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Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
Bill Chaikin (KA8VIT)
on
March 31, 2004
View comments about this article!
Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
Here is a homebrew single lever paddle that I put together this past weekend. I got the idea from an article on www.eham.net/ by Mark Oring, AG4RQ. His original article www.eham.net/articles/7114 can be viewed by clicking on the link.
I had seen Mark's article back in December 2003 but had not given it much though.... that is... until a ham friend took back his paddles that I had been borrowing for quite a long time. It didn't take too many QSOs after that until I started getting a glass arm 15 minutes into a contact. Having already spent my ham radio budget for the next 20 years on my Kenwood TS-870S, I can't afford to buy a set of Bencher Paddles. That's when I remembered Mark's article.
After looking at Mark's article again I went out to the garage to see what kind of scrap I had that I might be able to use. I already knew I had a few of the computer card "L" brackets down in the basement.
It doesn't take a lot to put the paddle together. I used a piece of 5" x 3" x 1/2" pine I had laying around in the garage along with a 6" piece of 3/4" x 3/4" stock, which I glued together to form the base. Also used were three 1-1/4" 8-32 machine screws and two 1-3/4" 8-32 machine screws. Each screw also had three small washers and associated hex nuts. A couple of short pieces of #18 solid copper hook up wire completed the unit.
The biggest cost in this project was the shielded 1/4" stereo phone plug needed to plug the paddle into my TS-870S. That and 6 feet of shielded cable. Both together cost me about $3.95 at Radio Shack.
Adjusting the paddle wasn't hard. I adjusted it so that the contact screws were touching the paddle blade on both sides and then backed off about 3/4 of a turn on each screw leaving a small gap. I hooked it up to one of my keyers to see if it really worked and to check the action and gap. All seemed ok. I then hooked it up to my rig for the big test.
The biggest surprise came when I tried out my new paddle. Not only did it work. It worked so well that I doubt I will ever buy those Bencher Paddles now! I practiced with my new paddle using the sidetone on my rig for about five minutes and then went on the air. I made 16 contacts with it this weekend and am just tickled pink. One last thing I want to do is to hot glue some medium sized buttons or such to the paddle blade to act as the paddles and insulators.
Many thanks to Mark Oring, AG4RQ for his original idea.
This article has expired. No more comments may be added.
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Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by IZ6FXS on March 31, 2004
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Very good! Thanks for your contribution: this is going to make me on air in CW :-)
73s de Normando IZ6FXS
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Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by AG4RQ on March 31, 2004
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Bill,
I read your article on eHam this morning. You have no idea what a good feeling it gave me to find out that someone actually used my idea and built one of these, and is using it on the air. Thanks for crediting me in your article on eHam and on your web site. Even though yours looks different than mine, you built yours in the same way I built mine - completely out of junk raw materials laying around the house. Fine business! :-)
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KA8VIT on March 31, 2004
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Hi Mark,
You know... I meant to email you directly with a link to my web site when I first wrote and posted this thing about a month ago and then somehow forgot.
As for giving you credit... you had a great idea!
I use this paddle all the time. Thanks!
On another note, if anyone want to set up a sked, my email address is: ka8vit@ix.netcom.com
72/73,
Bill KA8VIT
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by K0BG on March 31, 2004
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It just proves the old adage; necessity is the mother of invention.
Alan, KØBG
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Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KX2S on March 31, 2004
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You should go into production. I can see a big market for those well made paddles. Bet you could get rich.
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by AE4RV on March 31, 2004
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"One last thing I want to do is to hot glue some medium sized buttons or such to the paddle blade to act as the paddles and insulators."
Consider guitar picks!
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by W6TH on March 31, 2004
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I should put my Iambic Paddle on and using just two blocks of wood and two pieces of hack saw blades. Have been clocked at an easy sixty words per minute. Much faster than my Bencher and the MFJ 422B setup.
Very nice article and will try this one out as looks like it will work fine. (A contribute to ham radio).
.:
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by SWLLISNER on March 31, 2004
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Actually, The key looks too junky and primitive. With a radio like the 870, the setup is a bit of a joke. I think many non-hams would view it and wonder if you can't afford or at least take the time to make a decent looking key, why bother?
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by KC0PDH on March 31, 2004
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I built a version of the paddle from the original article. I wanted to move up from a straight key, and it has served me well. I have since bought an Iambic, but with three conduit supports, some screw, and old mouse cable and a duplo block I had a nice functioning key which helped me get into paddles. Homebrew projects like this keep it fun, especially if you're not made out of money!
73
Michael
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KA4KOE on April 1, 2004
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To SWL:
So easy to criticise the author. I'd like to see your homebrew version, then lets decide how it "stacks up".
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Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KE2IV on April 1, 2004
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Congratulations Bill.
It only took you one weekend to make a "switch".
Imagine what you could do in a week!
And exactly how has this exercise advanced the art of wireless communication?
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KG6QHP on April 1, 2004
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I like your paddle. Anyone can buy a pretty piece of equipment, but it takes a real ham to make their own!
The choice of a computer slot cover for the paddle is inspired.
73,
Jim
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by AC7KZ on April 1, 2004
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Hey what ever works. I too would like to see SWL make something and post it.
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by AH6RR on April 1, 2004
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Great Job Bill, I will build one this weekend. I have some scrap Cocobollo wood that will be just big enough for all the wood parts as the wood is heavy so it will stay put. As for the metal part I have some flat stainless spring stock about 5 inches long and 1/2 wide. Now I know why I have saved it all these years.
Hummm I can see it already Thanks for the great Project idea and you too Mark, I had read some of Marks article but at the time I was trying to get a HF station on the air and I have not used CW in soooooooooo Longggg. I was not even thinking in that mode so now I am up and running it's time to brush up on the code (you forget most of the code in 13 years of not being on the air).
Now, as for SWL If you had not seen the picture of the paddle you would never know how it looked by hearing it on the air over the Radio. Any way it works and in an emergency one can be put together and used.
Thanks again for the next weekend project Bill and Mark
I'll send some pictures when I get it done.
Aloha & Mahalo
Roland AH6RR
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by W8ZIP on April 1, 2004
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Bill: Looks like a fun project to build. What a great idea, I hope to build one myself very soon.
73
Tom
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by N4KMA on April 1, 2004
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Bill, Great article. I know I have all the stuff to make one. So this weekend we will make it happen. Thanks for sharing this with us. Juan
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by N4KIT on April 2, 2004
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Fine business Bill (and Mark). I just have to relate a story. Backround first. I was first licensed as a Tech back in September 1996, but found that VHF was OK, but remebering back to SWL as a kid, I really wanted to be on HF. Even though I had no HF rig and no resources to buy one, I decided to upgrade to Tech+. By Sep 97, I had learned code well enough to pass the 5 wpm and got my ticket. But it was a full year until I was able to buy an HF rig. With the cycle on the rise and 10 meters hopping, I spent all my time chasing DX SSB with the 530S.
Now, some 6 years on, a fellow from my radio club, W4PRO, Jim Wise, is on a trip to Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. I really wanted to work Jim, but his reports indicated he was not being heard on phone and was concentrating mostly on CW. Well, my brain kicks into high gear and I figure I can brush up my code and if I can get through, Jim will slow down for me. If I'm lucky, and can catch him before he leaves Nepal on April 13. Problem number 1: I get out the straight key and hook it up to my new Ft-920. Big problem, I cant use the internal keyer with the straight key, and my fist sounds absolutely hideous. Then I saw Bill's article and figure I can cobble together a paddle and utilize the Ft-920's internal keyer to better effect.
So I have just finished my version. The base is made of cherry in the very same design as yours, Bill. I utilized Mark's idea of cutting the contact brackets from a second card bracket, and ran the conductor from the contact brackets to the binding posts with some copper foil tape I had laying around. Now I just need to get home and hook it up, and put in 8 days of crash practice to be ready when Jim shows up in Nepal on the 10th (I have missed him in Bhutan already).
For those interested, Jim has been frequenting 14010 kHz. Look for him at around 0100 UTC, that seems to have been his pattern of late. He is scheduled to arrive in Nepal on the 10th and depart on the 13th. He will be operating as 9N7PR.
Bill & Mark, thanks for the inspiration. This may just be the kick in the rear end I needed to get me off of top dead center on CW.
73,
Chris N4KIT
P.S. What is the proper "sense" of a single lever paddle. I assume dashes to the left and dots to the right. Is that the usual "default" for a right hander?
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KX2S on April 2, 2004
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QUOTE:
SWLLISNER on March 31, 2004
Actually, The key looks too junky and primitive. With a radio like the 870, the setup is a bit of a joke. I think many non-hams would view it and wonder if you can't afford or at least take the time to make a decent looking key, why bother?
This is why LOSERS like this should not be allowed to post. No call no post.
SWLLISNER-- You need to get a life and stop listening in on everyones conversations. What do you have that's so great?
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KA4KOE on April 4, 2004
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"And exactly how has this exercise advanced the art of wireless communication?"
More negativism from he who mails threatening QSL cards.
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by N4DFP on April 4, 2004
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I applaud Bill's effort! How did it advance the the "Art of Wireless Communication"? He CREATED something. He didn't go out and buy it, plug it in and operate it. As for the soundness of his design...I built one like it 20 years ago. It still sits on my desk and I have never found the need to buy anything to replace it. it works VERY well.
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by SV1HAO on April 6, 2004
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KA8VIT you are smart!
But that makes you very dangerous ,there is a possibility that you will put a lot of companies out of business
Congratulations!!!
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Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KO4BB on April 7, 2004
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You showed me your key, so I'll show you mine :-)
Check it at www.ko4bb.com
It seems like both of used a PC card support plate, but in different function...
73,
Didier KO4BB
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KB1KIX on April 7, 2004
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Liked it a lot!
I'll make a few with our newbie class (It isn't like it's a tough project to clean up either).
Or substitute the base block of wood with Lexan.
Guitar picks as stated above will work great.
As far as the negative idiotic statements goe....
It's hard to soar like an eagle when turkeys can post in forums!
Jonathan
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KB1KIX on April 7, 2004
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Forgot to mention, KO4BB, your paddle is kewl as well.
Great ideas!
Jonathan
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by OLDFART13 on April 7, 2004
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"It only took you one weekend to make a "switch".
And exactly how has this exercise advanced the art of wireless communication?"
This is why LOSERS like this should not be allowed to post. And he used his call to post.
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by KD7ZRO on April 9, 2004
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I built this paddle and I say, it is not at all a bad disign! I love it, althogh, my base is a little big. I'll just fix that on my next lazy sunday. This is what Ham Radio is about, HI HI
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by W3DCG on April 9, 2004
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Well, IMCO, in my considered opinion- OLDFART13 is a wussie with a capital P for casting stones from under cover...
Hobbies are often about plain old fun and ingenuity.
It's a cool project, and the result is, it works.
But I'm glad to see that the liveliness of this place remains, despite the somber spirit here.
This place is a wonderful creation.
Thanks again, Bill Fisher.
Peace.
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by AG4RQ on April 11, 2004
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W3DCG, OLDFART13 wasn't slamming KA8VIT, nor was he criticizing his paddle. OLDFART13 was criticizing KE2IV. It was KE2IV that he was quoting with "It only took you one weekend to make a 'switch'.
And exactly how has this exercise advanced the art of wireless communication?".
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by N4DFP on April 11, 2004
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I wasn't going to, but since someone else did; here is mine. www.qsl.net/n4dfp/paddle.html
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by WA2AFD on April 23, 2004
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Kudos to Bill and Mark for their efforts in building their own dandy paddles. As for the "critics" who pan the efforts, perhaps it's jealousy??
I recently put together a desk mike for my Kenwood HF rig made from the base of an old desk lamp. The element is an electret and it's followed by a 3 Khz low pass filter tucked easily into the base. It has a goose neck for easy adjustment, and the wind screen cost more than the rest of the project ($3.50).
The lamp was 90 cents at a junk shop, the mike element was a dollar. It works like a charm, and it didn't cost a bloody fortune.
A buddy of mine also was critical. I gave him the following reply: "The guy at the other end has no idea what my mike looks like, nor does he care! The only thing that matters is that he can hear me clearly."
The same thing holds true for the paddles we are discussing. After all, isn't the purpose to get on the air and have fun?
73 de WA2AFD
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by WD4JDO on August 25, 2004
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>>> I recently put together a desk mike for my Kenwood HF rig made from the base of an old desk lamp. The element is an electret and it's followed by a 3 Khz low pass filter tucked easily into the base. <<<
Have you got a picture of that mic, and a diagram of the filter?
WD4JDO
Keith
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by KC8MWG on August 30, 2004
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So what if it's "primitive" and "junky looking" as long as it works and the user is happy with it! I work in a machine shop, and recently built a single-lever paddle out of stainless steel, but let's face it, not everyone has access to those sorts of materials and/or facilities. I applaud the ingenuity of those people who come up with ideas like this! After all, look at "foxhole radios" - "primitive and junky" considering they were made of salvaged materials, and crystal sets were a couple of decades out of being top-of-the-line by WWII, but hey, they served their intended purpose, and when it comes down do the bottom line, that's all you can ask of anything - that it does what it's supposed to to. Kudos, guys!
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RE: Homebrew Single Lever Paddle
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by KC0KBH on August 3, 2005
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This looks like a super expensive paddle compared to my one I soldered up from double clad pc board. But, mine is ugly, but works great, and it's small size goes well with the '817.
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