Elecraft / HexKey discovery
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I've had my Elecraft-labeled HexKey (S/N 290) for some months
and was beginning to think one of "us" had a problem. I have the HexKey, a "regular" Bencher and a Brown Brothers paddle/straight key combo side-by-side on my desk and can switch between them at will. I've been a CW operator for 54 years and I think I do reasonably well at the craft. However, I found I was consistently making more errors when using the HexKey than with either of the other two. At first I thought it was because it was new and I wasn't "used" to it. Or, ... at age 70 ... I was losing my touch. But yet, the other two keys and I produced good CW. The sloppy keying had to somehow be be related to the HexKey. I made a number of attempts to adjust the HexKey's spacing and tension, but no amount of twiddling seemed to improve my sending. I was disappointed with the HexKey and was ready to sell it on eBay and buy the Begali I've been lusting after. I was looking at the HexKey while I was in a QSO with list-member K2VCO ... and making an embarrassing number of errors ... a couple of nights ago and noticed that it was "wiggling" slightly from side to side. How much wiggle? Hardly enough to notice. This movement took place even under the most "gentle" touch! It appeared that the three OEM rubber feet were VERY soft and they were acting like little shock-mounts that allowed the base to rotate back and forth ever so slightly. I doubt if Bencher gives any thought to the "softness" of the feet they install, but changing the three "soft" feet to firmer ones has totally eleminated the "wiggle", the paddle now is a joy to use and I can again send "good" CW. (:-)) I'd like to know if anyone else finds the same situation with their HexKeys. I still want the Begali .... but I'll keep the HexKey, too. (:-)) 73! Ken Kopp - K0PP [hidden email] or [hidden email] _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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I come from just the opposite direction. I've only been licensed for about one year. Although I passed the final Element 1 offered in my area (it was a goal of mine to do so, and passed 100%), I've only recently begun to get serious about operating CW. I have a couple of keys, one of them a standard Hex Key. Even in my first feeble attempts, I realized the key was "twisting" back and forth; it's as if the feet are made of jelly.
Anyway, I hope to eventually make contact with some of you via CW :) -- 73, Mike, KC0KBC Yaesu FT-857D, FT-8800R, VX-7RB Elecraft KX1 #1819, XG2 -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Ken Kopp" <[hidden email]> > I've had my Elecraft-labeled HexKey (S/N 290) for some months > and was beginning to think one of "us" had a problem. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
RE: Elecraft / HexKey discovery
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In reply to this post by Ken Kopp
Hi Ken et al
I had exactly the same problem when I tried out my Begali Simplex !! I cured it by replacing the stock feet with some sturdy rubber stick on feet 73 Barry Simpson VK2BJ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: Elecraft / HexKey discovery
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In reply to this post by Ken Kopp
I have Elecraft HexKey #016 and have had NO problem. It has stayed put
where I placed it since Day 1. It's a joy to use and is by far the finest set of paddles I have ever had the pleasure to own and use. -- 73 de Larry W2LJ QRP - When you care to send the very least! http://www.w2lj.qrpradio.com http://w2lj.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
Re: Elecraft / HexKey discovery
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Same here. I have Elecraft Hexkey #004 and has stayed put with no bad
behavior since day one. I use a gentle touch though so maybe that has something to do with it. 73, Tony W7GO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Makoski" <[hidden email]> To: "Ken Kopp" <[hidden email]> Cc: <[hidden email]> Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 5:06 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft / HexKey discovery >I have Elecraft HexKey #016 and have had NO problem. It has stayed put >where I placed it since Day 1. It's a joy to use and is by far the finest >set of paddles I have ever had the pleasure to own and use. > > -- > 73 de Larry W2LJ > QRP - When you care to send the very least! > > http://www.w2lj.qrpradio.com > http://w2lj.blogspot.com/ > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Ken Kopp
For my part, I'd like to say I didn't intend to sound critical of the Hex Key. While I'm inexperienced, it's hard to imagine a nicer key short of something on the order of a Begali. If they had only used finer thread adjustment screws on it, I'd say it would be close to perfect. The gripper pad idea is excellent.
-- 73, Mike, KC0KBC Yaesu FT-857D, FT-8800R, VX-7RB Elecraft KX1 #1819, XG2 -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Larry Makoski <[hidden email]> > I have Elecraft HexKey #016 and have had NO problem. It has stayed put > where I placed it since Day 1. It's a joy to use and is by far the > finest set of paddles I have ever had the pleasure to own and use. > > -- > 73 de Larry W2LJ > QRP - When you care to send the very least! > > http://www.w2lj.qrpradio.com > http://w2lj.blogspot.com/ > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [hidden email] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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