++++++++++++++++ See also Paddles Small Lightweight Keys ++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 08:18:44 -0700 From: Phil Wheeler Organization: Outstanding To: Timothy Fiebig Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Thanks & Question Timothy Fiebig wrote: >I was wondering what type of paddles the K1 and K2 >owners are using, especially for portable use. Any >comments, likes and dislikes would be appreciated. > > After trying quite a few (a local ham has a big collection and has loaned me his to try), I ended up with two Schurrs. The larger model is used for my base station and the smaller for camping. I also own a Jones paddle (well-built and heavy, but the mechanism seems stiff to me) and a Marsh (very nice but I have trouble keeping it in adjustment); the Jones was my first and the Marsh I bought used at a good price. And I own two backpackable paddles -- the Paddlette and the one made in Germany (I'm coming up with Palm paddle, but that may not be right); but I seldom backpack with a radio, since I go for light weight backpacking and most metal objects I carry are titanium. Pretty much I only use the Schurrs now. I think there are photos of them (and ordering info) at Morse Express. 73, Phil ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Sandy W5TVW" To: "Timothy Fiebig" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Thanks & Question Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 10:20:44 -0500 Paddles are a problem. I have a homebrewed one made from 1/16" double clad PC board stock that is highly portable. I also have a "Bulldog" paddle, but it is not very durable. Works great but too delicate for rough and tumble use. I have repaired it a couple of times and it has become very unreliable now. I would not buy another one. I have been looking at the "Palm paddle". At the fixed station I use a Vibroplex Vibrokeyer paddle, but it is much too heavy for carrying around in the field! My 2 cents worth. 73, Sandy W5TVW +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 09:25:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Harry Yingst Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Thanks & Question To: Timothy Fiebig , elecraft at mailman.qth.net The Kent Twin Paddles are the best in my opinion there around $150.00 assembled and even less in Kit form. They provide for a very solid feel. They are a little smaller than a set of benchers (but in my opinion a lot better made), plus a lot more rugged for portable use. They are a bit on the heavy side so they don't slide around either. Well worth there price, but not over priced! -- snip -- > > I was wondering what type of paddles the K1 and K2 > owners are using, especially for portable use. Any > comments, likes and dislikes would be appreciated. > > Thanks again, > > 73 > > Tim/K2TF ===== Harry - AB2PN +++++++++++++++ From: "Dave" To: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Thanks & Question Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 17:45:21 +0100 Palm mini paddles are nice, I prefer mine to RA Kent paddles (especially as they are very light for portable use). They can be stuck to the bench with "Blu Tac" or similar fixative. Dave, G4AON www.astromag.co.uk/k2/ +++++++++++++++ From: "Dave" To: Cc: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Thanks & Question Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 22:01:23 +0100 It's a blue coloured, non setting temporary sticky material. Normally you roll it into a small ball and stick photographs, notices, etc. to walls and notice boards with it. Dave ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Rock" To: ; "Dave" Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 6:30 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Thanks & Question > What, pray tell, is Blu Tac? > Kevin. KD5ONS +++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 10:37:14 -0700 From: Bob Nielsen To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Thanks & Question Based on some earlier messages on this list, I bought the Begali "simplex" paddle , which is about half the price of the Schurr "Profi". I am extremely pleased with it and will probably sell my Bencher at the next hamfest. The shipping from Italy was quick and inexpensive with no customs problems. 73, Bob N7XY ++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 18:52:08 +0100 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Trevor Day Reply-To: Trev at secornwall.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Which paddle for my K2? Hi Cornel, After using a whole range of paddles including homebrew over the past 30 years I can honestly say that my Schurr Profi is by far the best I have used. They are a little expensive, but the quality of construction is first class; they look good too :-) I can't see me using anything else in future. gl Trev G3ZYY ++++++++++++++++ From: "WQ8Q" To: , "C. van Ravenswaaij" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Which paddle for my K2? Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 14:21:26 -0400 Don't know much about the Begali magnetic classic, but I've got the Begali Simplex and it's my favorite paddle. I also have a Kent TP1, a TenTec (Vibroplex)Iambic Paddle, and a GHD Optical, which was my favorite until the Begali. Been using the Begali Simplex for almost 9 months, and it has yet to go out of adjustment! Nicely made and the price is right! Let us know what you come up with! 73 de Rick, WQ8Q +++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 14:29:00 -0400 From: James1787 at aol.com To: wq8q at earthlink.net, elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Which paddle for my K2? My trusty benchers have always been a good set. I have also seen a nifty set of paddles on http://www.americanmorse.com that are fairly tiny and have a nice feel to them. When I pick up a K1 down the road, I'll probably get a set of those paddles, otherwise my benchers are just fine. I just have the plain benchers... no chrome or gold. My real key of choice is the Vibroplex Bug, but thats a bit off topic. Good luck! 73 de James, KB2FCV K2 # 2735 +++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 11:39:21 -0700 From: Bob Nielsen To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Which paddle for my K2? On Tue, May 27, 2003 at 02:21:26PM -0400, WQ8Q wrote: > Don't know much about the Begali magnetic classic, but I've got the Begali > Simplex and it's my favorite paddle. -- snip -- > > 73 de Rick, WQ8Q I'll second that recommendation. The Begali Simplex is a great paddle which can be adjusted for just about whatever spacing and resistance you could desire. I bought mine several months ago based on a recommendation on this list and am quite pleased with it. My Bencher is going to the next hamfest. 73, Bob N7XY +++++++++++++++ From: "Trevor Jacobs" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net, cortec at wanadoo.nl Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Which paddle for my K2? Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 11:49:33 -0700 Hi Cornel I concur with Trevor. I just got a Shurr Profi-2 from Morse Express, and it's by far the best paddle that I've ever owned. It's a bit pricy, but worth every penny. 73's Trev KG6CYN http://www.qsl.net/kg6cyn ++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 18:47:05 -0400 From: Buddy Brannan To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Which paddle for my K2? Reply-To: Buddy Brannan You might also check out the Te-Ne-Key...heck, it's slightly less than $40. It's surprisingly easy to use and comfortable...I even use mine at home on my desk. Course, I'll probably get something else at some point, but as I say, this thing's really nice, especially considering the price and size (I can easily fit it into a pocket). http://www.qsl.net/noarc +++++++++++++++ Reply-To: n5qq at arrl.net From: "Ron Chambers" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Which paddle for my K2? Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 16:22:19 -0500 No doubt, the Schurr Profi-2 is in a league of its own. Just got mine two weeks ago. No contest between, Vibroplex, Bencher, Jones, HamKey...and with a little hesitancy, even better than my long time favorite Kent (which gets my Second Place vote). But I haven't tried the Mecury (and at $450 I probably won't) 73 Ron N5QQ ++++++++++++++++ From: "Ulrich H. Steinberg" To: Date: Fri, 30 May 2003 17:06:01 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] The Ultimate Iambic Paddle for us Piero Begali, I2RTF, has designed what I feel to be the ultimate iambic paddle for portable use. I had some influence on the design and had an opportunity to try a prototype for several weeks. It is a compact folding design that expands to provide stability. It is heavy enough to stay put on a desk, but it also has provisions to strap it to your leg. It is a magnetic iambic paddle with all the ingredients that have made Piero's keys a legend by now. I have published a more detailed review on eHam (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3342) or you can also go to Piero's website for more details: http://www.i2rtf.com. These paddles are not inexpensive, but if you want the very best they are without peers. ++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 08:30:13 -0700 (PDT) From: Rich Lim Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re: The Ultimate Iambic Paddle for us To: WQ8Q , elecraft at mailman.qth.net I agree with Rick. I have Piero's Magnetic Classic Key and had NO problems with the ordering process. He is rather slow in answering emails, but, always did and furthermore charged my CC only when he shipped the key. Rich KQ9L WQ8Q wrote: Hmmm. And I've had no problem whatsoever ordering from Pietro! And I'm looking forward to getting the new QRP paddles! 73 de Rick, WQ8Q +++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 16:56:34 +0000 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Larry Cahoon Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Re: The Ultimate Iambic Paddle for us Seems to me that when you order from someone doing this on the side as a one person operation that delays are sometimes to be expected. Piero's up front on his web page - the key are not always available - you have to check. That certainly is a hint that getting one may take some time. When I read the announcement of the QRP key my first reaction was that with the volume on the list just having the announcement made there would mean I would end up waiting in line in if I ordered one of his keys. When that happens there is always a tension between what the seller thinks is a reasonable delay in getting back to someone and what the purchaser thinks is reasonable. ISP problems and blocking by AOL and others would only make the problem worst. If you thing that is what is causing the delays in getting to Piero get yourself a yahoo or a hotmail account and keep it only as long as it takes to get through to him. I ordered two keys form G4ZPY almost two years ago. He was up front and estimated that it would take five months to get them. I bought into that. He has had health problems, so I knew I would have to patient. And I told him more than once that me getting the keys was not nearly as important as his health. In the end I got the first key after six months, the second took almost a year. I had to initiate the e-mail when things seemed to getting behind his schedule, but he always replied and didn't charge for the credit card until just prior to sending the keys. Now I'm going to have to think about getting one or two of Piero's keys. If I do it will put me in as a collector as I sure don't need another key. After all I have a Schurr hooked up to the K1 a G4ZPY to the K2, another Schurr to the big rig, and another G4ZPY for portable use. Then there is the Kent I use for field day. Since they all get used I have been able to rationalize as not yet being a collector. The xyl would not agree. But then she has her own collections. 73 de Larry...........WD3P in MD http://www.wd3p.net/ At 08:30 AM 5/31/2003 -0700, you wrote: >I agree with Rick. I have Piero's Magnetic Classic Key and had NO problems >with the ordering process. He is rather slow in answering emails, but, >always did and furthermore charged my CC only when he shipped the key. >Rich >KQ9L >WQ8Q wrote: >Hmmm. And I've had no problem whatsoever ordering from Pietro! >And I'm looking forward to getting the new QRP paddles! > >73 de Rick, WQ8Q ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Ulrich H. Steinberg" To: Date: Sun, 1 Jun 2003 08:26:17 -0400 Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Begali vs Schurr I have used the Schurr Profi II and the Begali (Magnetic and Simplex) for quite some time, and the Begali's are the clear winners although the Schurr is a top notch key. This is why: - the Schurr is made from varnished brass, and over time oxidation will creep through small cracks in that layer and cause dark spots and marks. The Begali's are gold or palladium plated and won't have that problem. - the Schurr has a single adjustment for both paddles, while the Begali's have independent adjustments for both sides. - the Begali's use sealed precision bearings which are smoother than the needle bearings of the Schurr. The Begali Simplex, in terms of "feel", is similar to the Schurr, but the Begali Magnetic feels more precise and is by far my favorite key. +++++++++++++++++