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PADDLES

  Fig 1    Vibroplex Code Warrior Jr. 
  Fig 2  Begali  Signature Edition 
  Fig 3  AC7AZ By Mark Johnston 
  Fig 4  Schurr Profi 2
  Fig 5  Bencher BY-1 
  Fig 6  Kitano Finger Paddle
  Fig 7  Kent TP1 
  Fig 8  Vibroplex Single Lever &  Double lever
  Fig 9  K8RA P-3
  Fig 10  March R-3A
  Fig 11  MFJ Model 564
  Fig 12  AB5RT
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What constitutes the "Perfect Paddle"
This question spurs as many arguments today as what constitutes the perfect "anything" in say cars, motorcycles, airplanes, boats, hunting rifles, fishing rods and so on - ad infinitum. The quest to design and build this mystical creation has been going on for decades and will continue for more decades.  The quest to acquire and own the latest and greatest likewise goes on -- otherwise, the aforementioned  designers and sellers could not exist.  Supply and demand.

While obviously there are certain indisputable ergonomic fundamentals involved so that the sending device remains in place during use (doesn't flop about or slip and slide while being keyed) and that the finger pieces line up with the hands comfortably, and that the adjustments can be finely set to the user's liking and those same adjustments don't come undone with use.  Beyond a very limited set of standard, generic requirements however you get more into factors such as "looks", "pride of ownership", and I feel too often "mental fantasy" that somehow this new toy I just blew close to $600 on will overcome my obvious lack of practice and proficiency on the air.  Just as with modes of transportation , one can buy a Hyundai or one can buy a Bentley  and surprisingly, both can roll up to work and park simultaneously, safely and comfortably, side by side.  Both can maneuver skillfully in traffic and both can be comfortable and serve the purpose for their owners with a vast difference in cost to their owners.


"A good carpenter never blames his tools".
The primary factor in improving your performance on the air with CW isn't the tool but rather the skill of the operator.  Nothing replaces practice, and the understanding that the objective isn't to see how fast one can send, but rather how his sending can be so perfect that it is quickly and easily read the first time through, without error or repeating,  by the intended receiver.  The intent of any transmission over radio or wire is to be understood.  Radio inherently involves fading, noise, and interference from competing transmissions.  Adding your lack of skills to these impediments only complicates understandability and curing your lack of skill entails regular practice more than the purchase of a new and fancier toy.  Learn to use what you already own perfectly and you will have more enjoyment out of the hobby than owning  thousands of dollars worth of expensive toys you never learned to master.

One has to also understand that the vast majority of CW operators are not high speed.  Most are quite  content below 20 w.p.m.   Many are quite happy sending and receiving around 15 w.p.m., so when you go blasting off at them at an error filled, choppy, poorly spaced 30 w.p.m. plus, they seem to fade away quite rapidly, you may be limiting yourself to a very select few who can respond to your call.  There is, in fact, a growing resurgence in the use of the straight key.  I personally use one almost exclusively.  There is a recent new club called the "Straight Key Century Club" or "SKCC" that has close to 2000 members worldwide and is growing rapidly.

I urge every new CW operator to start out with a straight key.  Learn rhythm, timing, spacing and be the guy  whom the person on the other end always comes back to with "Solid Copy" after every transmission.  I also urge you to get out of this insane "contest mode" to see how many contacts you can make and to instead, concentrate upon seeing how much you can learn about the other chap in the distant city you went to so much trouble to contact once you get linked up with him or her.

The idea isn't to fill the log book, but to fill your list of pleasurable experiences on the air by getting to know other operators and make friends on the air.  I think you are going to have a lot more pleasure
out of this great hobby if you spend more time rag chewing at comfortable speeds with perfect code than trying to impress people with how fast you can blow them off by exceeding their ability to copy. 

 

 

 

 








Fig. 1:   Vibroplex "Code Warrior Jr.
 
SOLD
 
This particular paddle weighs in  at 1 lb, 5 oz. It is 2-1/2" x 3" in  size. It has fully adjustable  magnetic return. It is Vibroplex's  production model of the original  K8FF NorCal Kit key.

I've found that the paddle has a tendency to slide on me during sending.    I used doubled up Velcro "Super Stick" from Radio Shack under mine to solve the  problem.

At around $100, "Junior" has proven to be a nice performer on a budget.  For a discussion of using an Iambic paddle and keyer, click HERE.  (Adobe Acrobat needed)


 
Fig. 2:    Begali Signature
 
SOLD
 
For a 2nd view click HERE.  Mine was SN 005. It arrived 51 days from the date of ordering it,   The sensitivity can be set to where you cannot tell if the paddles moved or not - almost as if it was a capacitive touch paddle.

I will tell anyone it is well worth any delivery interval to receive a key of this workmanship and beauty.  A definite 'plus' is the 1/8" stereo jack for connection.  It won't make you send better though, only constant practice will do that.

The base is roughly 3" x 4" and it weighs approx. 3-1/2 lbs. This one is done in the gold and palladium finish and it really is almost too pretty to use. 

Click on any image to enlarge it

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


Fig. 3:    AC7AZ,  paddle
 

SOLD
Made by Mark Johnston,  of Phoenix, Arizona. It is a magnetic return paddle.  It measures 4" x 4" and weighs in at 3 lbs.  This particular paddle is #10 of a run of only 18 he made. 

For another perspective view, click HERE.

I recently received an E-Mail from Mark stating he no longer makes paddles. To view his entire product line and read his remarks, click HERE



Fig. 4:    Schurr PROFI 2
 
SOLD
One of the  "Holy Grails" of Morse key collectors. Originally,  by Gerhard Schurr, DH2SAA.  It weighs approximately 3.3 lbs & measures about 4" x 3-1/8".  Gerhard no  longer makes these paddles.  These paddles  are, however still  being made in Germany by  Uli Scheunemann,  DC2SO.

 Note the hard plastic dust cover. It has a  lacquered satin brass finish.  Contacts  are  hard silver.  It isn't going to move on you.
 
These keys are presently sold in the USA by  Morse Express for $289.95 + postage.  They are on most collectors "short  list" of best paddles available today. 

Click on any image to enlarge it

 




 

 





 


Fig. 5:  Bencher BY-1 paddle
 
SOLD
$109.99 & perfectly adequate for anyone to use.  These paddles are probably one of the most common ones made in the U.S. today and still seem to bring good  resale prices on eBay whenever they are offered at auction. Seen in a chromed base and in gold plated variations.  Gold won't make it send one bit better, but you will think it does.  :< )



Fig.6:  Kitano Key Co. 
 
SOLD
This is a very unusual  paddle made by Kit Raymond, N2LMC, in Princeton, NJ.  It originally sold for $45.  It is a small, lightweight key, operated by downward pressure on either horizontally mounted paddle. It weighs only 8 oz.  The base is 3" x 1-1/2". This is SN # 64. Circa 1995.

Originally, only about 200 were sold so they are considered quite hard to find.  Here is another view.

I just was made aware  Kit is willing to provide more upon request.  Email him at 

 k9kray@addressisp.com
 

Click on any image to enlarge it


 

 


 

 






Fig. 7:    Kent Engineers TP1
 
SOLD
Classic spring return Iambic Twin paddle. It weighs 3 lbs,  and has a 3" x  4" base.  This set enjoys  a reasonable  price and it sports  a very nice action.  I would like to see a future version that would replace the springs with a magnetic return. 

They run $149.99.  Palomar Engineers once imported these keys to be sold as a PK-100.

One potential flaw is visibly present.  The top ball race bearings are exposed and may eventually fill with dust and other contaminants and then need to be flushed and re-lubricated.  More advanced designs covered them. 

Now I don't want to get you sick if you bought one of these but when you see what you could have bought for less you might feel had? Go HERE.



Fig. 8:   Vibroplex Deluxe Single &
                              Double (Iambic) lever paddle
 
SOLD
SOLD

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This is a chrome plated base "Deluxe" model.  4-1/2" x 3-1/2" weighing abt. 2-3/4 lb.  This  is a non-iambic, single  lever paddle. 

Vibroplex mates straight keys  with various combinations and finishes. No the chromed base doesn't make it better to send code with. (And neither does a pricey gold-flashed dress plate.

It is also an error  to refer to this as a "keyer" A keyer is what you connect the paddle to -- an electronic device, which properly forms the dots and dashes.
 

BOTTOM

This is their Iambic Presentation model paddles.  Dual lever, with a gold flashed trim plate.  2 lb. 13-3/8 oz. with a std. 4-1/2" x 3-1/2" base. 

 ADJUSTMENTS

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Fig. 9: The K8RA Model P3
 
AVAILABLE
Made by Jerry Pittenger, of  Powell, Ohio, K8RA.  He made this particular version with four little red push button switches for KEYER control or other uses as needed. HERE is another view.

 The base is 3-3/4" x 3" and is made out of 1/2" brass stock.  It weighs 2-3/4 lb. Mine  is SN 028. $127. Jerry makes a lower priced P2 without the push-buttons for $111 and a P1 on a wooden base for $91.

They have all been "hot items" due to their super reasonable price.  Naturally they don't compare in looks to a Begali Signature but then they don't cost you $342.00.

More information?  Click HERE.

Fig. 10:  The March R-3A
 
SOLD
Mine was SN 0204,  birthdate 05/07/2001 and made by J.M. (Michael)  March, K4QU of Winchester, VA.  No engraving, no jeweled finish, no ebony finger pieces ---- sigh!  Oh well, can't have everything.  A pretty solid performer, but I did find I needed a non-slip pad underneath.  See comments below. 

It is abt 3-1/2" in diameter & 2 lb. 3.4 oz. I haven't used this paddle a lot yet but did sense in the little I did, an opinion that it possibly  could stand more base bulk as it tended to move while keying.  A larger diameter and a pound or so heavier ?  Also a mini stereo jack for connection ? 

Click on any image to enlarge it


 

 

 

 

 

 


 


Fig. 11    MFJ "Deluxe Paddle 564"
 
SOLD
The close  resemblance to a Bencher BY-2 is unmistakable The base is 3-3/4" x 4" and it weighs about 2-1/2 lb.  Copycats skirt the law by making small changes but can cling to the original idea with impunity. I am surprised Bencher hasn't challenged the design as an infringement of their patent rights.

This paddle has been around for quite a few years.  



Fig. 12:   AB5RT Paddle
 
SOLD

Made by Al Bulin, of Bella Vista, Arkansas. The base measures 2 7/8" by 3" and weighs in at a solid 1 1/4 lbs.   Materials used are solid brass, billet aluminum, and stainless steel sealed ball bearing sets, shafts, and hardware.

This key utilizes magnetic field attraction in lieu of springs. This keys overall finish was done using combinations of satin, brushed, high polished and jewelling techniques. The terminal post are of the captive head type meaning they unscrew to open for wire insertion but do not come off, a nice feature as not to get lost. The paddles or "icing on the cake" were made from select South American hardwood chosen for its striking grain contrast and cut for its matching pattern. Next it was laminated to white Plexiglas, polished and given a hand rubbed finish.


 

Click on any image to enlarge it
 
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