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| Reviews Summary for Bencher BY-1 |
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You can
write your own review of the Bencher BY-1.
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VE7AYZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 20, 2008 19:02
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they are great !
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have had my paddles for over 3 months. I love them. I set them up when I bought them and haven't had to make any adjustments since then. The shop was out of the black version so they sold me the chrome unit for the same price.
On a single parent income they are affordable and very nice paddles indeed. I will never part with them and recommend them highly.
Sean
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RFDANNY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 12, 2008 10:49
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Fantastic Paddles
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have used the BY1 and BY2 for many, many years. They are fantastic paddles and truly the queen of the airwaves. I QSO between 25-35 WPM, and I could send all night on the BY1 without a problem. I highly recommend this paddle to anyone who is a serious CW operator.
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K5JZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 12, 2008 05:09
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Paddle perfection!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own two of these fine paddles. They are the best I have used in 35 years of CW. Other paddles visit from time-to-time but the Bencher paddles are family.
73,
George K5JZ
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W4BGN
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Rating: 2/5
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Jun 12, 2008 00:24
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TOO MUCH ADJUSTING
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Got the key today. Could not get the adjustment to suit me. definately a key for someone who has a VERY light touch. The one I received must be bad because no way in the world would it function right...moved the wiring around several times to no avail.
Will be contacting Bencher and trading this for a straight key.
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VA7CPC
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 6, 2008 18:00
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Good for light-fingered ops
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Instructions for adjusting the Bencher paddle are at:
http://www.morsex.com/misc/keyadj.htm#Bencher
I set my contacts so they'll just pass a sheet of copier paper, and set the spring tension midway (screws halfway out).
Unless you have such a heavy fist that you permanently bend the contact arms, those settings will last for years. Bencher fixed the "fly-apart" problem in 1982, by adding two "locator screws" that hold the paddle arms in place.
Check the shack pictures in a copy of "QST" -- Benchers are used by many very successful hams. There _is_ "compliance" (bendiness) in the arms and fingerpieces. That may bother you if you're heavy-fisted, or send over 30 wpm.
For light-fingered operators sending at normal speeds, they're a "forever paddle". On eBay for about $60, they're the best value around.
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JDWYER
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Rating: 2/5
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Mar 26, 2008 17:45
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Can't get a good feel
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Granted I've had these paddles less than a day and I've been adjusting them all over the place but I just cant get a good feel. What I notice is the pressure to make contact between the arms and posts doesn't stay the same - the level of tension doesn't remain constant so I get one too many or one too few dits or dahs and it's driving me ditty. I find myself trying to compensate for the varying tension which creates more errors. Also sometimes I get a clicking sound and sometimes not - very strange. I think this paddle has too many moving parts and I have too little control because of it. I'll repost if things improve but right now I can't send cw suitably with this keyer.
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KK9H
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 25, 2008 10:25
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Great key
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I am an active CW op and have been using one of these keys for at least 15 years now. I have the silver plated version. It is just a good solid key with excellent paddle feel.
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N5XTR
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 24, 2008 23:11
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Great Key!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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It is built tough and is very precise. At 4 pounds, it won't walk around the desk and is just so easy to work on. It is the key I don't let anyone play with...I have mfj's for that.
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K4ZZT
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 18, 2008 19:33
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Excellent
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is an excellent key! I send just as smooth with this as my Begali sculpture. For the money, this is just a great key, no complaints. It is well made and holds the adjustments fine. Very comfortable to send with for long periods of time.I only bought the Begali cuz I had the money to buy a piece of art! ( I own two benchers)
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WA6MOW
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 27, 2007 10:32
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A Classic!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I love using these keys. They can be found on Ebay for bargain prices. This key is suited for the operator who enjoys sending with a light touch. Keep in mind that a key is a very personal choice and that each brand has its own special feel. You really have to live with a key to find if it is going to suit you. I also enjoy using my Kent paddle, which is quite a bit more costly on the used market. The Bencher can't be beat for performance and value.
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