[Elecraft] Paddles for K2: Which one(s) and How to?

Wed Sep 10 10:48:00 2003

Paul:
  You don't really want to get "just a set of paddles."  Spring for 
something you can use now and grow into.  You don't know now just how much 
you may find cw high on your list later on, and it would be awful to have 
yourself saddled with poor paddles if you want to truly progress.  I would 
strongly urge you to avoid Bencher paddles.  Their performance is limited. 
Their adjustments are awkward, unstable and somewhat ineffective.  The 
pivot pins can ride up on the nylon conical bushings, for example, and 
cause the paddles to stick in either dot or dash position.  Since Bencher 
must certainly be aware of this problem (I know of numbers, including 
myself, who have complained), I cannot figure out why they continue to 
manufacture the items as they do.  It speaks a certain cynicism towards the 
customer.

  Kent makes some nice accessible paddles. I have also heard interesting 
things about the Begali (magnetic) paddles.  I use WBL, which, when they 
were available, were among the best bargains in ham radio.  Unfortunately, 
they are no longer made, but if you can find a set of V22s on e-bay or the 
like, grab them.

  I'm sure there will be dozens of other chiming in with good paddle 
suggestions that can be had at modest prices, but don't expect to get 
anything good cheaply.

best wishes,

dave belsley, w1euy

--On Wednesday, September 10, 2003 12:44 AM -0700 Paul Clay 
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I've always used a straight key, and want to learn
> to use paddles with the built in keyer in my K2.
>
> What reasonably priced, good quality brand/model
> of paddles would you all recommend?  Something
> that will work well for 15-17 words per minute
> (slow, I know) is what I'm looking for.
>
> Any tips (books?) you'd recommend on learning to
> use paddles or is it just "dive in and
> experiment".
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Paul
> N6LQ
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----------------------------------
David A. Belsley
Professor of Economics