Favourite Key / Paddle

[G0IYZ]

Hi All,

Since getting into Radio I've tried all sorts of different keys and paddles. Elekey, Kent, Bencher, etc.

The one I use now is a Schurr Profi 2. I have to say that this one is my favourite so far.

What's your favourite http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif???

[k6pme]

I suppose it would have to be a Nye Viking straight key. But then, it's the only one I've ever owned.

[N8CPA]

I currently use an LTA dual imabic/straight key. But my favorite is a discontinued model from a defunct company, Classic Keyer CK-2.
Gotta love mahogany (which I suspect is really cherry or walnut) and brass!

[af2cw]

The LTA CRDO Iambic/Straight key would be my favorite. I also use the Bencher BY-1 and a J-38. Also have a Bencher RJ-1.

[KC0W]

I also use a Schurr key. If there is a better key manufactured I have yet to find it.


Tom kcØw

[n8yx]

Quote[/b] (G0IYZ @ Oct. 20 2005,04:23)]What's your favourite http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif???
Haven't got a chance to try a bunch of them from various manucacturers...but I do have a couple of Vibroblex single-lever paddles @ the various operating positions...and have an "Original" bug hanging 'round the shack too.

Got to check out a custom Vibro-Keyer at the 2005 Hamvention; it had 3 discreet actions mounted to one base...straight key, iambic and single-lever...you could custom-order one with your choice of actions if you wished. Darned things were NOT cheap, either.

The absolute WORST I've owned was a Trac Iambic.

[WA2ZDY]

I guess I'm easy. I liked my iambic Vibroplex while I had it and the Vibroplex branded (but made by someone else) Code Warrior Junior suits me well. And that thing was good in the mobile, so that says something for it. I also like my Vibroplex Original.

I had a Brown Brothers iambic paddle in the mobile years ago and it held up well and did the job. The Bencher I have nothing good to say about, but that's just my opinion.

[w8znx]

hello #0 IYZ

favorite for what ? #depends on what I want the key
to do and what am going to hook it to

field work camping, # hooked to
Small Wonder DSW, I use White Rook paddles,
light, cheep, work well and if lost or busted only out lunch money

hooked to man pack TRC-77 use a J-45 leg iron
straight key seem fitting to use key that
came with it

is it going to be hooked to a cathode keyed hb job
to a ART 13, or a grid block keyed old transmitter
or is it going to be hooked to modern JA rice box

most used keys here are in order of use

Vibroplex Champion, can hook it to anything
and do not half to worry about frying contacts

Vibroplex Lightingbug same as above
but seeing as it was made before WW II
often use it with my pre war rigs

High Mound HK-802 Swedish Key this is the first
sit on table straight key, # #Iv ever used
that does not give me a glass arm in 10 min

do not get glass arm, using leg iron straight key
like J-45 excpt clamp cuts off blood supply
to leg so in 20 min or so half to take it off,
may be, #if I lost some weight the key would
fit better like it did when was
kid in US Army Signal Corps

JA7GHD Toshihiko Ujiie GHD opto bug
the easiest bug ive ever used, do not half
to slap it like a Vibroplex to get good solid dits
very well made
but wont hook it to cathode keyed transmitters
or my ART-13

and
the best dam set of paddles iv ever used
DH2SAA Gerhard Schurr Profie 2
but only use them with modern rigs
or hooked to keyer

have about 2 dozen other keys
some good,some horrid

Mac dit dit

[kc0vrs]

I use a paddle. I can't remember who manufactured it though. It is about 15 years old. I really like it alot.

[WA5KRP]

http://www.vibroplex.com/vkdel.jpg


I bought my Vibrokeyer in 1971 to use with my Hallicrafters TO-Keyer. Both are still in service and the key looks just like that picture 34 years later. I reversed the paddles so I could send with my left hand instead of my right. That way I can use one hand to send and the other to log. (No, not simultaneously.)


WA5KRP
Texas

[kl7aj]

If you can get an old Brown Brothers set of paddles, you'd be thrilled. I like them even better than my current Benchers....but they're getting sorta hard to find these days.


eric

[ab8ma]

I have a Vibroblex iambic. Cannot make out the model. But here is my best find since butter. I use a pad under the darn thing. I know this is not a good reflection of my technique, but the darn thing wanted to move around while I was sending.

I use a "magic key gripper". I have no affiliation myself, other than the fact that it works, and they may not be around anymore. Used to be out of Allegan, Michigan

[AK7V]

I like my Palm Radio mini-paddles. They're small, well built, and feel great. Kind of expensive for small paddles, but not compared to standard sized ones with a similar feel.

[KF0RT]

I have the LTA CRDO combo key too. Nice set of paddles for the $$$ (about $120 as I recall). The only thing I don't like about it is they wired the straight key to the DAH side of the paddles instead of providing a separate connection. This means switching the rig from "keyer" mode to "bug" mode to use the straight key.

73, Rob

[kd7msc]

Quote[/b] (kl7aj @ Oct. 20 2005,14:56)]If you can get an old Brown Brothers set of paddles, you'd be thrilled. # I like them even better than my current Benchers....but they're getting sorta hard to find these days.


eric
I will second that comment. I have a straight key, paddle combo from Brown Brothers. I use this in my mobil during vhf contests. These where givin to me by my elmer and I like it much better than my Bencher paddles. The Brown Brothers can take a real beating.
73, Sean http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KF0RT]

Quote[/b] (ab8ma @ Oct. 20 2005,16:15)]I have a Vibroblex iambic. Cannot make out the model. But here is my best find since butter. I use a pad under the darn thing. I know this is not a good reflection of my technique, but the darn thing wanted to move around while I was sending.

I use a "magic key gripper". I have no affiliation myself, other than the fact that it works, and they may not be around anymore. Used to be out of Allegan, Michigan
Marshall Emm at Morse Express sends out a non-skid pad with every set of paddles. This is real helpful with the lighter paddles or for those who are a bit "ham fisted."

I think this is just kitchen drawer material. You know... the stuff you put under your flatware tray to keep it from sliding around. Sort of a rubberized matting with some texture. I'm sure this is available in any hardware or home improvement place. A yard of it is probably enough to outfit the whole local CW club. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

73, Rob

[w5alt]

Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ Oct. 20 2005,18:59)]I have the LTA CRDO combo key too. #Nice set of paddles for the $$$ (about $120 as I recall). #The only thing I don't like about it is they wired the straight key to the DAH side of the paddles instead of providing a separate connection. #This means switching the rig from "keyer" mode to "bug" mode to use the straight key.
That's the key and paddle combo that I use, too - one at the house and one in the condo. My only observation is that getting the paddles adjusted just right for me (I like the contacts REAL close) took some playing. Also the spring on the paddles was too loose for my preference, but putting a twist in it fixed that easily enough.

Even my wife says they look real nice with the cherry wood base and gold plating. That's why she bought them as a present.

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[af2cw]

Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ Oct. 20 2005,18:59)]I have the LTA CRDO combo key too. #Nice set of paddles for the $$$ (about $120 as I recall). #The only thing I don't like about it is they wired the straight key to the DAH side of the paddles instead of providing a separate connection. #This means switching the rig from "keyer" mode to "bug" mode to use the straight key.

73, Rob
On the FT-920 all that is required is to turn off the built in keyer to use the straight key.

[k5xyl]

Being a ham only 5 years with the last 3 of those being mainly CW, I haven't had a huge selection of keys/paddles to select from but I do know that I will always choose single lever paddles over iambic. I currently have a set by G4ZPY and also a set by Kent. I am "ham fisted" and the Kent tends to stay in place since the base is much heavier but I find they have a somewhat "clunky" feel while keying when compared to the ZPY. I also have an Autronic single lever paddle but it is in need of some repairs and is hard to adjust. The Autronic set is super heavy though and I don't even need anything under it to keep it from sliding around.

I found a little gel pad at the local auto parts store. The pad is slightly sticky to the touch and is really designed to keep items secured on your dashboard. It makes a fine, skid proof mat for my key and the stickiness can be renewed and the gel pad cleaned by simply running it under the tap for a few seconds.

73, DeAnne K5XYL

[KF0RT]

Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Oct. 20 2005,17:15)]Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ Oct. 20 2005,18:59)]I have the LTA CRDO combo key too. Nice set of paddles for the $$$ (about $120 as I recall). The only thing I don't like about it is they wired the straight key to the DAH side of the paddles instead of providing a separate connection. This means switching the rig from "keyer" mode to "bug" mode to use the straight key.
That's the key and paddle combo that I use, too - one at the house and one in the condo. My only observation is that getting the paddles adjusted just right for me (I like the contacts REAL close) took some playing. Also the spring on the paddles was too loose for my preference, but putting a twist in it fixed that easily enough.

Even my wife says they look real nice with the cherry wood base and gold plating. That's why she bought them as a present.

73,
Walt, W5ALT
You're right, Walt. From the "factory" it takes a little adjusting and I found the spring tension to be way too light also. And the tension on the straight key is too heavy for my tastes, but it's okay once the spring is backed off as far as it'll go. I assume that any key or paddle set will have to be adjusted to the user's tastes, though, so the LTA isn't unique in that regard, and it's easy to adjust.

I have my spring set about as far out as it'll go, with no twist. Seems about right for me.

73, Rob

[KF0RT]

Quote[/b] (kg2hg @ Oct. 20 2005,17:22)]Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ Oct. 20 2005,18:59)]I have the LTA CRDO combo key too. Nice set of paddles for the $$$ (about $120 as I recall). The only thing I don't like about it is they wired the straight key to the DAH side of the paddles instead of providing a separate connection. This means switching the rig from "keyer" mode to "bug" mode to use the straight key.

73, Rob
On the FT-920 all that is required is to turn off the built in keyer to use the straight key.
I guess the real question on this is how much is involved. Not that I use the straight key much... On the TS-570, you have to go to menu 22 and switch "Bug mode" off and on. Not as simple as a single front-panel button to do it, but it works. And I could probably make it easier if I learned how to use the programmable function key.

I've decided that this is one problem that doesn't deserve attention, though.

73, Rob

[WA2ZDY]

My Vibroplex Code Warrior Jr came with a little pad about three inches on a side that seems to be made of half thickness mouse pad material. Works just fine to hold the paddle in place. So I guess in the absence of anything better, a mouse pad might do the job if it's not too thick for the individual's tastes.

[af2cw]

At the bottom of the LTA CRDO there are four small pads of "puddy" as it were. #They are covered with non-stick paper. #Once the paper is removed, the puddy keeps the key from sliding around the desk. #Which is pretty good once you've established the proper position for the key. #That leaves the non-skid pad sent with the key to be used under my J-38 to keep it in one place.

[KF0RT]

Quote[/b] (kg2hg @ Oct. 20 2005,19:44)]At the bottom of the LTA CRDO there are four small pads of "puddy" as it were. They are covered with non-stick paper. Once the paper is removed, the puddy keeps the key from sliding around the desk. Which is pretty good once you've established the proper position for the key. That leaves the non-skid pad sent with the key to be used under my J-38 to keep it in one place.
That's true. Some sort of "silly putty" stuff, and it definately works. I've had mine for a little over a year -- it's been moved numerous times and the key still sticks to the table.

Not sure how long it will last and I don't think I'd put it on "fine furnature" but so far, it seems to get the job done.

73, Rob

[WA2ZDY]

Speaking of mouse pads, I don't use one at my computer. I use a trackpad. But out here in the parlour, where I am now, my wife uses a mouse and a pad. This mousepad is thin, just like the one that came with my paddle. Maybe they're all getting this thin? It would work just fine for a paddle/bug.

[WS2L]

I have a Bencher paddle that I use once in a while but I prefer my Bug over any other key.

[w8znx]

Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ Oct. 20 2005,16:51)]#Not that I use the straight key much... #On the TS-570, you have to go to menu 22 and switch "Bug mode" off and on. #Not as simple as a single front-panel button to do it, but it works. #And I could probably make it easier if I learned how to use the programmable function key.

I've decided that this is one problem that doesn't deserve attention, though.

73, Rob
Hello Gang
hate menu driven radios
having to jump thrugh hoops
to do some thing that should
be hooked to a switch

trying to turn on or off the noise blanker
or do any thing in the menu
on my IC 703 is such a pain

makes me love my FT-7, FT- 102, FT-920
and old tube radios that much more

oh forgot to mention
what was the best bang for your buck paddles

The Arizona scQRPions

Scorpion Paddle Kit sold for only 25 dollars
if you did a good job, you had great looking
brass paddles, that also work very well

they stopped making them about a year ago

oh by the way anybody else here
have a K4TWJ Wild Woody straight key

yours truly Mac dit dit