Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 78, Issue 3

[Kenneth Lopez-2]

For a good overview of what makes for a good set of paddles, see Anatomy of A Paddle:

http://www.eham.net/articles/8432

FWIW, I've used many of the classics, and have found that the Hex is spongy feeling due the the long arms.  N3ZN, Begalli, Frattini, have gotten it right.  My recommendation for operational value and build quality at a favorable price would be N3ZN. Top quality, great service, fair prices.  The others are just a bit pricier due to exchange rates, but also greet keys.

Just my personal opinion.

Ken, N6TZV

>
> Message: 13
> Date: Sat, 02 Oct 2010 22:48:42 -0400 (EDT)
> From: stan levandowski <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Elecraft Hexkey Question
> To: [hidden email]
> Message-ID:
> <[hidden email]>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no
>
> 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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[Ken Kopp-3]

Reference has been made to the "spongy" feel of
the HexKey, and I used to agree.  IMHO I'm a pretty
good CW op with 60+ years behind me.  Even made
a living at sea with CW.

I was -very- disappointed with my HexKey and was
about to put it on eBay.  Couldn't seem to send error-
free CW and at attributed it to my old poop's arthritis.  

After pondering awhile and watching intently to see what
I might be doing wrong, I realized that the HexKey was
moving ever-so-slightly.  Simply put, it was "wobbling"
on it's "soft" feet.

I changed the feet to ones made from firmer material
and now the HexKey is great.  The firmer feet cured
the problem.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
       [hidden email]


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