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write your own review of the March Magnetic Paddle R3a.
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N2AUR
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 10, 2009 17:19
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The search for "my" perfect paddles is over.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've been 98%+ on CW for over 45 years, and I'm extremely sensitive to the mechanical feel of a key (the less the better). Being a key collector, a key has to work its way into the collection. If I find it balky, klunky, or irritating, it goes to a new (probably more tolerating) home. I personally have used Ham Keys, Benchers, Vibroplex mechanicals, and they have all gone to new homes. This brings me to magnetic keys. The Vibroplex magnetics all have a place. The Brass and Square Racers are quite good with a light feel, but they lack mass in the arms and thus are a bit indistinct. Surprisingly, my favorite Vibroplex has been the Code Warrior. I changed the finger pieces to homemade wooden pieces, and that plus the mass in the arms seems to work quite well.
However, I recently was able to get a set of March R-3a paddles on Ebay (S/N 0224). I have stopped looking for the perfect paddles for me. I think the answer is in the fact that the pivots are at the rotational center of the paddle arms which gives them balance. The feeling is as light as you care to adjust the magnets, and there is no irritating mechanical klunking.
I suspect that I would probably find the other top end paddles to be equally proficient mechanically, but I have always admired the design of the March paddles
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K0FTC
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 7, 2009 04:49
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Fine workmanship and a work of art
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I recently received my R-3A from Mr. Mike March. This is my second, I had found a used one some time ago, bought it, and have appreciated its form, function, and workmanship. (If you ever see one offered for sale my recommendation is to get it if you can.) This new one is perfect, is engraved, and has brilliant blue paddles. There are only a handful of men in this world that can build fine keys and paddles. Mike is one of these select few artisans and his paddle is beautiful to behold and a joy to operate. It may take a bit once you have ordered it from Mike, but like many fine things, the wait is well worth it, as it takes a while for the master builder to individually build each one.
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K6JPA
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 11, 2008 20:07
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A True Class Act!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have three of Mike's paddles, and recently asked to have one of them, previously finished in the S-series gray, refinished in Collins St. James gray (A-series green) to match one of my sets. Mike, being the gentleman that he is, insisted on doing it for the cost of return shipping only. Needless to say, the Collins green paddle with the brass parts is absolutely stunning, and perhaps my favorite of the three of his paddles in my collection. I imagine few builders take such care and pride in their products, and work so hard to insure the happiness of their customers. A true class act.
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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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