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write your own review of the GHD Telegraph Key.
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AB0XE
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 21, 2004 11:13
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just great!!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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GN 307 WS (single or dual paddle, mechanical)
Received this key last week, it is definetly
a wonderfully crafted key. I work in a precision machine shop, and I showed everybody at work and simple said everybody was impressed with the quality.
But how it works is the test. I normally use a
Kent single paddle, and occasionally a Vibrokeyer. I figured it would take a few weeks to get the feel of this key which I configured as a single paddle. After a half dozen ragchews, it feels , well it feels like I have had it for years. JUst darn right comfortable .It was spendy ,but I love CW and this really was worth it for me. And so my vibrokeyer
goes in the drawer and the Kent gets sent to the field for portable QRP work. And the GHD has the place of honor on my desk, unfortunately I must cover it when my wife walks in the shack. I am not sure she will share the same enthusiam as I do for this great key.
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AF8X
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 6, 2003 07:51
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Smooth
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have two Vibroplex bugs that I was very happy with and then I was presented with the GD107WS, a birthday gift from my very special friend, Luke JN3XAO. The adjustment of this key is very simple and the optical sensors provide very clean keying with no contact bounce. The optical sensing circuitry needs power to operate, but that shouldn't be a problem in the shack. Keying is very smooth and quiet. The heavy base provides a solid feel and the chrome finish is without flaws.
I preferred the single paddle keying and so made the easy conversion from the double paddle setup as it comes from the factory. This is a fine combination of a tried and true design with modern technology.
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AC6YD
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Rating: 5/5
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May 15, 2003 20:41
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It truly is the ultimate bug
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I originally purchased a GHD 205MKII back in 99, when hardly anyone knew of the GHD line. I stated then, and say again now, the GHD telegraphy keys are probably the best keys in the world today. I have used my original 205 since 99 exclusively and still find it to be a superb device.
Recently I purchased what GHD terms their ultimate bug the GD907WS. This is GHD’s fully automatic, optical sensor, bug. Well, Master Toshihiko Ujiie has done it again. I would have to say that the “907” is in fact the ultimate bug. As is the trademark of every GHD I have used, it only takes a light touch to make it work. Another trademark of the GHD is how quiet it is, and the 907 is no exception in that it is almost silent. The dots and dashes are perfect in form and the ratio is correct.
It took me all of one minute to adjust the 907 and get it on the air. I had two QSO’s and both op’s were very complimentary of the sound of the 907. One op was somewhat surprised to learn that it was a bug and not an Iambic paddle. It’s an incredible amount of fun and pleasure to use something that works as claimed and without a doubt the 907 surpassed my expectations. As with all GHD products the 907 is a superbly engineered device, and in the case of the 907 it is almost a work of art.
The bottom line is simply that the “907” has no peer in the world today. If you have a desire to own a fully automatic bug, and are willing to fork out the cash, then the GHD907 is the only way to go. You will not be disappointed.
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KA0W
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2002 18:34
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Now Have Two!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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GH-GD347WS Optical Paddle
Enjoyed the optical GD347WS so much I had to purchase another. WB3EVL cut a set of larger finger pieces for my paddles in the pistol grip type shape which gave the paddle a more solid feel (thicker pieces) and more surface area to paddle on. After a few hundred QSO's with the paddles keying at a variety of speeds I sure have nothing to complain about. Smooth and comfortable sending.
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WZ7I
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 26, 2002 13:47
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GD507 Optical Sensor Dual Paddle
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Let’s face it – this is a product you don’t need. A Bencher or Kent paddle will allow you to send excellent CW and the Bencher on E Bay will cost about 25% of the price of this paddle.
But ball point pens work just fine, too. And yet I use a nice fountain pen because it brings me pleasure every day and because I can use it for hours and not tire of writing.
Like my fountain pen, the GD507 Optical paddle is a pleasure to look at and a pleasure to use. If you are accustomed to a paddle with very close contacts, this paddle will seem a little strange because the paddle handles must move farther to interrupt the light beam and “make contact”. But they can be set so they move much less than I would have expected.
You will never again reach for your paddle to respond to a “rare one” and send lousy code because of dirty contacts!
The US dealer, Marshall Emm, is a pleasure to work with.
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KC1MK
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 5, 2002 00:07
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The keys of my dreams!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought the GHD GT504 straight key and GHD GN347WS mechanical paddles about a year ago from Morse Technologies, and they are a real pleasure to use and a beautiful sight as well. The quality and finish are absolutely first-rate, the operation is very smooth and precise, and they are easily adjusted and hold their adjustments well. They're not the cheapest keys around, but they are by no means the most expensive, and are well worth the price if you enjoy CW. If you enjoy CW, you'll enjoy it even more with a GHD!
I'm thinking of adding one of the GHD bugs to my collection. I admire bugs, but have never used one much. I think one of the GHD bugs might find regular use at my station though.
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KA0W
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 10, 2002 22:51
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Yes, Very Smooth!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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GH-GD347WS Optical Paddle
An excellent paddle if you like a smooth feel to your paddle. A real pleasure to use. It is my present paddle of choice over my WBL V22. Info on the GHD paddles at: http://www.mtechnologies.com/ghd/
I certainly enjoy my GH-GD347WS.
73,
Ken, KA0W
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WQ8Q
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2001 10:11
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Smoooooth!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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GH-GD347WS Optical Single/Dual Paddle
Santa was good to me this year. I'd hinted I'd wanted this paddle. But sometimes Santas (and most especially XYL's) never listen. I've got several paddles, and they've all got their strong points. The Bencher works fine; the Kent works great but is "clicky." Based on the reviews here and the pictures of this little beauty at Morse Express/Milestone Technologies, I e-mailed a picture of it to my wife a couple of months ago.
So I was up here in the shack on XMAS playing with the new toy. One word to describe it. . . SMOOOTH! No noise. Nothing! The adjustments are a little tricky, but once set, they seem to stay. Now this is not a paddle for those who bat the thing all over the table when they send. This one takes some finesse and the easiest thing to do is just sit back and relax and have at it. Learn to send with the tips of your fingers.
You need 12 volts to run the little board on the underneath. That's fine. This is one paddle you won't be taking backpacking or on field day. The finish is superb.
Get tired of using it ? Need a little humor in your life? Read the instructions. Examples:
"First your key's right arm look straight in line with base.
Fasten all screw nut. Go Well?"
And from the description:
"Used Six premium metal bearings. They make smooth operation. No buck rush." (Back lash???)
But to sum it up, again from the instructions:
"IT'S EPOCH MAKING KEY!"
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KE5C
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 24, 2001 22:41
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Two levers are better than one
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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GHD manufactures optical and mechanical paddles and semi-automatic keys (bugs), and reviewing them as if a single product seems like reviewing all Kenwood radios as one. (http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~ghdkey/eproducts.htm)
I am specifically reviewing the GN127WS mechanical semi-automatic key. This same design is available in the GD127WS optical model, and both feature a very unusual "W" lever mechanism which allows the key to be set up either as a single lever bug or a double lever bug. As a double lever bug, adjustments allow settings where the dot and dash levers are completely independent of each other. This is obviously not possible when the bug is set up as a single lever.
After discovering the incredible world of semi-automatic keys, I had acquired and borrowed a number of various models, and the most pleasing to use was a 1917 Vibroplex Double Lever. The complete mechanical independence of the two levers provides a special and unique sensitivity and responsiveness to the operator. Quickly realizing I would never own such a Vibroplex, I called Marshall Emm at Morse Express and asked if he was aware of any current production double lever keys. Strange I should ask he replied since GHD had just announced the "W" lever series. While I am certain the optical mechanism has advantages, it just seemed to me that a semi-automatic key should be all mechanical, and I think I purchased the first mechanical example of this key which Marshall received.
The construction is superb and in ways very creative. Operating the key is an incredible pleasure. I am able to set it up for my preferred very light touch, and I do not have to readjust the dwell when changing speeds over the 20 to 35 wpm or so range I operate. My TenTec Omni has lightning fast QSK, and like all other bugs I have used with it, there was slight dot contact bounce which I cured, as usual, by stuffing a small amount of foam rubber into the "U" portion of the dot contact spring.
Since purchasing this key, I have reduced my stable of Vibroplexes from five to three, and the only other bug I now use much is my 1923 Blue Racer. This GHD is, in my opinion, a clear evolutionary step above the Vibroplex, however, if you have a Vibroplex double lever lying around which you aren't using...
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K8XF
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Rating: 5/5
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May 31, 2001 12:21
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Top Banana
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Only thru Morse Express had I heard of GHD Keys. I finally picked up the GH-GD347WS, optically relayed paddle a few months ago and was surprised by the high quality of workmanship, chrome, ease of handling, and weight. This key runs off of 12 vdc, and sending is smoother than super silk. There is no clicking clacking sound as with mechanical contact points. Effortless is the word. I can say no more!!!! I have a collection of many paddles, and from time to time I will change out a paddle for a few weeks. With this model it sat on my desk for over two months until it was time to hook-up another brother.....
73
Mike, K8XF
Viva CW
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