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You can
write your own review of the Bencher BY-1.
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N0AH
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 5, 2012 17:30
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Great for beginners
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Been using this paddle for our KD0NIV school donated by a member of the Mile High DX Association. Kids love this paddle- We have had it now for 5 months. Using with an FT-897. It is a great value for the money and plays well at high speeds too- nicely weighted-
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WA2DTW
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 6, 2011 07:59
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Pretty good
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This was my first paddle. Does what it is supposed to do. Somewhat delicate. Not quite as sensitive as some others.
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K0TF
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Rating: 0/5
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Dec 5, 2011 21:17
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Overpriced junk
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Did anybody paid attention that anyone outside the US didn't care about Bencher product? I wonder why? (Rhetorical question) Anyways, recently got hold of another BY, and all bad memories came back in an augenblick, poor, very soft, sticky contacts, lack of proper adjustments, ugly appearance with visible tool-marks. Cheap construction/design. Should we continue? oh and price, I can understand such a price range, for single unit a month home-brewer, not for mass produced for a quite a few years single model. Another paperweight on the shelf. At least this time price was right... Nah, I'm sorry, 4 replacement pieces, two of which 4-40 screws cost almost the same as new paddles.
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KA1VF
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 22, 2011 15:50
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nice iambic paddle
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought myself a Bencher BY-1 paddle(Black)
in 1981 to celebrate my upgrade to Advanced.
note: It has popped apart on me a few times,
but this is because it's an early model
and they later fixed that problem.
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N4ZAW
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 22, 2011 11:35
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High Bang Fer Buck
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Had three of them over the years. I like it's overall design and comfort.And even though there are ways to improve anything, it is solid value as it is produced today. A practical device! But why do people quit when they are on a roll? They shouldn't have sent their R&D department home after the 'prototype' -- I would replace the finger tabs with rounded ones, or offer different shapes/weights of them as optional equipment. I guess I could MAKE a set cheaply enough, but I need more idle time than I currently have. Another option would be pivots made in different lengths to give the user a way of customizing it to fit his individual fist. Another drawback is a common issue with 'open-guts' keys of any type -- dust. If it sits uncovered for more than a week down here in the swamp, I begin to send like I'm drunk... I hate that! They make a 40 dollar "dust cover", but i've found that when it is carefully-wrapped in "Cling Wrap" out of the XYL's kitchen, it stays spotless. Plastic wrap actually protects better due to less of an opening required for the paddles to stick out of. Werks great!
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KC5CQD
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 16, 2011 19:44
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Rock solid and dependable
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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The first time I owned a BY-1, it was used and a bit beat up and so I had a skewed opinion of the product. I eventually sold it and bought a few higher-end paddles and straight keys, including the Bencher "Hex Key", Vibroplex "Code Warrior Jr." and a Kent paddle. They were all really good paddles but I ultimately had to sell the lot to help finance a home purchase. After three years of being off the air, I recently set up a station in my garage and was in need of a set of paddles! I broke down and bought "the old standard", BY-1. What a great set of paddles! They even arrived set up exactly how I like them and so I didn't have to make any adjustments. I'm sure they're not as elite as a "Begali" but for the money, they're well built, precise and will last you a lifetime. If you're stuck in a situation where you need a good set of paddles for a decent price, this is the set you should get.
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K0XY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 6, 2011 14:41
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...still going strong !
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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...I've been a Bug Man for the last 10-15 years or longer...so I decided to switch back to a paddle for the fun of it...I located my two BY-2's that I had purchased in the last century, cleaned the contacts, wiped the chrome, adjusted the spacing and tension (instructions are on the Morse Express site) and they were like the day I bought them...perfect
...with a little bit of practice (like 5 minutes) I was on the air...sending sweet CW
...these are great (mid-priced) paddles, probably for someone with a lighter touch, probably NOT for a brass pounder...but all in all a great sending machine...
Enjoy !
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N4MJG
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 15, 2011 14:29
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Great keyer so far !
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I been wanted one since i pass the code , i saw this ad from Jim on this eham the paddle key is in real good shape like new !
I try it without get on the air ! to see how it does it works great ! :)
I been off cw air like 8 yrs ! now need to catch up and relearn the code again will take time !
I had no problem so far ! so i keeping this keyer ! as long as i can !
73
Jackie
WWW.N4MJG.COM
Tullahoma,Tn
SKCC #7305
NAQCC #5233
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K3MD
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 8, 2011 18:12
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My lever
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Fragile, not for DXpedition. Good for QRQ. Prefer over Vibroplex dual lever, Begali simplex, Vibroplex brass racer, touch keyer, bulldog. American Morse mini-lever almost as good.
Have 210,000 QSO's with the BY-1, just got another one on EBay for $60.
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K4TIN
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 8, 2011 19:36
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Like My Old Comfortable Shoes
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I don't understand the few negative reviews posted here. Um, a "lighter touch" is a consequence of developed skill. This isn't a bug.
It's just the "claw hammer" of paddles. I own pricier paddles, but always seem to want to grab the old BY-1 I have owned for 30 years. A smooth, beautiful flow of crisp cw notes that even makes me look good!
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