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Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

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Clifford Hynds

Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

HI,

OK this is probably a hard question but I am looking at something other
than a straight key to try my hand at CW again. Thought it time to go back
to basics and QRP.

Single or Dual paddles , suggested paddles?

Open to suggestions ?

thanks in advance,

Cliff Vk2CCJ
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"Hjalmar Duklæt"

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

Hi Cliff.
Have a look at this site http://cwtouchkeyer.com/. I've been using these paddles for nearly two years and my opinion is that they can not be beaten by any mechanical paddles, and I've tried quite a few during over 30 years of cw operation.And they are very cheap too.

73 de Hal/LA4XX

On 13-01-04, Clifford Hynds <[hidden email]> wrote:

> HI,
>
> OK this is probably a hard question but I am looking at something other
> than a straight key to try my hand at CW again. Thought it time to go back
> to basics and QRP.
>
> Single or Dual paddles , suggested paddles?
>
> Open to suggestions ?
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> Cliff Vk2CCJ
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <[hidden email]>
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>

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Thomas Horsten

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Clifford Hynds

Hi Cliff,

If you are not aspiring to be a "speed demon" (40WPM plus), Iambic keying
is the most comfortable and it is very easy to learn. So get a dual lever
paddle. You say not too expensive, that rules out my favorite, Begali
Sculpture, but there is a reason that the Bencher BY-1 is considered the
"standard dual-lever paddles" by a lot of people, and that is that it's
relatively cheap (and widely available used), and performs relatively well.
It's not a Begali by any stretch of the imagination but it's still precise
enough and has a decent enough feel that you can comfortably roll along at
25-30WPM without getting fatigued or annoyed.

So go for one of those, preferably pick it up used for $30 or so, and do
not try a Begali first or you will not want to touch a Bencher again, but
then again, the Bencher is perfectly good for what it is.

There are many other paddles around, I've tried a Vibroplex once and found
it far too clunky and with a sluggish feel, but maybe that was just that
one (it was a single-lever as well) - definitely wasn't for me.

The KXPD3 for the KX3 is great as well for what it is - it is far better
than a Bencher IMHO, and in a much smaller form-factor, of course using the
KX3 as a counterweight and not suitable for use with a K3 or any other rig.

73, Thomas M0TRN

On 4 January 2013 21:40, Clifford Hynds <[hidden email]> wrote:

Ian Kahn, KM4IK

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Clifford Hynds

Cliff,

When I needed something for CW and didn't want to spend much money (I'm
not a big CW op but was learning and wanted to chase a couple of
awards), I found a used Bencher BY-1 on ebay for about $60 US. It's a
great little paddle, plugs right in to my K3, and works great.

Hope this helps.

73,

--Ian

Ian Kahn, KM4IK
Roswell, GA EM74ua
[hidden email]
K3 #281, P3 #688
HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team

On 1/4/2013 4:40 PM, Clifford Hynds wrote:

> HI,
>
> OK this is probably a hard question but I am looking at something other
> than a straight key to try my hand at CW again. Thought it time to go back
> to basics and QRP.
>
> Single or Dual paddles , suggested paddles?
>
> Open to suggestions ?
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> Cliff Vk2CCJ
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Rick Tavan N6XI

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Clifford Hynds

Paddles are like boats - you can spend as much or as little as you want.
There are many excellent paddles within most budgets.

Don't take anyone's word for which paddle is "best" or you will like. It's
a matter of personal preference. The range of qualities and prices is very
broad. Try before you buy unless cost is no object.

If you're on a budget, visit friends or a ham radio store and try their
paddles. Pick the one that feels best that also fits your budget. It will
be a difficult decision but fun to work on.

If you're not on a tight budget, browse the dozens of paddle manufacturer
Web sites, drool over the beautifully machined works of art and pick
whatever looks good to you. Use it for a few months, then repeat the
process. Eventually you will have two or three magnificent paddles on your
shack table and a shelf full of display items to admire or re-sell. It's an
expensive process but lots of fun. ;-)

My favorites that I own: Begali Simplex, Elecraft/Bencher HexKey, Shurr
Profi; used to own: Bencher BY-n; still drooling over: the rest of the
Begali line. I've also owned one paddle that I hated and quickly re-sold. I
won't name it because some folks think it's great!

All my favorites are dual lever because you can use them with or without
iambic keying. Single lever paddles are fine if you want to make a
religious statement against iambic keying.

73 and welcome back to CW!

/Rick N6XI

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 1:40 PM, Clifford Hynds <[hidden email]> wrote:

> HI,
>
> OK this is probably a hard question but I am looking at something other
> than a straight key to try my hand at CW again. Thought it time to go back
> to basics and QRP.
>
> Single or Dual paddles , suggested paddles?
>
> Open to suggestions ?
>
> thanks in advance,
>
> Cliff Vk2CCJ
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

--
Rick Tavan N6XI
Truckee, CA
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Bill Frantz

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

Paddles are a wonderful project for people who like to make
mechanical things. I build a single lever paddle using the arm
bearing from an old hard drive, lots of brass pieces from the
hardware store, two super magnets for springs, and some silver
wire from a jeweler friend for the contacts. I don't have enough
CW experience to comment on how good it is, but people at my ham
radio club thought it was at least OK, and it made a nice
project while my T1 tuner kit was backordered. :-)

Cheers - Bill, AE6JV

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz |"After all, if the conventional wisdom was
working, the
408-356-8506 | rate of systems being compromised would be
going down,
www.pwpconsult.com | wouldn't it?" -- Marcus Ranum

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Ken G Kopp

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Clifford Hynds

Hi Cliff !

I have a Bencher/Elecraft HexKey. It's -very- good. I also have two
Bencher BY-series paddles, and they're good. Paddles are like women
perhaps ... but a lot less expensive to "audition".

I've been a CW for 61 years ... even made a living with it ... but never
managed to be "good" at iambic keying. I've recently purchased a really
fine straight key ... a Model ZN-HKC by Tony, N3ZN.

73!

Ken Kopp - K0PP

On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 9:40 PM, Clifford Hynds <[hidden email]> wrote:
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Rick Stealey

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

One thing you can do to help decide - try adjusting the spacing. Note the pitch of the adjusting screws and how tight they hold their position.
Put a piece of paper into the gap and see how much control you have in adjusting the controls. yes, you should be able to set the gap to this spacing and have it hold. Another poster would not name names. I will, because I've owned them.
Yes a Begali can do this. No a Vibroplex vibrokeyer cannot.

The other choice you have is between spring loaded or magnetic. I used spring loaded keys since 1965, till I got a Begali in 2009. I went through Vibroplex, Bencher, Kent, and a Japanese one that escapes me right now.
All the top ones Begali makes are magnetic. The paddles hardly move at all. The gap is so close you can hardly feel it. I'm not good with mechanical things but I know there are bearings inside that make it possible (to have a close gap and still be very precise). Mine is a Begali magnetic classic, but it has plastic actuating arms. My next one will be a Sculpture, but the big decision is should a P3 or a sub receiver for the K3 come first?
Decisions, decisions. Ain't it great?
Rick K2XT

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Clifford Hynds

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Ken G Kopp

Thank you Ken and everyone else for their input and suggestions, has given
me some idea , what I would like is an iambic that could be changed to a
single paddle if I find that is not my thing.

A really good straight key is of cause an option but want to try the
paddles first.

73
Cliff VK2CCJ

On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 1:32 PM, Ken G Kopp <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Cliff !
>
> I have a Bencher/Elecraft HexKey. It's -very- good. I also have two
> Bencher BY-series paddles, and they're good. Paddles are like women
> perhaps ... but a lot less expensive to "audition".
>
> I've been a CW for 61 years ... even made a living with it ... but never
> managed to be "good" at iambic keying. I've recently purchased a really
> fine straight key ... a Model ZN-HKC by Tony, N3ZN.
>
> 73!
>
> Ken Kopp - K0PP
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 9:40 PM, Clifford Hynds <[hidden email]> wrote:
>

k6dgw

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Rick Stealey

P3. It will change the way you operate and make things much more fun.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013
- www.cqp.org

On 1/4/2013 7:04 PM, Rick Stealey wrote:

>My next one will be a Sculpture, but the big
> decision is should a P3 or a sub receiver for the K3 come first?
> Decisions, decisions. Ain't it great? Rick K2XT

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Gary Gregory-2

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Clifford Hynds

Begali Magnetic Pro...it's a statement yes, but soooo smooth to use..:-)

gary

On 5 January 2013 14:30, Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Double paddles work non-Iambic with no changes whatsoever. Just do not
> squeeze them! That's why 99.9% of the paddles sold are double paddles.
>
> 73 Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Thank you Ken and everyone else for their input and suggestions, has given
> me some idea , what I would like is an iambic that could be changed to a
> single paddle if I find that is not my thing.
>
> A really good straight key is of cause an option but want to try the
> paddles
> first.
>
> 73
> Cliff VK2CCJ
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

--
*Gary - VK1ZZ
Motorhome Portable
The Shack*
*Elecraft K3
P3 Panadapter
KPA500FT
KAT500FT**
KX3-K
*
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Ken Chandler

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Rick Stealey

You may want to take a look at the Chevron key, Its solid Bronze, hand built here in the uk.
fotget the url but google search Chevron keys.

Ken..G0ORH - M3i

Sent from my iPhone 4
CW4EVER

On 5 Jan 2013, at 03:04, Rick Stealey <[hidden email]> wrote:

One thing you can do to help decide - try adjusting the spacing. Note the pitch of the adjusting screws and how tight they hold their position.
Put a piece of paper into the gap and see how much control you have in adjusting the controls. yes, you should be able to set the gap to this spacing and have it hold. Another poster would not name names. I will, because I've owned them.
Yes a Begali can do this. No a Vibroplex vibrokeyer cannot.

The other choice you have is between spring loaded or magnetic. I used spring loaded keys since 1965, till I got a Begali in 2009. I went through Vibroplex, Bencher, Kent, and a Japanese one that escapes me right now.
All the top ones Begali makes are magnetic. The paddles hardly move at all. The gap is so close you can hardly feel it. I'm not good with mechanical things but I know there are bearings inside that make it possible (to have a close gap and still be very precise). Mine is a Begali magnetic classic, but it has plastic actuating arms. My next one will be a Sculpture, but the big decision is should a P3 or a sub receiver for the K3 come first?
Decisions, decisions. Ain't it great?
Rick K2XT

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Barry

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

I've used many paddles over the years and my favorite is the ZN-9, found here: http://www.n3znkeys.com/

Tony, N3ZN does fabulous work. While not cheap, it's not outrageous, either. I've used some begali keys in the past. He also offers a 30 day money back guarantee, if you don't like it. I'd rate them equal to N3ZN in terms of quality. In my opinion, the Bencher BY-1 is just awful - way too much play in the levers.

Theink of paddles like power windows. If you've nver had them, you won't know what you're missing. Once you get them, you never want to go back :.)

Barry W2UP

Nate Bargmann

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

While probably not as easy to get on this side of the pond, I've been
very pleased with a set of Kent paddles I bought in the mid '90s:

http://www.kent-engineers.com/

* On 2013 05 Jan 07:09 -0600, Barry wrote:
> In my opinion, the Bencher BY-1 is just awful - way too much play in
> the levers.

I started with a set of those long ago. They are long gone and good
riddance. Most any other paddle that offers individual tension
adjustment and the levers held by individual bearings will prove far
superior. Of course, there are those that use and will defend the
Benchers.

A high quality key or paddle is not cheap but the people you work will
thank you. :-)

73, de Nate, N0NB >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true."

Ham radio, Linux, bikes, and more: http://www.n0nb.us
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Rose

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

The last I knew, Kent keys were sold by AES ...

73!

K0PP

On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 1:58 PM, Nate Bargmann <[hidden email]> wrote:

> While probably not as easy to get on this side of the pond, I've been
> very pleased with a set of Kent paddles I bought in the mid '90s:
>
> http://www.kent-engineers.com/
>
> * On 2013 05 Jan 07:09 -0600, Barry wrote:
> > In my opinion, the Bencher BY-1 is just awful - way too much play in
> > the levers.
>
> I started with a set of those long ago. They are long gone and good
> riddance. Most any other paddle that offers individual tension
> adjustment and the levers held by individual bearings will prove far
> superior. Of course, there are those that use and will defend the
> Benchers.
>
> A high quality key or paddle is not cheap but the people you work will
> thank you. :-)
>
> 73, de Nate, N0NB >>

Bill W4ZV

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Clifford Hynds

Clifford Hynds wrote

Single or Dual paddles , suggested paddles?

If you've ever used a bug, the Single lever will be much easier to learn. IMHO they are also easier to use at QRQ speeds (most HST Champions use Single levers). They also are more forgiving of fine motor muscle control in the hands if you have shaky hands.

Once you decide on single versus dual, there are multitudes of choices depending on how much you want to spend, whether you want lightweight for portable QRP operating, etc. If all else fails, you can even build your own as I did for my ATS-3 transceiver:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutov8MVr6Q

73, Bill W4ZV

Jim Low man

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Clifford Hynds

You probably don't want to spend that much right away if you're deciding
whether CW is your thing or not, so probably a Bencher BY-1 or, I think,
MFJ makes a knockoff for less money.

Actually, Kent has a sale going on the dual-lever model for about 80
Euros, I think.

There have been a couple of recommendations for Tony's (N3ZN) paddles.
I can't agree more. I have the ZN-V and, for Christmas, the XYL bought
one of his new ZN-QRP paddles for me.

The perfect complement to the K3, of course, is the HexKey that Elecraft
sells, as K0PP mentioned.

I didn't start out to be a collector, but I now have the following:

Begali Sculpture
Elecraft HexKey
Ten-Tec 40th anniversary paddle
Long Island Mercury paddle, before it was sold by Bencher
Kent dual-lever (another gift from the XYL)
N3ZN ZN-V (vertical paddle, like the WBL paddles of days past)
Vibroplex Iambic
Vibroplex Code Warrior
March R-3A (on loan from a friend)
K8RA P-4 (four-pound monster)
N3ZN ZN-QRP
the venerable Bencher BY-1 and its MFJ counterpart, which started the
whole thing

and a few straight keys.

73 de Jim - AD6CW

On 1/4/2013 1:40 PM, Clifford Hynds wrote:

Barry

Re: Suggested key/paddle for CW for a the K3 and others (not expensive)

In reply to this post by Bill W4ZV

Bill W4ZV wrote

If you've ever used a bug, the Single lever will be much easier to learn. IMHO they are also easier to use at QRQ speeds (most HST Champions use Single levers).
73, Bill W4ZV

Bill - I agree with your first statement about the transition from bug to keyer. However, having competed in 3 HSTs myself and winning 3 medals (one each, gold, silver, bronze), there is a footnote needed re the HST Champs and single lever paddles:

The single lever style that the top HST guys (and gals) use is completely different from how we do it. First, they reverse the dit and dah paddles. Second, they use large contact spacing. Third, they put their entire arm into the keying motion. IMO, this works for short-term (one minute) keying as in the competition events, but would cause WAY too much fatigue for traditional QSO-type use. As a matter of fact, the team leader of the (usually first place) Belarus team, Andrei Bindasov, EU1KI, who is in the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest sending speeds, no longer competes because of arthritis. I don't know his exact age, but he looks to be in his mid-late 30s, and could be mistaken for a gymnast from his appearance. He told me it was caused by too much practice.

Personally, I tried a single lever paddle before HST 2011, but having used iambic for so many years, I just couldn't get the hang of sending didadidadidah, so I stuck with the dual lever paddles. In the competition, I turn off the iambic function in my keyer, but use the dual lever paddle, when sending numbers only.

Barry W2UP