Good but inexpensive Morse Key and Iambic Paddle (
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- čas přidán 27. 03. 2018
- Here are two inexpensive but nicely constructed Morse keys. Both are 3D-printed. One, from www.thecheap3dprinter.etsy.com, is a set of iambic paddles for $30 (but note oggies can get $5 off!). The other is a straight key from www.cwmorse.us, available for $22. Both prices include shipping inside the USA. See them in action. I take apart the paddles so you can see what's inside. I also compare these to the JJ-38, the J-38, and an old railroad key. Subscribe: / davidcasler . Ask Dave Playlist: goo.gl/inaQeB. Tip Jar: ke0og.net/tip-jar
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Update: I got the the paddles and they didn't work. Tam replaced them, and the new ones had the same problem (user error, a.k.a "read the manual"--I hadn't set my rig properly). I apologized to Tam and offered pay for the paddles or return shipping--he said to donate them to a new ham or someone new to CW, which I did. I appreciate his responsiveness and generosity. BTW, the paddles work well too!
@Gregory Lopp You're right. Nobody cares what a bot does.
Bought one based on your recommendation and I'm very happy with it. I added some small rubber feet to help it stay on the desk a little easier.
im just getting started in all this and i didn't even know this type existed! I thought it was only those with that little handle and spring.... So much to learn.
Thanks Dave your videos very helpful !
I enjoyed the video and also ordered the 3D printed paddle. I think it will be perfect for portable operation where weight and space are important considerations.
Great video Dave.....looking forward to the F.A.R.N episode, it'll be tough to top last years.
I ordered the navy style camelback and the qrp nano key from CWMorse and I’m eagerly awaiting their arrival! Thanks for the review!
I received the 3D printed paddle and it works great!
Neat idea using magnets instead of springs.
I got mine a month or so ago. Its very well built.
The JJ-38 designation for the straight key sounds vaguely familiar, but I know it as an Ameco K-4. It was affordable for new hams and was made in Japan. I bought mine at the Santa Maria Swapfest in 1991. A vendor sold them attached to a heavy iron base finished with black crinkle paint. It is still my favorite straight key and has a fair number of fans.
Just ordered one!
Thanks for the great video, Dave! It was great to meet you a few weeks back on TAC 310. I recommend the camelback keys from cwmorse. Mine works great with no base needed. I dare say that it feels just as good as my Nye Viking.
I am happy to hear that someone has developed an affordable key that cost less than the price of a monthly mortgage payment. Pricing for iambic paddle keys and straight keys have blossomed out of control. Thanks David for presenting this. thecheap3dprinter iambic paddle will be a great addition to my portable go bag. I currently own the Bencher BY1 with the MFJ Keyer addon and a Kent Classic iambic key. The Bencher with the MFJ keyer was my first key/keyer combination that I needed for my HW-9 transceiver because it not keyer built into the chassis. There were no pico keyers or anything miniature in 1986. When I purchased the Yaesu FT817ND, 2002, I only required a key and I purchased the Kent key. Both keys are a delight to use but I dislike taking out of the protected environment of my QTH shack. This 3D printed key will be ideal for use outdoors. It may work better too especially when the air is humid. HI Even with a heavy base I use a square of shelf foam, the kind used in kitchen cabinets, to prevent the key from dancing around. I haven't developed a light touch to the paddles yet.
After having been out of ham radio for 25+ years, I have taken my TS-440S out of storage and have been enjoying it for a few POTA events. I have an MFJ -422B that I use for CW. I have seen these 3D printed iambic paddle units, but don’t think they’ll work for me. I am going to need to wait until I make a decision on a new radio. Staying at home. The TS-440S is a great radio. Going to the park on a regular basis. A smaller radio will be more practical. And, a radio designed for operations that did not exist when my radio was designed. I have written down the URL for the keyer, and I liked the idea of using my alma mater’s colors.
Got both keys Dave and they are great for portable work.
Don’t want to take my nice and heavier keys in the field.
The straight key is available with a nice heave base too.
73
wd4dda
I have a couple (actually three) of Joseph Delgado's keys. They are very nice for portable operation.
Thanks Dave for this informative video. It inspired me to experiment with building my own iambic paddles.
Tip for beginners: if you have a straight key with a short bar, such as the JJ-38 in this video, devise a clip that will hold it firmly open at all times. We rarely or never use that function anymore, but the bar tends to close itself in travel, after which you might connect it to a live transmitter and... you're live too. If the transmitter in question hasn't been matched to its antenna (which it often isn't, if you're just now patching in the key), you can easily destroy the rig that way. Securing the short bar with a clip of #14 wire, or a small zip tie, or some tape, or whatever gets the job done, can save you major heartache.
Or just unscrew it and remove it. But I've used it for ages as a "tuning" switch that turns on the transmitter while I tune it.
Yeah, but I like the way it looks. I used to use my short bar to tune up my old Globe Chief 90A, but since I went solid state I can accomplish that easily enough with one hand. But I leave it inline just to show the flag.
I’d been looking at the cheap 3D printer keys since I first saw them on QRZ. With $5 off, that seals the deal. Now I have to learn the code. ;-)
Kevin Maxson how do you get the $5 off? Is there a coupon code to enter?
Jeff Maxwell ke0og5off is the discount code
Thanks. 73
Learn before you try to send
These would work well for portable operation, especially SOTA, or RaDAR
Nice review Dave! Since the Palm Pico-Paddle is no longer available I have been searching for a small inexpensive paddle key for portable use. I'll give one of these a try!
Check out cwmorse.us.
You did go to BYU. Cool!!
NPRY
Northern Pacific railway. Very Very Cool Key !!....
I built my own....went to the local hardware store (Bunnings Warehouse) and bought a door latch and cupboard handle and knob.....spring, bolts etc and voila a key is born!
Congrats! You can be very proud of it.
Nickel Plate RR ! 👍
I ordered one of these CW Morse paddles and it come without the supplied connecting cable. well so much for more junk, I ordered this to use with my KX-3 when operating portable.
NPRY might mean Nickle Plate Rail Way. Great video!
This design looks great! :-) I think I'll print one like this for my car. 73, DE DO4AMF, LOC JO42nf
I have one of Joe's (KC5ILR) keys, it's got a base on it and doesn't see-saw like the one you showed. It's their red, white and blue model. Not a bad key at all!
Several of their key models have an extended base so that they don't flip around.
Nice video
Dave, I wish you would do more videos on QRP gear and operation of it. Including antenna's. Also can you recommend best coax for qrp. The one with least power loss. Thanks Fred.
If you are operating portable QRP, I would suggest RG 8X. Otherwise use the biggest coax you have access to.
Thanks Dave...I ordered the paddles using your discount
Thank you for taking the time to look at my key. Hope you enjoy it. - K7OB
The Cheap 3D Printer How do you qualify for $5 off?
ke0og5off
go to thecheap3dprinter.etsy.com Place your order for the key and in the coupon code use ke0og5off
David Casler thanks. After viewing the video a second time, I saw that the other information was included at the star of the video. I should be more observant.
73
Doesn't work anymore :(
First time Viewer,Thank you for a clear explanation about Keys.73 de Bob DV7NIB good on QRZ.
Ordered with the $5 off
KQ6C
Maybe you could use velcro on the bottom.
What cable to you use with the 3D printed key?
Just a simple stereo cable with 1/8-inch stereo plug on each end.
Thanks Dave. Are you still doing the Saturday practice? Do the live streams get uploaded? Thanks again.
The Saturday code practice is on more or less permanent hiatus.
You could strap the key to your leg like the military once did.
Iambic is ok - needs the double paddles. A SINGLE paddle key is more like a straight key on its side. It allows for a nice rhythmic rolling style of keying. There are those who think iambic is NOT a good option.
NP RY is Northern Pacific Railway...FYI 73
Dave Dave, I'm trying to relearn CW at 66 after 45 years. I have partial hearing loss and arthritis in my hands. Elsewhere also.. will it be easier to use iambic starting out or should I start with cheap straight key and work up. It looks uncomfortable with straight.. I've just got to copying alphabet at 12 wpm and going to move up to 15 next. By the way I love your videos. The helped me pass extra exam. Thanks Frank
You may find the iambic key easier to use.
NPRY= Northern Pacific Railway.
Dave if you take the radio off of break in you dont have to put rf on the air.. great topic kg6mn
Good point. Thanks.
NPRY on your old key from your dad is Northern Pacific Railroad. Chicago to Seattle in the old days.
Thanks for the info. I can only guess how my father got hold of it.
Northern Pacific RR and Spokane, Portland, and Seattle(SP&S) merged to form the Great Northern Railroad. Later on Great Northern combined with the Burlington Route to form Burlington Northern today.
Looking forward to trying that 3d iambic ,thanks Og de N7PB Paul OldNormanBates Seattle WA RememberTubes©
Fun fact - You can send C by squeezing and holding the paddles :-)
Thingiverse printed similar alternative
Beware if PLA it won’t like hot rooms, guessing PLA not ABS.
:-)
yeah cougars
Can u send me lambic paddle morse key here in Philippines
Ask the people who sell them instead!
For an iambic keyer, you have too many finger movements for the letter C. Just squeeze starting the right paddle and let loose when the last dot sounds. 73 de HA7RJA
I guess after 3 years the coupon code is no good. 😪
Probably.
..yeah, well, they are "good" key - but not great. Sure, they're decent but they do wobble and are hard to precisely adjust.
So, if you order a set, don't expecting precision.
de k6whp
dit dit
Like anything, perfect can be the enemy of good enough. Seems to be a highly personal decision. There are quite a few beautiful but expensive keys on the market. I personally prefer my old JJ-38.
I made my own straight key a while back out of hobby brass and a piece of oak. Still haven't transmitted with it (or my bought ones) yet. flic.kr/p/Hw5HV5
If you would be able to not shakin around with this very well made blue paddle box, we could see how it is made and how the cable is internally connected. And to see that you cannot open the box due to using the wrong screwdriver, that is not important to the user. It is boring ….and please do not place the item you want to record to close to the camera. The picture gets blurred.
Sorry, but that‘s the way it is.