[Elecraft] N3ZN Key Report

Wed Oct 20 17:18:34 EDT 2010

The ZN-SLR is certainly amongst the best single lever keys ever made.  I 
don't know to what extreme you like your spacing, but I typically have 
mine set to the point where the contact is closed and then backed off 
ever so slightly; I also set magnetic tension rather light.  Most single 
levers suffer from the inability to precisely return to center and need 
to be adjusted to compensate for the "sloppiness".  The ZN-SLR is the 
best I've ever seen in that respect, ie. dual-lever type spacing can be 
achieved.

73 - Eric NO3M
SLR 034

On 10/20/10 14:50, stan levandowski wrote:
> A number of Elecraft listers asked me to report my impressions when my
> ZN-SLR paddle arrived.
>
> I'd like to report that the Tony Baleno (N3ZN) model ZN-SLR single lever
> paddle has exceeded my expectations in every respect.  Foremost, it is
> giving me that "special feel" that I've been searching for since I tried
> out a real Mercury key at W1AW a few years ago.
>
> My impressions are, of course, mine, and perhaps not everyone will agree
> but that's OK.  My report is within the following context: I've been a
> Morse-only operator for over 50 years and I am "fluent" with straight
> keys, bugs, a sideswiper, and  the paddle.  I "don't do" iambic and I
> copy my own code (code readers are about as welcome as microphones in my
> house). I prefer sending and receiving code somewhere in the
> neighborhood of 18-22 wpm.
>
> The main problem that this ZN-SLR solved for me was the random "extra"
> dits and dahs that came from my Scheunemann-Morsetasten SP-1 which was
> also a single lever paddle and made in Germany.  The SP-1 was indeed a
> beautifully machined key with an integral dust cover.  I just could not
> get the spacing close enough for my personal style.  When I did, the
> random characters would start to appear.  The SP-1 was not a magnetic
> return key but used springs.
>
> When my new ZN-SLR arrived, I plugged it into the K2, set the keyer
> speed to 18 wpm and sent an entire page of QST with not a single error.
> I continued to test it out at speeds from 12 wpm (I'm presently making
> digital files at this speed for a ham to whom I've teaching Morse) up to
> 30 wpm (the fastest speed at which  I can reliably send and receive).
> Solid performance throughout this range!
>
> The "feel" of the ZN-SLR is "silky-smooth" for want of a better term,
> and it makes me feel very confident that each character I'm going to
> send is going to come out just as intended.  Once again, this is
> difficult to describe in words, but a cw op will know what I'm talking
> about.
>
> There is no annoying "clacking" - the ZN-SLR actually makes very little
> noise.  This was a great relief for me because my previous SP-1 was
> quite loud at the spacing I needed to use to send without the random
> dits and dahs.
>
> Another VERY important discovery I made was that the ZN-SLR CANNOT BE
> PUSHED AROUND ON MY DESK!  This was a grand discovery for me.  I'm an
> ex-Navy radioman and, although I prefer closer spacing, I sometimes like
> to slap my bugs and paddles (and even the cootie!).  All my other keys
> required some of that rug anti-skid material under them to stay put.
> With the ZN-SLR just sitting on my wooden desk, it didn't budge, not
> once, and no matter how hard I whacked it.  The four rubber feet that
> Tony installed seem to be made of a nice soft rubber material.  I
> suspect that the round base design and the center of gravity also may
> play a role in the key's superior ability to stay put.  Although I've
> stated that I like to "slap" my keys sometimes, when using my wrist and
> elbow, I also like to rest my hand on the desk and stroke the
> fingerpiece with my thumb and forefinger in a sliding motion.  The
> ZN-SLR responds equally well, with comfort and accuracy, to this
> technique.
>
> For a non-iambic operator, the single lever paddle, in my opinion, is a
> better choice and substantially reduces sending errors.  I asked Tony
> Baleno to double the fingerpiece thickness for me (as suggested by one
> of the Elecraft listers here) and it turned out to be a great idea.
> Tony advised me that he now intends to make this a standard feature on
> the ZN-SLR.
>
> The construction of this key is very impressive.  It easily, in my
> opinion, competes with the German SP-1.  I never could find a single
> fault with the SP-1 and I can't find one on the ZN-SLR either.  I tend
> to be a stickler for precision, having built a couple of experimental
> airplanes.  There are no tooling marks to be found on my key; no
> unfinished edges, no skimping on the workmanship and finish on the
> bottom!  For example, there are three setscrews on the front, above the
> fingerpiece.  I measured them and they are perfectly spaced and the
> middle one is dead center on the fingerpiece seam.  It also lines up
> with the exact center of my callsign plate which is just above.  These
> are the sort of details which, in my opinion, distinguish the true
> craftsperson from the rest of the pack.
>
> Did I mention that the WB2LQF callsign plate was a no-charge item, as
> was the nice soft brush to dust the key?
>
> The key arrived in an oversized box densely packed with peanuts.  Inside
> was a smaller box in which the key was packed with handcut foam to
> protect it.  More evidence of a total quality approach.
>
> In my opinion, I really got my money's worth.  I cannot imagine ever
> needing or wanting another paddle.   The ZN-SLR's performance and
> workmanship is a fitting companion to my all-Elecraft station.  I now
> feel like I'm totally surrounded in "Made in America" quality.
>
> I had Rose Kopp make me a ZN-SLR paddle dust cover.  She called Tony for
> the dimensions.  It fits perfectly.  Bonus:  If I so choose, I can
> actually use the paddle with the cover on it.
>
> 73,
>
> Stan Levandowski WB2LQF
> HF QRP CW -- Doing more with less for over 50 years!
> QCWA #35038   OOTC #4558   NAQCC #4740   SKCC #6488   FISTS #14992
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