RE: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
I have a single lever Kent paddle. I bought it when I had a microHam CW Keyer attached to an IC-706. That keyer had an option to select a single lever paddle mode. I believe it was the Ultimatic option. It worked well and I preferred it over my Bencher paddle used in mode A. The keyer would also monitor your keying and you could see how well you were sending. It was great. I am now using the same Kent key on the K3. Things are not quite right. When I use the TEXT DECODE function I see that letters like C often come out as NN! It is as if the K3 keyer is expecting the dot after a dash to be keyed during the dash down time (or so close after that the timing becomes to critical). AS IF SQUEEZE mode was still possible. The end result is that instead of using the large muscle slap style that makes the single lever paddle so easy you must use the tiny finger movements of an iambic paddle with the same kind of light touch and small movements in order to get the inter character spacing correct! I was glad to see comments reflecting this problem in the responses to this thread. I hope that firmware will correct this soon. Right now I am getting better with my straight key than I am with my Kent paddle! Referring to the comments by Don W3FPR, yes you can use an iambic paddle as a single lever paddle by choosing Ultimatic mode but you also can just not squeeze. The difference for me was that the single lever Kent paddle has a different feel. Even using my Bencher in Ultimatic mode or just NOT squeezing I still made mistakes because of the small muscle precision required. With the Kent paddle, the spacing can be opened up and the tension increased and this combined with the fact that you can use your arm/shoulder (i.e. large) muscles to do the work rather that the tip of your fingers and thumbs and wrist (i.e. small muscles)to key. BTW, the very high speed cw ops use single lever paddles because the tiny movements of iambic keyers cannot be controlled well at high speeds. Last, but not least, the Kent paddle is heavy and stays put and looks good. If I had the money I might bought a Bengali single lever paddle but I got the Kent by making an offer lower than the buy it now price on an eBay auction that was accepted Jack AE6GC KX1 1403, K3 1433. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 7:44 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle Ralph, I do not have a single lever paddle for sale, but I suffer from similar problems. If you cannot find a decent single lever paddle at a price your ham budget can afford (the Bengali is outside my price range), I suggest that you try one of the K1EL keyers in Ultimatic mode - it works for me - it makes a standard paddle respond almost like a single lever paddle, press the dash and it gives dashes, press the dot and out comes a dit - it just feels right to my brain. I have been asking periodically that the Elecraft built-in keyers support Ultimatic mode for folks like us, but so far, it has been low on the priority list (but is not being ignored). 73, Don W3FPR ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
I think I'd like to see Ultimatic mode too, I'm thinking I'll have to learn Iambic though, because most rigs don't support Ultimatic. But Ultimatic does sound like the easier and frankly, more logical mode. Maybe I'll have to borrow a friends keyer to give it a try. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case, the idea is quite staggering. -Arthur C Clarke, science fiction writer (1917- ) On 26 Aug 2008, at 03:44, Don Wilhelm wrote: Ralph, I do not have a single lever paddle for sale, but I suffer from similar problems. If you cannot find a decent single lever paddle at a price your ham budget can afford (the Bengali is outside my price range), I suggest that you try one of the K1EL keyers in Ultimatic mode - it works for me - it makes a standard paddle respond almost like a single lever paddle, press the dash and it gives dashes, press the dot and out comes a dit - it just feels right to my brain. I have been asking periodically that the Elecraft built-in keyers support Ultimatic mode for folks like us, but so far, it has been low on the priority list (but is not being ignored). ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
A lot of people talk about how difficult squeeze keying is to learn. I sure don't want to lessen their position, but I confess I find it baffling. To me squeeze keying is very natural and intuitive. I went from a straight key to a keyer years ago without learning a bug or cootie key. Maybe that had something to do with it. I learned iambic squeeze keying when I was doing CW at 8 wpm. Maybe that had something to do with it. Many years later I learned to use a bug (lot's of fun BTW). It did take me a while, but that had more to do with learning to form dashes manually. Learning to not squeeze was the easy part. I guess after years (decades) of buggin', many ops find it hard to retrain the muscles and brain to send CW with a slightly different pattern. I'm interested in a single lever paddle so I can use it as a cootie (my next mountain to conquer). 73! - Keith N1AS - - K3 711 - -Original Message- From: David Ferrington, M0XDF I think I'd like to see Ultimatic mode too, I'm thinking I'll have to learn Iambic though, because most rigs don't support Ultimatic. But Ultimatic does sound like the easier and frankly, more logical mode. Maybe I'll have to borrow a friends keyer to give it a try. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
Hello, Question about the Vibroplex key, the Vibrokeyer. Is it a sideswiper, or does it have automatic dots completion like the original model? Best, DW Holtman WB7SSN - Original Message - From: David Ferrington, M0XDF [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 7:51 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle I think I'd like to see Ultimatic mode too, I'm thinking I'll have to learn Iambic though, because most rigs don't support Ultimatic. But Ultimatic does sound like the easier and frankly, more logical mode. Maybe I'll have to borrow a friends keyer to give it a try. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case, the idea is quite staggering. -Arthur C Clarke, science fiction writer (1917- ) On 26 Aug 2008, at 03:44, Don Wilhelm wrote: Ralph, I do not have a single lever paddle for sale, but I suffer from similar problems. If you cannot find a decent single lever paddle at a price your ham budget can afford (the Bengali is outside my price range), I suggest that you try one of the K1EL keyers in Ultimatic mode - it works for me - it makes a standard paddle respond almost like a single lever paddle, press the dash and it gives dashes, press the dot and out comes a dit - it just feels right to my brain. I have been asking periodically that the Elecraft built-in keyers support Ultimatic mode for folks like us, but so far, it has been low on the priority list (but is not being ignored). ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
David, If you want Ultimatic mode, look at the K1EL keyers (Google for URL), the K12 is the low end keyer that supports Ultimatic and is priced at $17 USD with no enclosure - it is small enough to fit inside many transceivers but I put mine in a small box to be used with several different transceivers. Ultimatic makes us 'slap paddle' users able to generate better code. 73, Don W3FPR David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: I think I'd like to see Ultimatic mode too, I'm thinking I'll have to learn Iambic though, because most rigs don't support Ultimatic. But Ultimatic does sound like the easier and frankly, more logical mode. Maybe I'll have to borrow a friends keyer to give it a try. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
Thanks Don, I was just looking at the WKUSB, but will look at the K12 because I could do the same. I guess since the keyers use the key in jack of the K3, I can still use the message records of the K3 too? And not quite sure what the PTT jack on the WKUSB is for? 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse. -Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (1927-1989) On 26 Aug 2008, at 15:35, Don Wilhelm wrote: David, If you want Ultimatic mode, look at the K1EL keyers (Google for URL), the K12 is the low end keyer that supports Ultimatic and is priced at $17 USD with no enclosure - it is small enough to fit inside many transceivers but I put mine in a small box to be used with several different transceivers. Ultimatic makes us 'slap paddle' users able to generate better code. 73, Don W3FPR David Ferrington, M0XDF wrote: I think I'd like to see Ultimatic mode too, I'm thinking I'll have to learn Iambic though, because most rigs don't support Ultimatic. But Ultimatic does sound like the easier and frankly, more logical mode. Maybe I'll have to borrow a friends keyer to give it a try. 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
Yes, I thought that is probably the way to go, but it does mean I'd have to carry the keyer around and I liked the idea of having the keyer in the K3 (not to mention that I hope to use a KX1 someday). Thanks for confirmation of that being the way to go. Ideally, elecraft will implement Ultimatic in the K3 - soon ? 73 de M0XDF, K3 #174 -- If all is not lost, where is it? On 26 Aug 2008, at 15:17, Terry Myers wrote: Built in keyers change from rig to rig, so buy a key you like and a keyer you like and just move it from rig to rig. There are fewer menus to learn and fewer adjustments. Not to mention fewer cw errors sent. I have the Kent single level paddle and a Super CMOS III keyer that are my favorite combination. I have tried many others, but this is my favorite setup. My first keyer was a Accu-keyer I built from a handbook article. I sold it for something new and regretted it. I tried many keys and keyers over the years and found that simple was best. It came down to two paddles for me. The Vibroplex and the Kent and the Kent won because it did not require the hand to be raised above the table surface. Both are good paddles, but that made the difference for me. I made a Plexiglas dust cover for the Kent and then built my Super CMOS III keyer in an enclosure that would sit on top of the dust cover. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
Don Wilhelm wrote: If you want Ultimatic mode, look at the K1EL keyers (Google for URL), the K12 is the low end keyer that supports Ultimatic and is priced at $17 USD with no enclosure - it is small enough to fit inside many transceivers but I put mine in a small box to be used with several different transceivers. Ultimatic makes us 'slap paddle' users able to generate better code. Yes! I am a slapper and will be until I'm SK. I've tried to learn the squeeze, but it's been very much like my trying to learn to play the piano. Trust me, you don't want to hear me try. Except for my proletarian-looking WW2 Lionel J36 that I modified to a single lever for the keyer I built in high school, I've always used Benchers ... they seemed to be plentiful, not too costly, and ubiquitous [love that word!]. Then I bought a HexKey from E'craft. Wow! What a difference in feel! Currently, I have the Hex on the K3 and the shiny chrome Bencher on the K1EL. Not only do I like the Hex better, I like the ability to adjust the keying weight on the K3 in small increments. I'll keep my K1EL, if for no other reason than I assembled it into the enclosure of my choice. God willing, I will be at N6A for the Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct. We're hoping to work a bunch of Elecrafters on both phone and CW. If you want Alpine County CA, we're your guys. We're usually your ONLY guys! 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2008 Cal QSO Party 4-5 Oct 08 - www.cqp.org ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
I'm a little puzzled by the issue of dual vs. single-lever paddles. I used a bug for almost 20 years then built and used a Iambic Accu-keyer for almost as long before returning to the bug about a decade ago. I switch a lot between paddles and mechanical keys because paddles, especially the paddles on my KX1, are much more convenient in the field than either a hand pump or a bug. The fact that I'm using dual paddles doesn't seem to make any difference. I have the KXPD1 and a set of original Scotia magnetic paddles. The paddle spacing on the Scotia key is just about the same as either my Speed-X or Vibroplex bug. Of course the 'action' is a lot lighter on the paddles, but isn't that true of all paddles, single or dual-lever? Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
Ralph, I do not have a single lever paddle for sale, but I suffer from similar problems. If you cannot find a decent single lever paddle at a price your ham budget can afford (the Bengali is outside my price range), I suggest that you try one of the K1EL keyers in Ultimatic mode - it works for me - it makes a standard paddle respond almost like a single lever paddle, press the dash and it gives dashes, press the dot and out comes a dit - it just feels right to my brain. I have been asking periodically that the Elecraft built-in keyers support Ultimatic mode for folks like us, but so far, it has been low on the priority list (but is not being ignored). 73, Don W3FPR Ralph Tyrrell wrote: Well I think I do. I bought a Vibroplex back in 1950 and got used to it. I tried to go iambic in the mid 70s and failed, tried again with the K1 in 2003 (mode a). Using an iambic key is too many mistakes for me. I optained an MK-33 Whiterook single lever key and it works well, but has no adjustment and is not heavy enought to stay put without putting my other hand on it to hold it. So any comments from Kent single lever key owners? Does anyone want to sell one? Does anyone in the US sell them? Thanks, 73, W1TF, K3 #696, K1 # 1423 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.7/1631 - Release Date: 8/24/2008 12:15 PM ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
Hi Ralph, So any comments from Kent single lever key owners? Does anyone want to sell one? Does anyone in the US sell them? I bought the Kent Single-Level paddle ($140) from HRO here in Denver a few months ago. Having seen some discussion on this reflector I thought I'd give it a try. I've use Iambic keying with dual-lever paddles since the beginning of my ham career and have found that switching to a single-lever technique is not for me. I'll sell this Kent paddle with an attached shielded cable and 1/8 plug for $125 shipped. If interested let me know. Gus Hansen KB0YH ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] WTB - Kent single lever paddle
Take a look at N3ZN's single lever key: http://www.n3znkeys.com/modelznSL.html While the price might be a bit higher than you're looking at, his keys are excellent quality and craftsmanship. I prefer my N3ZN iambic key over the revered Profi sitting beside it in the shack. The Profi has better and more solid feeling space adjustments, but the ZN paddle just feels better in action. Regards Eric NO3M (ex. NI3S) Ralph Tyrrell wrote: Well I think I do. I bought a Vibroplex back in 1950 and got used to it. I tried to go iambic in the mid 70s and failed, tried again with the K1 in 2003 (mode a). Using an iambic key is too many mistakes for me. I optained an MK-33 Whiterook single lever key and it works well, but has no adjustment and is not heavy enought to stay put without putting my other hand on it to hold it. So any comments from Kent single lever key owners? Does anyone want to sell one? Does anyone in the US sell them? Thanks, 73, W1TF, K3 #696, K1 # 1423 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
