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| Reviews Summary for Brown Brothers -all OTHER models (btl,etc). |
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Reviews: 11
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $30.00
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Description: Brown Brothers-all OTHER models (btl,etc).
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Brown Brothers -all OTHER models (btl,etc)..
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W7QU
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 9, 2008 11:04
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GREAT!!! Key
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought mine new in 1973. It is the only key, of many I've owned, that I still use. Well engineered and solidly built. Never an adjustment required. It just goes and goes.
Having said that, one of the side mount springs just fractured and I must replace it. Does any one know where I can obtain one?
W7QU
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VE7BGP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 22, 2007 08:29
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BTL-A
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently locally picked up Brown Brothers BTL-A paddles from an old friend. These are great paddles one of a kind. I like if you set up the leaf springs correct you can set these up for a nice light feel. I found a set of nice rubber feet at our local Home Hardware store to replace the old feet. That solved the slipping around feeling a lot. Field Day is coming up this weekend and our Canada Day Contest weekend. I am looking forward to showing these Gems this Weekend. These are Classics because they like a lot of Paddles were made by one person in his basement in ST. Louis MO.I enjoy these Paddles.
73
Gerry VE7BGP
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W3PH
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Rating: 5/5
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May 3, 2005 17:45
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As good as any key ever made
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had my BTL for 35 years now, and even though I've added Schurr, Begali and March paddles to my collection, the BTL is still one of my all-time favorites. It's solid, with a 'stiff' feel like the Profi, easy to adjust, and seems to hold its adjustment forever. The only time I've had to adjust it is after cleaning the contacts by pulling a sheet of paper through - I've never had to adjust the contacts because they've 'drifted'.
Mine isn't so pretty now because it has seen so much mileage (wish they'd used primer under the wrinkle finish) but it works as well today as it did in 1970.
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W9AC
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 20, 2005 05:14
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Good Iambic Key
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Brown Brothers BTL-A was my first iambic key and it was purchased in the mid '70s while I was still in high school. Given the available iambic keys at the time, the BTL-A was really first class. In fact, the only iambic keys available then were the HamKey, and HAL 'FYO' iambic. Even the Vibroplex and Bencher iambic models hadn't yet been designed -- Bencher based its design on the FYO iambic. Prior to the BTL-A, Brown made the BTL model which used sleeve bearings and was much better than the newer BTL-A model. Three problems exist with the BTL-A: (1) The base of the key is much too light and moves all over the desk-top; (2) The return force minimum is limited by the paddle leaf springs; and (3) The black wrinkled paint peels off easily over time. Brown should have used a primer coat before applying the wrinkle finish. I still have my BTL-A and several years ago, I stripped the base, primed it, then re-applied three coats of wrinkle paint. Placing the key in a kitchen oven at 150 degrees or so (with all other parts removed) greatly improved the wrinkled appearance. The BTL-A is a solid 4.
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K8WV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 9, 2003 00:04
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Keeper
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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In 40 years of hamming my BTL-A is the only paddle I have ever owned. It works well, never needs to be adjusted and there is nothing to replace. Are there better paddles out there? I don't know. I don't need to know.
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W5CGH
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 25, 2002 12:07
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EXCELLENT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I currently own, or have owned, most models of the Brown Brothers paddles (BTL, BTL-A, CTL, UTL, ST-A), and my original model BTL, purchased new at LA Lektronix in 1971, is still my everyday paddle. Brown Brothers made an excellent key, but they tend to have quite a cult following today, and there are definitely better out there. If you get a chance to buy one at a decent price, I'd grab it as an excellent useable paddle.
72 es 73,
Brad, W5CGH (ex WB0CGH)
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GU4CHY
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2002 14:15
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Very happy 25 year ownership
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I was recommended a BTL A by the late GU5CIA/K5MM. I have recently become QRV after a 15 year lay off. The BTL A needed no adjustment at all - unlike my CW! I have used other keys but none comes close to ease of sending. If you see one for sale don't hesitate. But don't ask me for mine!
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WD9GCO
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2002 13:37
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A True Classic
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Back when I was in High School in the late '70's, my Elmer had a BTL-A in his shack. That's what I learned to send on. So, naturally, when I got my ticket I asked for one for Christmas.
Still have it.
I took mine off the factory base, though. I was given a 4" diameter by 1" thick steel puck that I had machined smooth for me, and also had a depression in the bottom cut in so I could mount a small terminal strip. Also had it drilled and tapped to match the mounting holes and paddle wires, then had it painted black crinkle to match the paddle frame.
It sits on a small piece of non-skid shelf liner, and nothing short of an earthquake will move it.
Still the smoothest paddle I've used. And, judging from the fact that I've seen a grand total of ONE at hamfests over the years, there must be a bunch of other guys who won't let go of theirs, either. And I've turned down a couple of offers to buy mine.
I love that little jewel. Since I grew up about an hour from St. Louis, I also felt an affinity for the "hometown guys".
Paul WD9GCO
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K0CBA
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 1, 2002 11:17
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The best; bar none.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have a small collection of BB keys and paddles; a BTL-A, a CTL-A and two BTL-B's. When I was active they all got used. I am absolutely convinced that as long as one Brown Brothers key is left in the world no one else can rightly claim to have the 'best' key going. That flat spring steel hinge design was/is a stroke of genius. Ultimately simple and stops all side slop.
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W4YA
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 1, 2002 06:58
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Reliable key
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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In 30 years I've had to adjust my Brown Bros key once. I wish they were still being made.
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