[Elecraft] Key f/u/w K1

[Jessie Oberreuter]

On Wed, 17 Apr 2002 W7MPZ@aol.com wrote:

> Thinking of purchasing a key f/u/w the K1 during portable use.  Looking at 
> the Palm Mini-Paddle.  Would appreciate comments from some who are using the 
> Palm Mini-Paddle, mounting, ruggedness and overall satisfaction.  Thanks in 
> advance.

     I have a Palm mini-paddle, and it's a fine key!  I'd actually rate it
better than my Bencher paddles in terms of action and feel.  The Palm is
just a wee bit too small, tho, to be my regular desk paddles :).  The
paddles-in-tube thang works REALLY well, and they are most rugged.  The
connector, however, leaves something to be desired.  It's just a 3-pin
edge connector.  If you plug and un-plug often, you'll prolly want to
replace the cable side connector with a right angle connector mounted to a
small piece of perf board.  I really wish they had just integrated a
mini-stereo jack...  Plenty of no-drill options for mounting.
     My portable key of choice has actually become a re-worked DK1WE
Twinkey.  Alas, it took forever to get my first one (the first one sent
got lost in the mail), and I've been trying for months to get another :(.  
Out of the box, I'd rate them pretty low (nearly useless).  After taking
it apart, replacing the spacers, adding a wire washer to change the bolt
tension, and gluing down the finger pads, I give the little guys a near
perfect 10.  I'd love to get one with locked down brass finger pads as
well.  Maybe not as pretty or comfy as the wood, but they would be nearly
indestructable :).


--
Jessie Oberreuter
joberreu@moselle.com
"He's a bit on edge, Mr. Johnston -- he hasn't slept since 1945."