10/04/2013

My paddles

Paddle is a big concern for CW operators.
 
I have 3 paddles so far. No intention to add anyone to them. Though each is not perfect yet, I am always using Chevron. From left to right in the photo below, Chevron, Mercury by Bencher, Profi by Schurr.
 

 
 
I believe there are 3 major factors which determine the quality of a paddle.
 
 
1) Contact:
The contacts between the lever and the fixed column side should be perfect. This won't be a major problem with these paddles. But Chevron sometimes has a contact problem between the column and the screwfixing the contact. Applying contact grease at the screw, I rarely have this problem. It is still sometimes annoying. Without this problem, this Chevron is the best.  Chevron has upgraded to a new model, which might have been solved with this issue. Another paddle I used to use years ago has had a contact problem at the pivots of the levers. When contact seems not perfect, we should suspect of not only the problem with the contacts surfaces themselves but also the other parts described here.
 
2)Weight and resistence:
The lever weight and the mechanical resistence at the pivots of the levers should be as light as possible. The tension should be maximized when the lever is pushed as well. The movement of the levers are most important for paddle function. It should be as smooth as our hand. Yes, it should be an extention of our fist. From this point of view, the lever and the associated structure should be as light weighed as possible. It will minimize the motion resistence as well as the inertia. This is, however, contradictory to the following factor. The magnets make the characteristics of the tension ideal. The spring for tension as with Schurr is not ideal. All 3 of my paddles are pretty satisfactory as for this point. 
 
3)Rebouncing sensation:
I was pretty happy to have Mercury at first. It won't take me long to realize that it causes an uncomfortable sensation of rebouncing with that paddle. I guess the lever is so light that it causes a fine vibrtion proper to the system due to its striking to the fixed contact. That vibration should be felt as a rebouncing sensation. Increasing the tension and narrowing the contact spaces, it could be diminished to some extent. But it is not perfect. I guess the light weight, whether it was designed or not, should be the cause of this problem.
 
I still love these paddles.
 
No, I won't buy any more. Possibly.

11 comments:

  1. I guess you should get a Begali, Sculpture or Graciella.
    Bcse I want to know how do you think about paddles of Begali. Hi Hi

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    Replies
    1. Begali products are also very fascinating to me. Once I start collecting various keys, it might become an endless journey for me. So I would go on with these three paddles so far.

      They say "A bad workman quarrels with his tools".

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  2. Shin, you know that I feel left out in your discussion of the finer instruments of Morse. I do believe, under the Principle of Equal Time, as committed to by our media in this country, that you need to do a follow-up story on fine Semi-Automatic keys.

    Don

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    Replies
    1. Don,

      I am not qualified to talk about bug keys at all. I have only one Presentation by Vibroplex. I leave showing profound knowledge on bugs to you.

      Shin

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    2. Hi Don, Shin

      Don I heard you a few evenings ago on 40m but did not call you because you were in the noise here, but I could copy about half... you were using a bug for some time then I think you changed. It was good to hear your fist...

      About keys, I guess we all have our favourites. I like the Begali single lever and use it a lot with a bug emulation circuit by JA3KAB.... or I use the Viskey bug, either the vertical or the horizontal versions. Simple keys but effective....it took years to get comfortable with just these few keys after trying very many. Now I don't change around much...

      Shin your Chevron or Mercury always sounds great but I could never afford them !!

      Chat to you both soon I hope,.

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    3. Hi John Shin has given me good advise on my bug about slowing down and making letters and words more distinct. I will get faster over time, but accuracy is now the goal. Practice with Steve in the mornings helps me a lot.

      Bands are changing. We will connect soon.

      Don

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    4. John,

      You have got some bucks from teaching "the dynamic something". You may order the new model of Chevron with it.

      But your bug is a real art. You don't need a keyer at all.

      Shin

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    5. Everyone,

      I was only asked for advice on his bug keying by Don. That's why I told him something he mentioned in his comment here. His bug has a perfect style itself. Not so much to be changed at all. But if the inter-word spaces are a little bit more, it may sound even better to me. That was only a kind of my taste for bug keying. I am not imprudent to be willing to advise to such a proficient bug user as Don!

      Delete
  3. Shin,
    I have a new paddle I bought from Tom, G3HGE. It is called the "MagPad." It seems to work very well with the K3 internal keyer. It is an improvement over my Bencher.

    Dennis W0JX

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    Replies
    1. Dennis,

      Congratulations on getting "Mag Pad". Some people have well spoken of it. Have much fun with it.

      Shin

      Delete
  4. As you know Shin, I also have the Chevron , Mercury and Shurr to name a few. At QRQ speeds above 35 wpm there is a lot of bouncing effect, you have heard me complain of this many times. All of the duel lever paddles are for iambic keying, I have found out I can use my iambic paddles thru the Winkeyer Ultimatic mode using it non iambically. So I may put my Chevron back in service to try it again thru that program.
    I like my finger pieces to be closer together then the Chevron or Mercury. So I used the WBL model V22 non iambic paddles for many years which has adjustable arms as I like them closer to the table. As you know I bought the Begali Sculpture mono single lever about 1 yr ago, I must say they are my favorite. Of course no bouncing and Piero made me a finger piece that sits lower to the table. I can send 45 wpm much easier now with the Begali lol

    ReplyDelete