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| Reviews Summary for March Magnetic Paddle R3a |
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Reviews: 58
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $250. and up
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Description: Handmade Brass Paddle with Excellent "Feel"
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More info: http://www.qsl.net/k4qu/
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You can
write your own review of the March Magnetic Paddle R3a.
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KD5TLC
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 25, 2007 17:40
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A great addition to the hobby
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Bought s/n 0361 at Hamfest in Joplin MO today... need to pick up an adapter plug to connect it to the HF rig, but using it on the practice keyer is a real smooth op, Looks GREAT also. Looking forward to setting it up parallel to my bug, and straight keys.
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NE4M
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 27, 2007 21:17
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Superior Key
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have used many fine keys over the years and I must say in my opinion the March R3a is the best of them all. It has a wonderfully crisp "feel" and the workmanship is flawless. The adjustments are easy to make and stay where you put them. As many others have already stated the R3a is truly a work of art. I obtained my paddles from ebay and the two lock nuts on the magnetic adjusting bolts were missing. I contacted Michael to see about getting two lock nuts and he sent me two free of charge. Michael is a fine gentleman and he produces a masterpiece.
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N9YB
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 27, 2007 17:54
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An excellent paddle.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Just like the other reviewers have noted, the R3a is a wonderfully crafted piece of functional art. The adjustments stay where you set them and the paddle stays put on your table.
It is as great to look at as it is for sending morse code. I have both the acrylic and carbon fiber tabs for it. I prefer the feel of the carbon tabs.
From a customer service perspective Mike March is a pleasure to deal with. He is not only an excellent designer and machinist, but he truly cares that each of his customers has a postive experience.
This paddle should be in every CW fan's shack.
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AI4TD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 26, 2007 19:13
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SPECTACULAR!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I waited a while for the paddle but it was well worth the wait! The paddle is heavy so it stays in place, even with my "heavy hand". The workmanship is supurb. The XYL who doesn't care about this stuff took one look at it and asked if I was going use it or display it as a work of art.
After a few minutes with this paddle I felt my confidence going up. Great job, Mike!
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K4CUO
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 7, 2006 09:06
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Awesome product
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I got my March R3a paddle about a year ago, after about 15 months on the waiting list. I felt then that it was worth the wait. It is a fine paddle and the workmanship is beautiful.
I had to be QRT for about a year, and just got active again. My paddle was out of adjustment (probably from being moved all over the desk for a year), and when I got it adjusted the way I like it (close), it would suddenly send strings of dots or dashes. I emailed Mike. He responded within hours, and following his instructions, my paddle is now perfectly adjusted, feels great, takes no effort, and is still a beautiful piece of equipment.
I have a Vibroplex Brass Racer (OK) and a Kent Iambic (nice, solid, and stable, but nowhere near as pretty as the March), but using my March paddle is truly a pleasure. I may even become a decent CW operator at last.
This paddle is terrific, and so is Mike. It is worth the wait.
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K4QS
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 29, 2006 09:18
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Fantastic!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have had my R3a paddles now for a few months and love them. The craftmanship is excellent, have a great feal and the adjustments stay rock solid.
Mike offered to make the finger pieces out of carbon fiber. Mike and I share another common interest, cycling. A lot of bicycles and bicycle components are manufactured from carbon fiber. These finger pieces are strong with no flex and not cold to the touch like the metal found on a high dollar Italian make.
The March R3a paddles are a keeper in my shack.
Chuck K4QS
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K3EY
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 31, 2006 17:19
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Can't Go Wrong
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have already reviewed Mike’s fantastic paddles in the past but wanted to add some input for future customers about what one can expect. I have owned a few of these really neat paddles and at one time had way too many paddles around here. Since I am not really a serious collector I sold just about all of them off including the March Paddles I had. Out of all the paddles I had and used here, I really didn’t miss any of them which included the very high-end and very well made Italian brand, except that is, I did miss the unique feel only the March Paddle offers. So when I saw an individual offering a NIB never used or even wired March Paddle who had waited over a year to receive only to lose total interest in CW in that time, well I jumped at the offer. When the paddle arrived here from across the country it was damaged in shipping, damaged enough that it required some remachining to make it as new again. So I wrote Mike of March paddles and asked if he would repair it. I am happy to report that he not only repaired it to brand new condition, but he did it without so much as charging me one cent, and I did offer to pay him. This is one of many reasons why these paddles have a solid 5 rating because not only are the paddles a pleasure to use and appreciate for their aesthetic value, but the maker and designer Michael March stands behind them 1000 percent whether or not he is obligated to, he just does it. What else could one possibly want. Another reason why his eHam rating is deserving of a perfect score. Thanks Mike!
Curt/k3ivb
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KT5D
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 2, 2006 20:31
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Excellent instrument
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I was fortunate to win the ebay auction for a March R3a prototype paddle, thereby circumventing the long wait from the bottom of Mr. March's list. The black base with the reverse engraving looked nice in the ebay photo but is even more impressive in person. The function of the paddle is on par with the Begali Graciella although the feel is quite different. Setup is more tedious than the Begali but once adjusted, it stays. As noted by other reviewers there is flex in the arms but unless one really smacks it, this is no problem. It is a very comfortable key at 25-30 wpm, faithfully following my fingers along and allowing only me to insert mistakes, which I tend to make depending upon how sleepy I am or how rare the DX is. It is rather expensive, as is the Begali, but worth the money especially if one intends to hang onto them, which I intend to do with both.
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N0XB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 1, 2006 19:44
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My favorite now!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Well, I wanted to have this key for a while before writing my eHam review. It's been about 12 weeks since it arrived, after waiting for about 14 months. Worth the wait, I guess, is the bottom line! I've literally used it every day since I got it, and I have to say it's now my favorite paddle...before my Schurr Profi and my Begali Magnetic.
At first I was a little concerned about the fact that courser (than the Schurr) adjustments for the magnets would make it difficult to adjust but that's just not a factor. The adjustment is easy and holds it's positioning perfectly over time. The knurled set nuts hold the adjusters securely and I can detect no change in my settings over time.
The base is solid brass, nice and heavy to keep the paddle right there on the desk.
I got mine with ebony fingerboards, and of course Mike has a varied selection of boards to choose from. I like the fact that the fingerboards are adjustable for height as well, and makes for a very custom fit.
The finish is very nice, with jeweling on the magnetic arms and the top bit. Very attractive and I get lots of positive comments.
The touch is very soft and very light. I like to have a responsive yet light touch and the R3a is very nice to operate.
It's really worth the wait, in my opinion. Remember that good things all take time, and the reward is the life-long paddle you'll own.
Thanks, Mike. Nice work. It's my favorite paddle.
Larry, N0XB
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W0SJS
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2005 19:51
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Best Ever
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Like many of you I had about an 18 month wait for my March R-3a's. My first impressions when setting them up and making a first few QSOs was that unlike any other paddle I had used to date, expensive commercial or custom make, the March paddle is 100% precision giving it a firm precise feel. Additionally, I like the attention to detail both asthetically and functionally - which is also unlike any paddles I have yet used. After a few days the Vibroplex, North American Telegraph and Brown Brothers were carefully put away for safe keepting as the March R-3a is in a class by itself and anything less just did not measure up or feel right!
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