Now that Palm paddles are no longer trading, what are others using for a portable paddle? I put an ad on a social media group a couple of days ago to see if anyone wants to part with a Palm paddle … worth a try!
Before i buy, what do other recommend?
Tnx for the replies, mostly homebrew paddles on that thread Eric, I did make a paddle once but it has gone missing, maybe I will try another homebrew paddle?
That looks like a well made paddle Bruno, never heard of them but will have a closer look.
A thought, rather than a recommendation - I’ve noticed that I use my Palm twin paddle key mostly as a single paddle, eg slapping either Dits or Dahs. About the only time I use it in iambic mode is calling CQ!
(but I’m not selling it
This is largely laziness on my part, in not taking the time to practice using it properly, but also partly because it is easier to do with cold stiff fingers on a summit. On the other hand, I find that sending at 16 to 20 WPM, which is about my comfortable range, and exchanging the small amounts of info that I typically do, iambic would be no great advantage.
So, if I were looking to build or buy a new paddle, I’d probably be investigating a single paddle, which is rather more simple to build, and should be a bit cheaper to buy.
I concur, especially after my awful sending yesterday. It was bitterly cold and 45mins of operating in “Steptoe gloves” was the limit. I have a new pair of Thinsulate lined fleece gives which helped to warm my fingers but I could barely anything through them let alone the paddle tips. A single paddle probably would be easier in those circumstances.
100% agree Andy. I use a single paddle Bushwacker from AME on a homebrew leg mount and even with my really thick winter gloves I can still send at 25 wpm. This paddle has a good size “blade” which makes it easy to use with gloves, I made the leg mount out of 4mm perspex and it also has an old Casio watch on there for timekeeping. American Morse Equipment - Bushwacker Sideswiper/Single Lever Paddle Kit
Flattery will get you everywhere with a vain peacock like me!
The more I think about it the more I realise that in the Summer or when it’s warm I send using iambic keying and when it’s cold I treat the paddles more like a single lever and it’s probably down to lack of feeling from cold or thick gloves.
I have a 1-metre length cable between my Palm Pico and KX2. If not too cold, I use the Velcro leg strap (see photo) which works fine whilst sitting or standing. In cold weather I have the paddles inside my winter jacket side pocket on the metal plate. I rest my ring and little fingers on the plate to stop it from moving about when keying.
That is AAA cell to give a size comparison. £16.03 from a chap in CZ. I was a little concerned about the action as it uses micro switches, it works just fine.
Hello all, we have also magnetic paddle MK2, with better gold plated contacts and 3.5 mm jack. Will be available soon, work in progress… I hope 20 PCs will be done next week…
Thank you for your compliment, Ondra!
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73 de Jan ok1qo