Bencher Modification
Raymond Swick (N0UY)
on
February 24, 2009
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Bencher Paddle Modifications
Like many of you, I own one of the Bencher paddles. I have the BY-1 model which I used it in my shack for many years until I purchased a used Bengali Magnetic Classic from a great guy I came across in one of the forums here on this site. My Bencher has now taken the role of the “portable paddle” which sees use mostly on Field Day and other times when I get to operate from the camper.
Being part of the portable setup the long pigtail attached to the paddle with a inch plug on the end has always been some what of a nuisance during the packing and unpacking of the gear. I was determined to improve this problem and make the paddle easier to store and transport so I decided to install a 3.5mm stereo jack on the paddle. The Bengali paddle came with a short pigtail and an inline jack which is about 2 inches long. This is a nice improvement over the 3 foot cable on my Bencher but still not quite what I was looking for.
I decided to create a pocket cavity on the under side of the paddle base where I could install an enclosed jack. First thing I needed to do was find the jack so I knew how large this pocket would need to be. Out came the component catalog and I chose one to fit the job. Since the Digi-Key Corporation is only about 1 mile from my house I chose their CP-43502PM which is a four conductor jack and costs just a few dollars. Now knowing the size of the jack I proceeded to layout the pocket required for the installation.
Since I do not have a milling machine of my own, my employer was kind enough to allow me to use the company vertical mill before work one morning. The process took me about 15 minutes with a 3/8” end mill to make the pocket and just a few minutes more to drill the hole. The results accomplished my goal of placing the jack below the bottom surface of the paddle and making it accessible from behind.
Since the common ground is provided through the mounting of the jack it was only necessary to solder two wires for the tip and ring connections for dits and dahs. The orientation of those can be setup however you prefer. I choose dahs on the right and dits on the left. Both my paddles are set up that way and it feels more natural to me.
This simple modification has not effected the function of the paddle in the least. A different cable is now required for use between the paddle and the keyer whether it be internal or external. Cables are relatively easy to make or can be purchased almost anywhere for just a few dollars.
If anyone would like some additional information I would be glad to share a pdf file showing the dimensions for the actual pocket size and depth should you wish to do something similar to your own paddle. It is best to disassemble the paddle completely before performing any milling to the base. As with any machining process, small metal particles are spread over the surrounding surfaces and could easily get into the mechanism of the paddle. I am certain that others have made their own modifications to fit their needs and I would be curious to see what they are.
Cul Ray N0UY
n0uy@wiktel.com
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Bencher Modification
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by N0UY on February 24, 2009
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The paddle originally had a 1/4 inch plug on the end of the pigtail. For some reason the fraction was omitted from the text during the upload.
If you would like a higher resolution picture I would be glad to send that also.
Ray
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Bencher Modification
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by KB2DHG on February 24, 2009
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Nice job...
Yes I would love to do this conversion to my Bencher but I have no access to a milling machine or drill press so this is really a modification left to a person with means... It would not be worth taking it to a machine shop for this to be done... BUT It gives me an idea to install a pig tail with a jack assembly!
So thanks for the sudgestion!
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Bencher Modification
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by NY7Q on February 24, 2009
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Nice idea. Wonder why the maker of the Bench doesn't jump on this one. If I had the tools, I would modify my bencher...
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RE: Bencher Modification
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by KF4HR on February 24, 2009
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Since you have access to a milling machine, you might want to consider also creating a sliding slot for the center spring post to ride in and attaching an adjustment screw from the rear of the base to increase or decrease the fixed spring tension.
KF4HR
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Bencher Modification
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by WS4Y on February 24, 2009
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Very nice article. I have 3 of these BY-1 paddles.
If I had the tools I would make the mod and also
include the slot for the spring post mentioned by
KF4HR. Good ideas all. Bencher take note.
73 Bill WS4Y
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I like it
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by N8NSN on February 24, 2009
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Nice job with the mod.
May not turn out as 'pretty' but, maybe the same milling could be done with a decent vise, some good drills and finish the milling off with a decent Dremmel type tool.
I set up two of my paddles, a bencher and a home brew paddle, with 3 (each) mini-banana jacks. Did this because I use paddles backwards from the 'standard'. I use my thumb for the "dah's" and my finger(s) for the "dit's". Why? Because playing bass for 31 years it just felt 'more natural', to me, to strike the heavy notes with my thumbs and the lighter notes with my fingers. Also, being ambidextrous I use keys on both sides of the OP position(s), left and right side... Some of the newer rigs this 'left to right' set up is programmable in the menu. Nice feature for us 'backwards keyers'.
The main problem I found with the bencher paddles is the cheap acrylic plastic used for the pads seems to weaken over time. If not secured in some kind of enclosure with padding, in all the right places, when transporting, the paddles can break fairly easily. The best cure for this is to make new pads for them out of either ABS plastic or 'Lexan" type plexi-glass.
Again... very nice looking mod.
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I like it
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by WU7X on February 24, 2009
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Wonderful article! Both my TS480s use the stereo minijacks rather than the old style 1/4" stereo plugs. I have a friend with all the equipment necessary to help me make this conversion. Think I'll give this a try and get both my Bencher paddles set up for my new radios.
Thank you for sharing this great idea!
Dale WU7X
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RE: I like it
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by K9MHZ on February 24, 2009
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You should forward this on to Bencher, or submit it to Kints 'n Kinks. You might get Bencher to change their design to include your mod. It really does clean up the appearance of the unit.
Best,
Brad
K9MHZ
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RE: I like it
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by WB2WIK on February 24, 2009
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Very nice job!
Of course, with my luck if I did that and then brought my Benchers (three of them!) to a remote contest site, I'd leave the patch cables home and then be cursing it, hi hi.
;-)
WB2WIK/6
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RE: Bencher Modification
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by K3RMX on February 24, 2009
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Since the paddle is used at field day, etc., and maybe by other people, why not put in a DPDT slide switch on the front or side so the dits and dahs can be reversed by sliding the switch.
I did this to mine, so anyone can use the paddle.
Steve
k3rmx
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Bencher Modification
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by K9WJL on February 24, 2009
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This looks really nice.
After reading the comments, I would suggest that the use of "brad point" drill bits and using the depth stop on their drill press and drilling a series of overlapping holes is another way to create the pocket.
Clean up can be done with a dremel or something like that.
73,
Bill K9WJL
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Bencher Modification
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by K9ZF on February 24, 2009
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Great mod!
That is one of those "why didn't I think of that" ideas!!
I plan to add this to both of my paddles.
73
Dan
--
Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Clark County Indiana. EM78el
K9ZF /R no budget Rover ***QRP-l #1269 Check out the Rover Resource Page at:
<http://www.qsl.net/n9rla> List Administrator for: InHam+grid-loc+ham-books
Ask me how to join the Indiana Ham Mailing list!
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Bencher Modification
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by KE4DRN on February 24, 2009
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Hi,
Nice job!
If you have a drill press, drill the first
hole in the rear side of the base for the jack,
and a second hole on the bottom of the base
to pass the wires to the jack.
73 james
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RE: Bencher Modification
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by K9MHZ on February 24, 2009
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Yeah, he also did a nice job of insulating his soldering work in the channel that he had milled.
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Bencher Modification
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by XW1B on February 24, 2009
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Nice Mod Ray - thanks for passing it along.
I've got 3 Benchers and this looks like a good project!
73 Bruce
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RE: Bencher Modification
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by W4DL on February 25, 2009
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Nice work and a very useful mod; like the other guys have noted, Bencher should be all over this.
Good DX!
Mike W4DL
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Bencher Modification
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by W9KNI on February 25, 2009
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I think it is a great modification too.
But to add it to the Bencher paddle in production would add a minimum of $20 to the retail price of the paddle, very likely more. Non-automatic machining is expensive, and that is what this would be.
I think we offer a better value by staying the way we are.
73
Bob Locher W9KNI
Bencher, Inc.
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RE: Bencher Modification
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by KG2V on February 25, 2009
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Why the heck would it be non automatic? - maybe another operation (or 2), but it can be done with CNC.
Looking at my BY1, in the jig/fixture where you are drilling the holes for the feet (and I assume all the other holes, but I can't be sure if you don't drill them from the top), you can mill the pocket. Flip to drill for the jack - you don't even have to supply it if you are worried about the manual operation of putting the jack in the hole
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Bencher Modification
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by WB4LFC on February 26, 2009
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Nice modification.Don't see where I'd gain anything.
I still use an old J-38.
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RE: Bencher Modification
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by N0UY on February 27, 2009
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First of all I would like to thank everyone for their positive remarks about this modification to the Bencher BY-1, here as well as my personal e-mail. I am involved in the manufacture of large Agricultural equipment so I understand Bob’s concerns about the best value of their product. I also agree with Charles that this is easily done on the cnc mill. All the holes and the pocket with the exception of the hole on the rear is preformed from the same side, threads and all. Maybe Bob would consider offering it as an option that way it is up the customer to decide if it is worth the added expense or not. I ask for nothing in return and I would be glad to share the information as I have done with most everyone who responded.
I am the first one to admit that the only advantage to this option is for someone who moves the paddle around a lot like myself for portable operation. If the paddle is just used on the desk attached to the same rig it really doesn’t matter. In my shack I have the paddle connected to more than one rig through a switch and a series of shielded audio cables. Works great. Just have to remember to flip the switch to the right rig. That might give Steve a fit once in a while, too but it reduces the number of paddles on the desk. Once again, thank you all for your very nice comments. Now go and enjoy whatever aspect of this hobby you are involved in.
Ray
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RE: Bencher Modification
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by NV2A on March 4, 2009
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I've got a mill in the barn! Looks like I got something to do tomorrow ! Thanks for the idea.
Ray - NV2A
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