The pencil doesn’t have to be dropped. It’s easy to operate the iambic paddle with the pencil trapped between the rear part of the thumb, the index and the middle fingers of the same hand. The right hand in my case.
73,
Guru
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Only if you have nice slender fingers. My fingers are like short over stuffed Chorizos !
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I’m sure they are not that much “chorizos preñados” (pregnant chorizos).
Now that I’ve post a picture in my previous post, I bet you can do that without a problem and it’s much more convenient and faster to switch between logging and paddleing.
Let me know, please, if you tried it and found it OK.
73,
Guru
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I fixed an old bicycle helmet strap to my Te-Ne-Ke paddle and then I place the key and strap around my leg, near my knee and tighten the strap with the helmet clips. Very fast, easy, cheap …
The N0SA mini paddle I bought came with 3M/Scotch Dual Lock. It’s a velcro-type of fastener with a sticky backside. One small square stuck to the paddle base, the other to the radio. I have found that it holds the paddle firm, but I read a comment or two by other operators who don’t think as highly of it. It helps if you orient the wave pattern of the two pieces at 90 degrees from each other. An inexpensive option from the hardware or department store.
Peter KD0YOB
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotch-1-in-x-3-in-Black-Extreme-Fasteners-2-Sets-per-Pack-RF6731/204465390
Hi Guru,
Okay, that’s certainly better than dropping and picking up the pencil. But you’re still having to reposition the pencil in your fingers and thumb at the start and end of every over. No doubt it’s become automatic for you but it’s not as efficient as using both hands and neither hand or fingers having to move at all.
Also (as per my earlier link) I put the paddles inside my winter jacket (right-hand pocket) when very cold so I don’t need two keying techniques - one for summer and one for winter.
You are probably right, although, as you well guessed, the repositioning of the pencil is something I do so automatic that I don’t even think about how or when I do it.
One question: are you able to manipulate the iambic paddle with one hand AND write on the log with the other hand at the same time?
That would be awesome!
Many people approach me while I’m operating during a SOTA activation and start asking questions or making comments. I often don’t say anything and I may be found a rude guy, but it’s not rudeness, it’s that I can’t talk while I’m transmitting morse and this is something people not knowing the morse code can’t understand. I guess it happens to everybody, but when I’m transmitting morse code, my brain is already talking through my fingers manipulating the iambic paddle and it doesn’t have a parallel channel to talk through my mouth at the same time. It’s one or the other but never both at a time.
I guess that using one hand to operate the iamic paddle and the other hand to write down on the log is a bit of the same and I guess I wouldn’t be able to do it. Can you do it?
73,
Guru
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No way! My wife says I’m useless at multi-tasking (although I’m not really as bad as she claims).
Fortunately, CW QSOs are simplex so I don’t need to. In fact, I wonder if anyone could do it because sending (translation of sentences into Morse) and receiving (translation of Morse to sentences) surely involves the same part of the brain (like trying to talk and listen simultaneously).
The two tasks don’t overlap so it’s no different from what you do. Of course, I wouldn’t propose an experienced operator (like yourself) re-train to paddle with the other hand for a small efficiency benefit.
But, for a new operator looking to use a paddle for the first time, it’s worth considering teaching yourself to use your non-writing hand (which is otherwise not doing anything useful – unless it’s holding a glass of beer). After all, iambic paddling only involve your thumb and forefinger and, as I said, I had no trouble learning to use the opposite hand.
73 Andy
I use a clip board gizmo fits my summit log so i can write with my right hand. CW paddle a Palm Radio small paddle comes with a fitting with a magnet if you want to stick it to the chassis of your rig. I decided to attach the paddle mount to my clip board and I can send cw either hand so I use my left hand for sending and right hand for logging and shoeing flies. Another tip I find if the paddle is set with dots on the thumb i can send cw either hand so just flip the paddle up the other way to change the hand you are sending with. Always set you SOTA station up with the radio and key or mic on the opposite side of you seated position to your writing hand that way you don’t have to put down and pick up between writing or sending mic or pencil. Now expect to get a gaggle of tablet/iphone loggers with how they do it. Been good for me on 280 summits.
Regards Ian vk5cz …
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I added a very thin metal sheet to my clipboard and some magnets to the key box. So far I have not had issues.
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I always admired a member of the Guildford Club who could contest qso (with a pump key), carry on a different conversation and roll a cigarette - all at the same time!
Yes, we can only admit that most of us are poor limited mortals while there are some privileged individuals with exceptional overcapable brains that we all can just envy…
Cheers,
Guru
Palm Pico paddle
- Push by left hand to my log, work and keep pencil/ball pen like Guru shown on the photo
- Keep in left hand (not so good as first option due to possible slight movement of the paddle), rest as above.
73, Jarek
I have a Palm iambic paddle.
I hold the body in one hand and operate the paddles with the other.
73’s
David
G4ZAO
I use a 7" tablet for logging, with a leather cover. At the bottom end, I put a small metal strip, the magnet of the Palm Pico paddle holds it to the tablet. So I’m holding the tablet with the attached key in my right hand and keying wit the left hand.
73 Jens
I use a small WT8 straight key. I have velcro on the base of the key and velcro on the top of my lithium battery pack. The battery pack is about the same size as a slim paperback book and forms a stable platform that I can sit next to my rig. So long as you have a space on your rig, clipboard, battery pack, etc. the velcro should work. Effective, almost zero weight, quick to attach/remove, works in the wet.
Though, often just hold the key in my left hand.
I did briefly try a Palm Paddle with magnetic base which sat on top of my FT-817 quite nicely. However, if the soft case is on the 817 this didn’t work and I didn’t want to have to take the cover off every time I used the rig.
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I started with the hold the paddles with left hand, sent with right method. Now I fasten it to the board with 3M Industrial plastic “Velcro”. The interlocks are mushroom shaped. It holds the key EXTREMELY tight and firmly. Zero movement. I also hold the pen between my fingers to write and send. It is very automatic for me. I jot down the callsign and then immediately respond with their callsign and RST. While they are sending my report I write the QSO time and my RST. It works for me but your mileage my vary. Just try a few different styles. I’m sure you will find one that works for you.
Tim - K5DEZ
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This is my take on CW paddles. Hi Mound Manipulator with HB weather shield and Velcro ended boot laces attaching the key to my right leg.
Regards
David
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Now that you have been truly immersed in ideas, here comes another one. I went to the market and found a clip board with a wire clip on it. I removed the clip and re-positioned it to the right side as I am right handed. I then mounted my Whiterook model MK-33 on a 1/8th inch plastic base that was the same size as the base but longer on one side than the key. I then cut a groove in the longer side of the plastic base so the clip on the clipboard would hold the key stable. I have been using this for several activations and had great luck with it.
good luck with whatever you decide to do. They all sound like great ideas.
Jack
