[Fists] Paddles

[Stan Reas]

At 02:17 PM 1/23/2007 message:
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Sellmeyer" <ssellmeyer at inebraska.com>
>To: <fists at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:56 AM
>Subject: [Fists] Re: Fists Digest, Vol 36, Issue 22
>
>>I was wondering if others used the single lever paddle other than the iambic dual lever ones. I have the Ten-Tec 407 single lever and prefer it over the NORCAL paddles and AZ Scorpion paddles. And then again at my speed.................a straight key is probably best. Ha!
>>
>>When I do use the dual paddles I find myself batting them much as if they were all one lever.
>>
>>Steve/WBØQQT/#4239

Steve - WBØQQT:

I originally used a McElroy "Tear Drop" straight key with my mobile.  But then, since the Ten-Tec Scout 
has a built-in keyer, I decided I'd get a paddle to use with it.  So, I got a Bencher paddle.

Because the Bencher paddle would often get knocked around and jump off of its bearings, I bought a 
Ten-Tec Model 607 single lever paddle - back in August of 1999.  It is a quite "robust" paddle.  

I now use the Bencher only here in the shack for my K2 and OMNI 6. 

Having used a "Telegraph Apparatus Co" bug for 50+ years, I found it was a bit tough getting used to using a 
paddle.  I couldn't figure out how to "squeeze" the paddle, so I have been using the Bencher ever since with 
essentially the same motions I used for the bug.  Remembering that I don't need to make multiple dashes.

The Ten-Tec single lever is a snap to operate in the mobile, because I don't have to worry about squeezing 
it, I've got to actually move the paddle to each position, hit it with my thumb for the dots and with my fingers for 
the dashes.

I did have a lot of fun one day, I took my Rock Mite over to Riley, K4ORD home so he could see if he could make a 
QSO running 400 mW.  We got it set up and found the plug on his Bencher would not fit into the jack on the Rock Mite.
So, I went out to the car and got my Ten-Tec paddle.  We hooked it up and Riley tried to send with it, but said to 
me" "Nothing happens when I squeeze it"  

Seems he had transitioned directly from a straight key to a Bencher and learned how to use it "correctly" - so we had 
to resort to my doing the sending with the single lever paddle and him doing the receiving.  But we did manage a couple 
QRPp contacts.

So, that's the story of how this old guy operates the built-in keyer in his rigs, by slapping both sides of a Bencher paddle.
Don't know whether I'll ever figure out how to use the iambic features of any of the rigs and figure out how to squeeze 
the Bencher paddle. - Hi !

Keep pounding the brass folks, however you do it.

73, Stan - K4UK