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You can
write your own review of the Whiterook MK-44.
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W8ZNX
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Rating: 3/5
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Jun 22, 2007 14:49
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usefull cheap tool
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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ive gotten
lots of use
out of this key
kick around
portable mobile ect
camping backpacking
dinghy camp cruising
places
would not take
an expensive key
for field work
its a sturdy
serviceable tool
no more no less
Mac dit dit
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K0HPS
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 15, 2006 03:37
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Great backpacking paddles
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The best backpacking paddles I have yet to try; very light weight, reasonably rugged, easy to use and a very fair price. I use the leg strap when I'm sitting up and hold it with one hand while sending with the other when I'm in my sleeping bag. If you look me up on QRZ there's a picture of me using my MK-44 at 10,000 ft.
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KU4QW
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2004 06:48
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Great Paddle
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is the 3rd key I bought from whiterook, I use them all 3...But this one I use a lot. It's really light so you have to mount it some how, I took someone's idea and took the bottom off and cliped it in a small clip board, works great that way. This is such a great match for small qrp rigs with a keyer built into them, like the Norcal 40, or Sierra
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VE3JXF
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 23, 2003 01:07
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Love it!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Hi - Its not brass & chrome & I'm brand new to HAM & thought a paddle might be the best way to learn CW - So, bought this one - Cheap - nice. Easy to use, forgiving & before I got it I've never heard CW except in movies & I've mastered 12 wpm in 2 weeks. Ok the paddle is sloppy from the .003" spacing guys I've read about, but it seems to me at 12+ wpm that its timing and rhythm that is the important ingredient.. Its light, its red, its tiny - I use one of the YL's hair elastics to hold it to a DVD case to be in harmony with the design philosopy - works for me!
73
John
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EA1BP
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2002 17:46
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Its so tiny...but Its great!!!! I LOVE IT
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The first impression when I got my MK-44 was...Wow! Because it was very very small. The stamp of the parcel was bigger than the paddle!! Hi I really like it!!
I didnt expect to find a Bencher, Vibroplex,...or any kind of those paddles...I look for a portable and easy to use paddle and thats what I find with this.
Its perfect to put in the box of my FT-817 and ready to go anywhere, anytime...I have my portable transceiver, portable antenna, and I think this is the best portable paddle you can find (Light, small and easy to use). What do you want for 16.50 $ ???? (Be honest)
This is the best meaning of simplicity and economy !!
Good product, better results!
73 from EA1BP/QRP
Miguel
Spain
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KC8LTL
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 9, 2002 18:54
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You get what you pay for
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I am glad that I bought the MK-44, but have found that it leaves much to be desired as far as paddles go. On the plus side, it is cheap and basically works. There are quite a few minuses however.
1) It is very hard to adjust and comes out of adjustment somewhat easily. Take a look at the picture... The clear plastic block can turn just slightly, causing it to send continously on one side. Even if it isn't this bad, there are times where it somehow manages to add elements, just from rebound off the OTHER side. Since this is a PORTABLE paddle, it easy to just throw it in the pack, where something else can hit it and knock it out of wack.
2) The feel is very soft and mushy. The levers are simply thin pieces of plastic which you bend to touch the center - there is definitely nothing solid about the feel.
These two things definitely help me to have errors in my sending, and I need no help with that. However, I will use my MK-44 for every Spartan Sprint, since they are so light and will probably keep them in my car so that I can use them with my FT-100 when parked...
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K3NG
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Rating: 3/5
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May 19, 2002 00:39
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OK
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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These are inexpensive minimalist paddles. They work, but I find myself making alot of mistakes. These paddles don't in any way "blow the chrome" off other paddles. They're simple paddles that you can throw in your backpack and have short QSOs with at moderate speeds while in the field.
I was able to improve the feel and accuracy by changing the round center standoff contact thingy with a hexagon standoff which provides a flat contact surface.
You can't beat the price, but realize it's basically a little red box with some plastic parts cleverly put together. It works, but you'll be eventually longing for a more expensive portable paddle. The MK-44 will always be in my backpack, but as a secondary backup key.
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N2XE
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 25, 2002 16:18
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An All American Classic!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This paddle will soon become a ham icon. Great example of American engineering. I use these puppies for backpacking, mobiling and just plain fun at home!
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KM0U
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 5, 2001 09:34
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Quality product - high value for the cost.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've been a ham since '78 - the MK-44 is the best new purchase bargain I've made - lightweight, quality construction, low cost (under $20), works well - it is truly portable it fits the niche of replacing keys that weigh as much as the rig. . . 73's km0u
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KC4TXR
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 23, 2001 09:35
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A Mobile Must Have!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've already posted my opinion of this paddle as a fixed station piece of equipment but after several months of mobile duty, I feel the need for an update.
They provide good, clean, positive contact. The tactile feedback is uncompromised by the flexibility of the paddle arms, and it's impossible to get a backlash causing extra dits and dahs over bumpy roads. I have no plans to modify them in the least. Their light weight means they're perfect for mobile operation especially with the optional leg strap. In fairness, any portable paddle has deficiencies but not this one.
Just so you're not suprised, this key is essentially non-adjustable and made from plastic. It performs the job it was designed to do with great aplumb and acumen. If you simply gaze at the photo of the key, you can see exactly what it is and what it is not. It would be really kind of silly to buy a non-adjustable plastic key and then complain that it's not chrome plated brass and adjustable... duh. It is remarkably suited for QRP and mobile operation. I mean, what kind of fool would pack a Bencher paddle anywhere in the outback?
Priced at $16.95, I feel like I'm stealing from Whiterook. The design and engineering of this key is simply astounding. If you bought two of them, you would feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
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