[PPRAANet] Paddle decision

[DickT-W0RAA]

Well, I am no longer in the market for a new paddle.  I've made a decision.
I didn't know there were so many paddles available. I guess I've lived a
sheltered life.  Hi Hi.

I got wind of the K8RA Paddle and went to
http://www.k8ra.com/index.html to check out his line.
I also read the overall reviews (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2387)
and then checked out the reviews on the single paddle version
(http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8485).  I then contacted K8RA
on the landline and he was very helpful.  I mentioned that I was
considering the Kent TP1 or SP1, and he said that either one would
be an excellent choice.  He didn't knock his competition.
He said he owned a Kent, but wasn't using it any longer.

The reviews on the K8RA paddles were excellent and more
current than reviews on other paddles.

I decided to go with the P6 (Single paddle) and he said that if I didn't 
like it,
I could return it for a full refund or for a different model within 45 days.
He mentioned that his paddles carry a lifetime warranty, but it's based on
his lifetime and he said he was over 60.  I told him I knew what he was 
saying.
He said in all the years he has been manufacturing paddles he has probably 
only
gotten 10 back, which speaks highly for sales of several thousand paddles.
I decided on the single paddle because I really never mastered the "squeeze"
technique of a dual paddle iambic in all the years of CW operation.  I think
that goes back to my learning years using a Vibroplex Bug.  I had
received several landline calls from MHDXA members and they said that
they (for the most part) had never mastered the squeeze technique either,
and these guys are real CW ops.  So, if I find that I don't like the single
paddle version of the K8RA paddles, I can return it and get a dual paddle
version (iambic).  That works for me.  Plus, I will be getting Rosewood 
Paddles
on my keyer along with a set of plastic paddles which are the standard 
paddles.
The Rosewood will enhance the look if not my sending.  Hi Hi.

I still have a Bencher Hex Key paddle available for $100.  If it sells, 
great.
If it doesn't, I'll use it with my FT-857D.  It's a nice paddle, but I just 
wanted
something different and I hope I made the right decision.
As they say (or used to say) "Film at 11."
Will send an update after I've used it for a while.

Thanks to all who contacted me with suggestions and comments.
I really appreciated every one of them.

73,

Dick
W0RAA