 and your Palm paddle on it. Then you can send with a straight key or the paddle with your K2. The manual and the web site have information on how to wire them up so they work correctly with each other. A gentle hand, patience, and lots of contacts on the QRP frequencies will get you "up to speed," whatever speed you are comfortable with, in no time. Good luck! Tim Raymer 73 de KA0OUV K2 #1383 ++++++++++++++++++ Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Key, Keyer, Paddle etc. Recommendation? Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 11:39:23 -0500 To: "\"D.R. Weiss KI=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=d8RP\"?=" , "Kirby J. Davis" , "Elecraft Reflector" From: Bill Coleman On 3/20/02 11:37 PM, "D.R. Weiss KI=D8RP" at ki0rp at arrl.net wrote: >Kirby, here's one CW op's opinion: > >2. IF you want to spend a lot of time SENDING CW, I would get some >paddles, since (a) the K2 has a built-in keyer, and (b) paddles are a LOT >less tiring than a straight key. I just wanted to add that, back in the "old" days, beginning CW operators use a straight key. It usually wasn't until they "graduated" to speeds of about 15 wpm or higher that they moved to a bug or a keyer. It is possible to send code at 10-20 wpm comfortably with a straight key. There's a great article in 73 magazine in 1972 (I think it was the February issue) that talks about proper use of a straight key and avoiding "glass arm". The key is to use a relatively wide spacing and a rather sloppy feel to the pivot. This gives a lot of feedback. Another idea is to weight the key. (photograph if a can of Spam wired to the key arm. But, if you have QSOs much above 15 wpm, you'll likely want to use a keyer. Unfortunately, paddles are outrageously expensive. I mean, you can buy a whole QRP rig for the price of most paddles. You either have to bite the bullet and spend about $100 for a set of paddles, or try to make your own. If you're handy, you could probably build a passible set of paddles out of PC board material. There have been plenty of articles on this in the past. You could also take TWO straight keys and hook them up back to back as paddles. Good luck! Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 +++++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Steve Jackson" To: Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 22:12:20 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] interesting Morse key I don't have one of these, yet, but it sure looks interesting: http://fingertiptapper.com/elecraft.htm It appears to be a dual membrane switch, in a card-sized magnet, wired to be an iambic key. I also assume the 1/8" stereo plug shown in the picture is configured to operate with the K1/K2 paddle input. I corresponded via e-mail with the site owner, N2CAU, and apparently he owns both a K1 and K2 ... so I also assume that this is how he keys his rigs. I have no pecuniary interest in the product. Just sharing the website URL, which I first found on the NJQRP site. ++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 21:59:36 -0700 From: Tim and Nancy Logan Reply-To: cyr999 at extremezone.com To: W7MPZ at aol.com Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Key f/u/w K1 Dick - I mounted the Palm Mini-Paddle on a small piece of 1/4" steel with rubber slip guards on the bottom. This works quite well to stabilize the paddle yet still keep a small footprint. An alternative is to use the plastic mounting base that comes with the paddle and mount it right on the K1. Either way, the paddle itself is very good for its purpose and I would recommend it. It's only flaw is the somewhat delicate connection between the paddle and its cable. 73/Tim Logan NZ7C W7MPZ at aol.com wrote: > > Thinking of purchasing a key f/u/w the K1 during portable use. Looking at > the Palm Mini-Paddle. Would appreciate comments from some who are using the > Palm Mini-Paddle, mounting, ruggedness and overall satisfaction. Thanks in > advance. > > 73, Dick - W7MPZ +++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 21:32:40 -0700 (PDT) From: Jessie Oberreuter To: W7MPZ at aol.com Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Key f/u/w K1 On Wed, 17 Apr 2002 W7MPZ at aol.com wrote: > Thinking of purchasing a key f/u/w the K1 during portable use. Looking at > the Palm Mini-Paddle. Would appreciate comments from some who are using the > Palm Mini-Paddle, mounting, ruggedness and overall satisfaction. Thanks in > advance. I have a Palm mini-paddle, and it's a fine key! I'd actually rate it better than my Bencher paddles in terms of action and feel. The Palm is just a wee bit too small, tho, to be my regular desk paddles :). The paddles-in-tube thang works REALLY well, and they are most rugged. The connector, however, leaves something to be desired. It's just a 3-pin edge connector. If you plug and un-plug often, you'll prolly want to replace the cable side connector with a right angle connector mounted to a small piece of perf board. I really wish they had just integrated a mini-stereo jack... Plenty of no-drill options for mounting. My portable key of choice has actually become a re-worked DK1WE Twinkey. Alas, it took forever to get my first one (the first one sent got lost in the mail), and I've been trying for months to get another :(. Out of the box, I'd rate them pretty low (nearly useless). After taking it apart, replacing the spacers, adding a wire washer to change the bolt tension, and gluing down the finger pads, I give the little guys a near perfect 10. I'd love to get one with locked down brass finger pads as well. Maybe not as pretty or comfy as the wood, but they would be nearly indestructable :). -- Jessie Oberreuter joberreu at moselle.com "He's a bit on edge, Mr. Johnston -- he hasn't slept since 1945." ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 06:42:33 -0400 To: W7MPZ at aol.com From: Charles Greene Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Key f/u/w K1 Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net At 10:07 PM 4/17/2002 -0400, W7MPZ at aol.com wrote: >Thinking of purchasing a key f/u/w the K1 during portable use. Looking at >the Palm Mini-Paddle. Would appreciate comments from some who are using the >Palm Mini-Paddle, mounting, ruggedness and overall satisfaction. Thanks in >advance. > >73, Dick, I got one for my K2 for portable use. Works good. Nice paddle. I mounted it on a plywood base that the K2 sits on. Must be better ways for backpacking, so you don't have to carry the base around with you. 73, Chas, W1CG ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 12:05:22 -0400 From: K9OZ at aol.com To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: Re: [Elecraft] Key f/u/w K1 I use both the Palm and Bulldog paddles. Both have a surprisingly great feel, and I'm picky about paddles. I have a Kent on my desk running the K2. I currently have the Palm screwed to a block of wood that is stuck in a cupholder and makes a great mobile paddle. I retired it as a portable paddle when the wiring on the plug came loose while I was in Australia, putting an end to VK2IVF/K9OZ's cw work. Now I travel with two Bulldogs, one as a backup. With their low price, I can afford the redundancy. ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Dave Johnson" To: Cc: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Key f/u/w K1 Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 19:23:49 +0100 >Thinking of purchasing a key f/u/w the K1 during portable use. Looking at >the Palm Mini-Paddle. Would appreciate comments from some who are using the >Palm Mini-Paddle, mounting, ruggedness and overall satisfaction. Thanks in >advance. Dick I use a Palm Mini-Paddle at home, never mind portable. They are quite tough and don't need adjustment. I would suggest making a spare lead as the 3 pin connector to the key is quite vulnerable to rough handling. A neighbour doesn't like the feel of the Palm compared to his Bencher, but it's just a matter of getting used to a different key. You will need "Blu-Tac" or similar to fix it to your bench. 73's Dave, G4AON K1 #1154, K2 #1892 +++++++++++++++++ From: To: "Elecraft" Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 08:37:15 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] CW Hi There is a iambic key available in France at the moment -and in Europe also, as it's Spanish made -, very nicely made, gold plated (!), and it perfectly fits my K2. Price: around 77 euros, about 76 dollars.I bought it from "Megahertz Magazine" Shop. I think one could buy it from the States. If anyone is interested, here's their e-mail: redaction at megahertz-magazine.com . And now, after the K807, why not a K3-500ZG...? 73 to all from Jim F9OJ +++++++++++++++++++ From: To: "Elecraft" Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 18:26:23 +0200 Subject: [Elecraft] RE CW hello Phil My key is a double paddle made by Llaves Telegraficas Artesanas. They're distributed in the US by Morse Express .My model is worth 74.95 dollars. Their web site is: www.morsex.com/new.htm . (Thanks, Internet..!) Have a look, they have a lot of stuff. 73 Jim f9oj K2 # 0937 ++++++++++++++