[High-Speed-CW] Paddles

[Art]

Hi Mike,

I've gone through quite a few paddles since my novice days (1971).

The Vibroplex (Iambic) is a high mass unit and you have to pound the crap 
out of it, especially at higher speeds. It feels solid and smooth (with 
those ruby bearings), but has problems at 40 wpm and up due to the moving mass.

The Ten Tec paddles are the worst of both worlds although the snap action 
is a worthy attempt at making something that feels good and solid with low 
moving mass.

The Bencher is by far the best performer, it has very low moving mass and 
the contacts do not bounce. A little tap is all it takes too-no pounding on 
the paddles as with the Vibroplex Iambic. It feels the worst of them all 
tho, very flimsy feeling. But, goes well past 40 wpm without any problem.

I also tried a Brown Brothers straight key/iambic combo. It was smooth as 
silk and a bit heavy feeling. If a set of the Brown Brothers paddles found 
it's way here, I'd love to try them for an extended period to see how they 
run. When I tried them, it was at a contest station, so I ran them for 
quite a few hours, but only as a guest op at a m/m contest station.

I've noticed the market is filled with lotsa alternatives these days, but I 
haven't tried them. There might be something better these days.

Regards,

Art





>At 07:53 PM 2/2/04, you wrote:
>>What is everyone using for sending Morse's music? Paddles, Bug, keyboard?
>>
>>I use WBL V22 paddles. I was lucky enough to get some before Stan stopped
>>making them.
>>
>>73 de Mike, N9BOR
>>A-1, FISTS, JARL A-1, SMC
>>http://www.qsl.net/n9bor
>>
>>di dah dit - The only Roger Beep you'll ever need.