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You can
write your own review of the MFJ-561/MFJ-561K Miniature Travel Iambic Paddle.
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WA4JM
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Rating: 2/5
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Feb 16, 2012 15:34
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OK...My expectations Too High
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The kit was easy to put together. The documentation
Was poor with regard to adjusting the spacing for the contacts. The key is too light so you have to use both hands to operate. Why MFJ would not build heavier base is a mystery.
This is a pos product.
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WB2VEN
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 1, 2011 11:08
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Very good QRP 'go-pack' paddle
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm not sure what people are expecting with this paddle, but after a few weeks of using it in portable ops in the north woods, I am quite happy with its performance. The construction is mainly metal, so how anyone can break this without being outright abusive is beyond me.
It is small, lightweight and while a bit more utilitarian than some other 'travel paddles', it does its job well and is a fair value. Sure, it won't compare to a Palm or Bengali, but it isn't pretending to be in that market. I have a Whiterook as well for portable work, and for me it compares favorably to that - which has good reviews here.
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N4IBG
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Rating: 3/5
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May 12, 2011 14:35
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Not Bad
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Yes, it's not the ultimate paddle but, I needed something that I could store in my HTX 100 portable box that was light and small. It works just fine with 2 hands. The connecing cable was more than enough. I found that the rubber feet on the paddles was not a good feel, so I took them off and glued on a couple of stiff guitar pics, and that made a world of difference.
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NZ5L
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 5, 2010 10:45
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Has potential
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I think some reviewers of this little paddle are missing the point. This was not intended to be an "end product" used as provided. If you want that, buy a Begali or Vibroplex. If you want a basic mechanism to build upon, this little gem is very promising.
You will need a sharp bit to drill a couple of holes in the tough alloy base - then it can be firmly fastened to a piece of hardwood, or to a keyer cabinet. Also, drill a small hole 1/8" to each side of the contact points. Put in a small 1" machine screw and slip a plastic sleeve over each one. Now the lever has "backstops" and feels much more like a normal key. Adjustable tension would be nice, but the key would have been heavier and more complex, not to mention more expensive. Mine is now stable, reliable, and highly usable.
The point is" for this amount of money, you get a bare-bones item. Make of it what you will - that's the Ham way.
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WA8MEA
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Rating: 1/5
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Mar 29, 2007 17:46
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Try the other MFJ....
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is a cheap spin-off of the Travel-Keyer by MFJ. They took the same "paddles" and put 'em on a miniature piece of metal. You really can't use it as is. It won't stay put! I used cable ties to secure it to a board. But it looked funky. Sent it back to MFJ.
Spend a few more bucks and get the MFJ Travel Keyer instead. You can use that as a key OR keyer. It has more weight and area, making it much more operational on the table. And I think they took more care and weren't as sloppy in assembling the copper paddles and attaching the pads as they did with this key. The Travel Keyer we kept and use regularly.
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WB7AVF
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 7, 2007 18:19
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You get what you pay for gents!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Hey--it's keying my Norcal. Bit flimsy but I mounted the little thing on an old desk weight. WOrks okay.
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W5LXG
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Rating: 0/5
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Jan 11, 2007 11:50
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Horrible excuse for a paddle
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Occasionally, I enjoy torturing myself within ham radio. I am an avid and competent CW operator and decided I would waste some money and buy this product. I wasn't disappointed. It is built in the true tradition of MFJ: Light, flimsy,sloppy fitting,etc. Better hacksaw paddles have been made. After operating it for about 6 contacts, a lever arm broke. Completely out of character, their service dept. send me a free replacement. "Duh...them things bust all the time, they do, we gonna send you a free one, we are". So, if you too want torture, to waste money and end up with throw-away material, have at it.
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AA2LD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 4, 2006 19:21
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perfect
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I use this paddle with my Elecraft K2 and have consistent reports of a good 'fist'. True, it is not a heavily weighted Bencher padde (I have one of those too) but for a light weight paddle it can't be beat. Very durable and fun.
I bought another to be used with my KX1 Elecraft.
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W6TH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 4, 2006 17:44
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I Find No Faults
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I do as well with this small lightweight paddle as well as I do using my Bencher BY-1.
I must admit that I have a very light touch when using paddles do to my many years of using cw, I do not bang it around. I enjoy using this paddle and will continue to do so as it goes well with my portable setup I take with me on vacations.
I easily can send up to 45 words per minute with no problem and have no complaints with the fellow on the other receiving end. I assume that experience in the use of cw operating pays off to be able to use many different kind of paddles..
I give this paddle a 5 as I have found no fault that it does not perform well.
73, W6TH... 67 years of cw using a nonvanity call.
.:
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WA3VAT
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Rating: 0/5
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Nov 1, 2005 15:39
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Trash
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Save your time and money and buy something you will be happy with. The paddles are unusable period.
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