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Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

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dw-4

Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

I agree with the others on the moving paddle syndrome. :-]
Over the years, I've had a number of units with a 3 or 4 lbs base.
On the light extreme, I had a Schurr warbler that would slide off the
bench if you breathed on it!

The heavy ones are less prone to move around, but sometimes it happens.
I have a Begali Graciella Jr that I might be willing to part with.
It takes some serious adrenaline to make that baby move.

I set my paddles up to the closes contact distance as possible without
false keying.
For some strange reason, paddle contact noise really irritates me.
Was using a touch paddle on a 4 pound steel block for a while.
If you get the chance, check out the Kent paddle.
The plastic paddles on that unit are heavier than most...gives one a
really nice tactile sense.
And it sits on soft rubber feet where many paddles today have small
plastic tabs glued on which are prone to slipping around.
I'm using the Begali Simplex Basic with the cover over it these days
sitting on a non-skid pad.

May the Force be with....your finger tips!! :-D
N1BBR
--
[hidden email]

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

A good point, often the feet on a paddle are hard rubber which offers
little traction to the desk top. As rubber ages it tends to harden as
well. Those with softer rubber feet and keeping those clean to prevent
dirt and wax buildup are much more prone to stay put.

If you clean your your desk top with a furniture polish, the wax in the
polish will eventually adhere to the feet and make them less effective
in holding power. I use 91% Isopropyl alcohol {found at the local
pharmacy} and a soft cloth to clean rubber parts. All the black that
rubs off is dead rubber.

If your key or paddle happens to have hard or rigid "plastic"
feet......... replace them with something else........not plastic. Also
I find may of the new silicone stick-on pads used to protect table tops
get slick after a period of time. Just like vehicle tires, softer
rubber gets better traction.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 10/16/2015 9:23 AM, dw wrote:
> And it sits on soft rubber feet where many paddles today have small
> plastic tabs glued on which are prone to slipping around.

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Pete Smith N4ZR

Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

In reply to this post by dw-4

FWIW,I use Lok-Tite Fun-Tak mounting putty from Home Depot. Ir holds
very well, but when peeled off my wood desk, it comes off cleanly and
can be repositioned and reused.

73, Pete N4ZR
Download the new N1MM Logger+ at
<http://N1MM.hamdocs.com>. Check
out the Reverse Beacon Network at
<http://reversebeacon.net>, now
spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 10/16/2015 10:23 AM, dw wrote:

> I agree with the others on the moving paddle syndrome. :-]
> Over the years, I've had a number of units with a 3 or 4 lbs base.
> On the light extreme, I had a Schurr warbler that would slide off the
> bench if you breathed on it!
>
> The heavy ones are less prone to move around, but sometimes it happens.
> I have a Begali Graciella Jr that I might be willing to part with.
> It takes some serious adrenaline to make that baby move.
>
> I set my paddles up to the closes contact distance as possible without
> false keying.
> For some strange reason, paddle contact noise really irritates me.
> Was using a touch paddle on a 4 pound steel block for a while.
> If you get the chance, check out the Kent paddle.
> The plastic paddles on that unit are heavier than most...gives one a
> really nice tactile sense.
> And it sits on soft rubber feet where many paddles today have small
> plastic tabs glued on which are prone to slipping around.
> I'm using the Begali Simplex Basic with the cover over it these days
> sitting on a non-skid pad.
>
> May the Force be with....your finger tips!! :-D
> N1BBR

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Jim AB3CV

Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

I found my key moved around a bit much for me but had difficulty finding
something to make it sticky. I finally removed the feet and replaced them
with some 5 ply plywood used for model aircraft. You can find it at the
hobby stores and hardware stores. It is 1/4" thick. That provides a surface
to which the next layer adheres nicely.

I then applied a thin layer of ordinary GE RTV silicone to the bottom of
those plywood feet with a credit card as a squeegee and sat the key on a
sheet of wax paper to make sure it sat flat. After letting it sit like that
for several hours I turned the key upside down and removed the wax paper to
make sure the whole surface had a chance to cure.

The result is my key is now nicely "sticky" and good for my use. I'm a
squeezer not a slapper.

YMMV

jim ab3cv

On Fri, Oct 16, 2015 at 11:16 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> FWIW,I use Lok-Tite Fun-Tak mounting putty from Home Depot. Ir holds very
> well, but when peeled off my wood desk, it comes off cleanly and can be
> repositioned and reused.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Download the new N1MM Logger+ at
> <http://N1MM.hamdocs.com>. Check
> out the Reverse Beacon Network at
> <http://reversebeacon.net>, now
> spotting RTTY activity worldwide.
> For spots, please use your favorite
> "retail" DX cluster.
>
> On 10/16/2015 10:23 AM, dw wrote:
>
>> I agree with the others on the moving paddle syndrome. :-]
>> Over the years, I've had a number of units with a 3 or 4 lbs base.
>> On the light extreme, I had a Schurr warbler that would slide off the
>> bench if you breathed on it!
>>
>> The heavy ones are less prone to move around, but sometimes it happens.
>> I have a Begali Graciella Jr that I might be willing to part with.
>> It takes some serious adrenaline to make that baby move.
>>
>> I set my paddles up to the closes contact distance as possible without
>> false keying.
>> For some strange reason, paddle contact noise really irritates me.
>> Was using a touch paddle on a 4 pound steel block for a while.
>> If you get the chance, check out the Kent paddle.
>> The plastic paddles on that unit are heavier than most...gives one a
>> really nice tactile sense.
>> And it sits on soft rubber feet where many paddles today have small
>> plastic tabs glued on which are prone to slipping around.
>> I'm using the Begali Simplex Basic with the cover over it these days
>> sitting on a non-skid pad.
>>
>> May the Force be with....your finger tips!! :-D
>> N1BBR
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

KENT TRIMBLE

Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Forced by college dormitory rules against nails in walls, a trip to a
bookstore more than 50 years ago resulted in the absolute best material
to keep paddles and keys from sliding on any surface. Sold originally
as white silly-putty-type stuff and called "Hold-it," today it goes by a
variety of names and colors but the product is the same. It is used to
stick pictures and other items on walls without leaving marks. You tear
off a small hunk, stretch and knead it until the molecules are broken
and the material is warm, soft, and pliable, and then put a small amount
on the bottom of each foot or pad. Even the heaviest fist cannot move a
paddle thus endowed. When you want to reposition the paddle, merely
pick it up and place it where you want. When it picks up enough dirt
and lint over time, merely knead and stretch it again, and reapply.
Makes no difference whether the feet are hard rubber, soft rubber, or
plastic. I still have about half what I bought at that bookstore in
1963, and gave a hunk to a new CW operator just last month. It is
easily removed if you eventually sell the paddle. I use it every
Saturday morning in the basement of a local restaurant to anchor my
paddle and Logikey K-5 on the urethane-surfaced dining tables while
teaching two CW classes, not to mention Field Day, Special Events, merit
badge courses, and general operating at home. Great stuff that will
outlive all of us.

73,

Kent K9ZTV

On 10/16/2015 10:12 AM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:

> A good point, often the feet on a paddle are hard rubber which offers
> little traction to the desk top. As rubber ages it tends to harden as
> well. Those with softer rubber feet and keeping those clean to
> prevent dirt and wax buildup are much more prone to stay put.
>
> If you clean your your desk top with a furniture polish, the wax in
> the polish will eventually adhere to the feet and make them less
> effective in holding power. I use 91% Isopropyl alcohol {found at the
> local pharmacy} and a soft cloth to clean rubber parts. All the
> black that rubs off is dead rubber.
>
> If your key or paddle happens to have hard or rigid "plastic"
> feet......... replace them with something else........not plastic.
> Also I find may of the new silicone stick-on pads used to protect
> table tops get slick after a period of time. Just like vehicle tires,
> softer rubber gets better traction.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

In reply to this post by Jim AB3CV

Adding to the plywood idea, for a really solid "no movement" key, drill
holes in the plywood that match the feet on the paddles - so the paddle
feet fit into the holes.
The real key to the solution is to extend the plywood out to the front
of the paddles so that your hand rests on the plywood. The paddles and
your hand will always be in alignment, no matter where the plywood and
paddle combination is placed on the desk. Your hand secures the plywood
and the plywood holds the paddle in place.

That worked well for me until I bought a paddle from K3ZN which has more
than enough weight on the base to keep it solid.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/16/2015 11:25 AM, Jim Miller wrote:
> I found my key moved around a bit much for me but had difficulty finding
> something to make it sticky. I finally removed the feet and replaced them
> with some 5 ply plywood used for model aircraft. You can find it at the
> hobby stores and hardware stores. It is 1/4" thick. That provides a surface
> to which the next layer adheres nicely.
>
>

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

Don, didn't you mean, N3ZN?

Ed K7AAT

-----Original Message-----

That worked well for me until I bought a paddle from K3ZN which has more
than enough weight on the base to keep it solid.

Don W3FPR

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Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Those rubbery little mats that keep a cell phone from slipping off a
car's dashboard will keep a keyer paddle from walking around the desk.
Never tried it with a keyer paddle on a dashboard, however!

73, George, K5KG

On 10/16/2015 12:04 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Adding to the plywood idea, for a really solid "no movement" key,
> drill holes in the plywood that match the feet on the paddles - so the
> paddle feet fit into the holes.
> The real key to the solution is to extend the plywood out to the front
> of the paddles so that your hand rests on the plywood. The paddles
> and your hand will always be in alignment, no matter where the plywood
> and paddle combination is placed on the desk. Your hand secures the
> plywood and the plywood holds the paddle in place.
>
> That worked well for me until I bought a paddle from K3ZN which has
> more than enough weight on the base to keep it solid.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 10/16/2015 11:25 AM, Jim Miller wrote:
>> I found my key moved around a bit much for me but had difficulty finding
>> something to make it sticky. I finally removed the feet and replaced
>> them
>> with some 5 ply plywood used for model aircraft. You can find it at the
>> hobby stores and hardware stores. It is 1/4" thick. That provides a
>> surface
>> to which the next layer adheres nicely.
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

--
George Wagner, K5KG
Sarasota, FL
941-400-1960

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Ed,

Sorry, but yes that should have been Tony, N3ZN.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 10/16/2015 12:51 PM, Ed wrote:

> Don, didn't you mean, N3ZN?
>
> Ed K7AAT
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> That worked well for me until I bought a paddle from K3ZN which has more
> than enough weight on the base to keep it solid.
>
> Don W3FPR
>
>

w7aqk

Re: Elecraft Hex Key Serial # 57

In reply to this post by dw-4

Hi All,

I'm a bit late responding, but I haven't seen quite the answer I would have
given. So, here's my suggestion.

The "no skid" shelf liner stuff is good, but I've found a particular type
that seems to work best. It's actually the cheaper type. At places like
Walmart you will find several versions of this stuff. The more expensive
versions (although none of them are all that expensive) usually has a very
simple pattern with small, rounded "bubbles" on top. This liner won't move,
but the top surface is too slick, and things on top may move around.
Instead, go for the "cheap" stuff, which is thinner, and has an even tighter
(and somewhat irregular) pattern. I don't know how else to describe it, and
that doesn't give you much to go on, but I almost always see it available at
Walmart, and it is the lower priced option. If I remember to I will check
the stock number the next time I'm in Walmart. It's also the same type and
pattern I saw supplied quite often in small squares with some of the paddles
that used to be offered as kits. Anyway, this stuff won't typically slide
around on whatever surface you put it on, and more importantly, things on
top of it don't tend to slide around much either. I buy this stuff and cut
it to shape for my dashboard to hold all sorts of things, including cell
phones, etc.

That said, a paddle without much mass can be problematic no matter what you
place it on--unless you actually fasten it down somehow. That's one (of
many) reasons I really like the Begali paddles, and other offerings as well
such as the ones from Tony, N3ZN. These paddles have a lot of mass, and
that, to me, is critical. To send properly with a paddle, it must be very
stationary. Rubber feet rarely do the job. The surface contact just isn't
sufficient.

Something I've thought about, but never tried, is using some of these small
"super" magnets. You could glue 4 of these down on your dashboard in the
appropriate spots, and if necessary, add a small, thin steel plate to the
bottom of your paddle.

Dave W7AQK

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