Keeping Paddles In Place

[w7aqk]

Hi All,

I have found that even the slightest tendency for my paddle to move (or
wobble) can really affect the accuracy of my sending.  The faster you send,
the more important it is for the paddle to be firmly anchored.  At home I
have a couple of Begali paddles, and they just don't move!  But when I
travel, I take paddles which, although good paddles, are not quite as
substantial.  Also, as many of you have pointed out, the rubber feet on many
paddles are not very good.  Besides being hard and often getting "slick" as
they age, I don't think they give you enough contact surface.

The shelf liner suggestion is a good one.  If you get the right kind, it
really helps keep your paddle (and lots of other things too) in place.  I
don't know how many kinds there are, but commonly I see two kinds.  One has
kind of a fat, bubbly surface and looks rather smooth.  The other seems a
bit thinner, and the pattern looks more irregular.  This latter type is what
you want.  I think it's even cheaper.  The type with the fat bubbles just
doesn't seem to grab as well, while the thinner type grabs a surface much
better.  I also use this stuff on my dashboard and console in vehicles.  You
can use it to keep most anything from sliding around.

Dave W7AQK


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[RJD-2]

Get a K8RA PADDLE P-5.  The base weights 7lbs and is a very good key.
 
I have a P-4 and it weights 5lbs and goes NOWHERE!
 
http://www.k8ra.com/
 
Dick, NJ9K

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]]
On Behalf Of Dave Yarnes
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 11:23
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Keeping Paddles In Place

Hi All,

I have found that even the slightest tendency for my paddle to move (or
wobble) can really affect the accuracy of my sending.  The faster you send,
the more important it is for the paddle to be firmly anchored.  At home I
have a couple of Begali paddles, and they just don't move!  But when I
travel, I take paddles which, although good paddles, are not quite as
substantial.  Also, as many of you have pointed out, the rubber feet on many
paddles are not very good.  Besides being hard and often getting "slick" as
they age, I don't think they give you enough contact surface.

The shelf liner suggestion is a good one.  If you get the right kind, it
really helps keep your paddle (and lots of other things too) in place.  I
don't know how many kinds there are, but commonly I see two kinds.  One has
kind of a fat, bubbly surface and looks rather smooth.  The other seems a
bit thinner, and the pattern looks more irregular.  This latter type is what
you want.  I think it's even cheaper.  The type with the fat bubbles just
doesn't seem to grab as well, while the thinner type grabs a surface much
better.  I also use this stuff on my dashboard and console in vehicles.  You
can use it to keep most anything from sliding around.

Dave W7AQK


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Post to: [hidden email]
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

_______________________________________________
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