Elecraft Hexkey Question

[stan levandowski]

Hello fellow listers.  Here I am once again soliciting opinions.  So
far, the advice received from this reflector has been 100% helpful.
Thanks everyone!

I operated a "real" N2DAN Mercury key at W1AW.  It was really something.
I've heard that Bencher's version (at around $600) is "almost" as good.
I've also heard that the Elecraft Hexkey has "the same feel as the
Bencher Mercury" (from eHAM reviews) and represents good value for the
money.

There's quite a difference between $200 and $600 so I'm trying to
understand what the extra $$$ might return with regard to performance.

100% of my operating is CW and 95% of that is at 18 - 22 wpm which is a
nice, comfortable, copy-in-my-head ragchew speed - and I'm a slapper.
My present paddle is a Scheunemann-Morsetasten SP-1  (single lever and
springs).

Thanks,

Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years!
QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992
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[W6ODJ]

Have you seen <http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1552>?  K6JPA compares them directly.

73,

Oliver
W6ODJ


On 2 Oct 2010, at 7:48 PM, stan levandowski wrote:

> Hello fellow listers.  Here I am once again soliciting opinions.  So
> far, the advice received from this reflector has been 100% helpful.
> Thanks everyone!
>
> I operated a "real" N2DAN Mercury key at W1AW.  It was really something.
> I've heard that Bencher's version (at around $600) is "almost" as good.
> I've also heard that the Elecraft Hexkey has "the same feel as the
> Bencher Mercury" (from eHAM reviews) and represents good value for the
> money.
>
> There's quite a difference between $200 and $600 so I'm trying to
> understand what the extra $$$ might return with regard to performance.
>
> 100% of my operating is CW and 95% of that is at 18 - 22 wpm which is a
> nice, comfortable, copy-in-my-head ragchew speed - and I'm a slapper.
> My present paddle is a Scheunemann-Morsetasten SP-1  (single lever and
> springs).
>
> Thanks,
>
> Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
> HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years!
> QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

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[Nr4c]

I have a friend, AJ4XV, who has a N2DAN paddle which is available.  If you
are interested,  contact him via [hidden email] for more details.  You might
mention I my call/name.

Bill    nr4c    Williamsburg, VA

-----Original Message-----
From: stan levandowski [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2010 10:49 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Hexkey Question

Hello fellow listers.  Here I am once again soliciting opinions.  So
far, the advice received from this reflector has been 100% helpful.
Thanks everyone!

I operated a "real" N2DAN Mercury key at W1AW.  It was really something.
I've heard that Bencher's version (at around $600) is "almost" as good.
I've also heard that the Elecraft Hexkey has "the same feel as the
Bencher Mercury" (from eHAM reviews) and represents good value for the
money.

There's quite a difference between $200 and $600 so I'm trying to
understand what the extra $$$ might return with regard to performance.

100% of my operating is CW and 95% of that is at 18 - 22 wpm which is a
nice, comfortable, copy-in-my-head ragchew speed - and I'm a slapper.
My present paddle is a Scheunemann-Morsetasten SP-1  (single lever and
springs).

Thanks,

Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years!
QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992
______________________________________________________________
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

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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[Barry]

Stan - I've never used the Mercury or the Hexkey.  It's hard to believe Bencher can make a gem of a paddle when their "standard" paddle (BY-1, etc.) is so poor.  My favorites are made by N3ZN and Begali.  You might want to take a look at those as well.  Mechanically, they are both superb, and design-wise, they use short, low mass arms for the least inertia and quick return.  LIke you, I do 95+% CW.
Barry W2UP