|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Chevron Morse Key.
|
K8EAB
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 18, 2011 16:35
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Unsurpassed workmanship and performance ...
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I received AGA-Chevron Iambic paddle # 007 on Christmas Eve 2008. For many years prior to that date, I searched for “the perfect Iambic paddle”. Today, nearly 3 years later, I realize I no more wish my paddle would do this or wouldn’t do that. After some minor adjustments when I got the paddle, I’ve not had to readjust the travel or tension of the levers at all. They stay where you put them. The paddle is heavy enough that no amount of my banging it will dislodge it from its position on my shack bench. Previous reviews speak of the absolute beauty of the paddle and consummate creation workmanship. All praise for the paddle and its creators is richly deserved.
Is it expensive? Yes, it is … Is my CW sending better because I’m using the AGA-Chevron paddle? Maybe, maybe not …I do think my CW sending is better because I’m confident this paddle will do what I need and want it do … make Morse code characters reliably and accurately every time I reach to use it.
Kevin Gunstone was a delight to work with during the ordering, manufacturing, and delivery process. I can think of no better compliment to this device and it’s creators than to tell them I have just realized I haven’t been searching for the “perfect Iambic paddle” for quite some time now … nearly 3 years!
73, Weymouth (Wey) Walker …
K8EAB
|
|
EI7BA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 29, 2011 07:33
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
The best yet!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I presently own, or have owned, some very fine CW paddles. I heard about the Chevron from friends, and having read the reviews, curiosity eventually got the better of me. I sent in my order to Kevin M0AGA. This was done with a little trepidation, as the Chevron could not be accused of being cheap....in any sense of that word. When the key arrived some time later, and I used it for the first time, I knew I had made no mistake.
Other reviewers have waxed eloquent on the qualities of the Chevron, so I am not going to bore you with the same superlatives, but I will say this..
It may just be possible that there is someone else out there that can make a paddle as good as this, but I'm pretty sure that there's nobody out there that can make a better one!
Thanks Kevin!
|
|
NU5X
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 28, 2011 17:33
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
great key
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Was going to order a Chevron when I was fortunate enough to hear of one available second hand. I spoke with Kevin via email because the magnet strength and paddles were not to my liking. A few days later I had the new strength magnets and paddles of my choice delevered. The service is excellent and the key is even better. I have owned all the top keys on the market.
As for performance, it is like it's on steroids. Machine quality and overall finish is simply the best. A good guy to deal with,
|
|
HA7AP
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 27, 2011 03:44
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
The best of the best
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Honestly! I can't really add anything that wasn't said already, except the fact that I completely agree with N3ND and K1JD's view.
I have the new AGA Chevron key #34
This paddle looks the most beautiful to me.
It bring a smile on my face, every time I look at it.
It is a real jewelry.
Very heavy and stable.
I find that, the thinner finger plate works better for me at high speed QRQ operation.
Kevin,M0AGA is a very friendly person.
We had a lot of E-mail exchange back and forth. I received pix and we also had a enjoyable long conversation on skype too:-)
I also like the costum made name badge a lot on top of key.
The key has a feather light feel of touch.
It runs flawless, and very easy to send clean code with it.
It was very easy to adjust the paddle, and it works perfect and flawless with the smallest gap between contacts possible.
I am completely satisfied with my new toy
73 de Imi HA7AP
|
|
WA6KYR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 6, 2010 21:43
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
perfect key
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I just received my key a few days ago. I bought the all chrome AGA key with green rounded rectangular finger plates. I also got gold plated contacts. Visually the key is stunning. The perfect chrome finish is almost like velvet. Reminiscent of those chrome motorcycles that must be inside the garage all the time to look that good. Visually I noticed chamfered and curved edges making the key look like jewelry.
Mechanically the key is incredibly smooth and responsive. The finger plates fit your hands. The key is compact but very heavy with good rubber mounts so it will not slide on the table. The thread adjustment stays put and is very precise. Mechanically everything lines up and
is very precise like a precision instrument. The other feature according to one of my expert ham friends is that the magnets push instead of pull the mechanical arms making for a very responsive key. Maybe that explains why it performs so well
These keys are made to order but worth the wait.
bye Richard
|
|
KT5X
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 14, 2009 11:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
may never be exceeded
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
The only reason I have rated this paddle a five, is that six, or perhaps more in scale, ten, isn't available. Others have said well why. It is functionally flawless, and the finish work is better than that. I have used very nearly all paddles that have ever been made. This is beyond them all. The paddle will last a lifetime, and bring a smile every time you use it.
|
|
GU4CHY
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 7, 2007 07:07
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Oustanding quality and great service
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
I fully endorse the review by N3ND. I just want to add that the outstanding quality of the paddle is backed up by outstanding service from the team that build them.
Kevin M0AGA sent me regular e-mails with pix of the paddle as it progressed. He would not accept payment until the build was finished.
The key is not cheap but there is no finer paddle on the market. My other paddles include the Brown Bros BTL-A and Begali Magnetic Classic. I like them all but the Chevron is the one I would grab if the shack caught fire.
If you are searching for a top-end paddle I cannot recommend it or the Chevron team more highly.
73 Dick GU4CHY
|
|
GI0RQK
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 4, 2007 07:00
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
As good as it gets
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
There is not really much more I could add to the previous great reviews of the Chevron paddle key by N3ND and K1JD.
I found out about the Chevron Morse key from a friend. My first impression of the key was that it was a bit expensive. I debated purchasing one for a while.
An e-mail and later a telephone call to Kevin (M0AGA) and a key was ordered.
As the Chevron is made to order I had to wait a few weeks for the key.
I eagerly anticipated the arrival of the key. Eventually the big day came when the Chevron arrived. I had high expectations and certainly was not disappointed. Here was something special, I was lost for words.
The Chevron is a beautiful key. Materials, finish and build quality are excellent.
There has been a lot of thought and time gone into the design and development.
Great attention has been given to the subtle details.
I enjoy using the Chevron on air. It puts a smile on my face. What more can I say.
The key is capable of use way beyond my skill limits.
It has certainly inspired me to a higher standard of code.
I do not like to use the old cliché of how this is the best ever Morse key.
There are some nice keys about. I think that the Chevron is one of the all time great keys. The Chevron is as good as it gets.
My only regret is that I did not order one sooner.
I would like to wish the Chevron Team (Kevin Alan and Ray) all the best for the future. Keep up the good work.
Colin
GI0RQK
www.qsl.net/gi0rqk
|
|
N3ND
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 27, 2006 18:21
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Simply the best
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I have been fortunate to have owned or used many, if not most iambic paddles in my 43 year amateur career. They range from the smallest and least expensive to some of the most expensive paddles manufactured. The Chevron paddle falls somewhere into the latter category, but you will understand by the end of this review that, in my opinion, it was a small price to pay for the value you receive.
These remarkable paddles are manufactured, one at a time, by master machinists, and its expert craftsmanship is outwardly identifiable by its outstanding good looks. They have such a beautiful luster that even a jeweler will admire. Indeed, they are a piece of jewelry whose “eye candy” appeal is second to none. But the real refinements are those which are not necessarily visible to the naked eye.
Attention to detail is something that many manufacturers overlook whether it’s a concern for production costs or a general lack of awareness of the end user’s true desires. Certainly the Chevron key is built by those who love, cherish, and understand CW and the CW operator, but it goes much deeper as evidenced by their manufacturing criteria. Even the smallest detail has been met with keen observation and thought. Quite honestly, I believe these are built as a labor of love.
• Each paddle lever’s weight distribution is balanced perfectly to the opposing lever. The same is true to the external dimensions of those levers. There is simply no variation between the two levers on any single key – they are impeccably matched.
• The alignment of the ball bearing block is done by CNC machining. This process eliminates variations that could possibly disturb the fragile rotation of the levers.
• Most other manufacturers of paddles rely on the bearing assembly or spring to commute the ground return for the paddle output. This has proven unreliable for some type of electronic keyers which require a very low resistance closure. Not so with the Chevron. The Chevron uses a small, silver-braided and flexible tie between each lever and the ground-block, or base in this case.
• All adjustments are made through fine-threaded, close tolerance screw assemblies. This allows a person to easily make very minor adjustments without having to go back and forth, and back and forth to get the right setting to their individual tastes.
• Cable connections to the key are done with very small banana plugs. Why? So you can change the dit and dah lever without having to unsolder and re-solder either a plug or a connection to the key. I was equally impressed with the supplied cable (plug style of your choice) sent with the key. It is a small diameter, shielded, rubber covered audio cable. The choice of rubber insulation allows this cord to be extremely flexible and lie flat on the operating table. Try that with PVC covered cable.
• The lever paddles are made from acrylic. These fairly thick “finger pieces” exhibit no give or over-travel when you are keying, unlike many paddles out there. Over-travel gives a mushy feel. Additionally, the “finger pieces” are designed to allow a person to raise or lower them independently and upon personal preference to where their hand / fingers wish to rest. Available in several colors of your choice, and this is cool, the gold color is actually gold burned into the acrylic.
• Even the feet. Yes, the feet on the base. Even as heavy as these paddles are, the way some people aggressively attack a key, enough sideways exertion may cause paddles to “walk” on the operating desk. Not so with the Chevron. Remember, we’re talking about attention to detail. The Chevron uses rubber feet that have been designed to eliminate such a concern. They really hold.
Of all magnetic tension keys I have used, I prefer the type that repels the lever to its resting point. This means that the lever requires more weight to activate it, but it snaps back to its resting point quicker. The immediate snap-action back to the resting point means that the lever is fully prepared to be exercised again for the next character formation. I find this works best for me to send accurate Morse QRQ.
So, that’s a lot of detail, but how does it work? I deliberately waited six weeks to use the Chevron before I wrote a review. Why? Because I wanted to make sure that I was not falsely enamored with them when I was really only trying to justify the expense.
Quite simply, the Chevron has the best feel, the most perfect touch of any key I have ever tried or owned. I can only conclude that it’s because of all the attention to detail; thus the reason for citing that early on. Its feel is something which must be experienced; no written description can adequately express the exhilaration you get when you sit down with the Chevron. These keys can take all the pounding you want to dish out, but I challenge you that to caress the Chevron will reveal its hidden qualities. There is nothing finer.
There is no need for me to own another set of paddles. My collection is complete. I own Chevron #16.
|
|
K1JD
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 10, 2006 10:50
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Outstanding New Paddle
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
There are some very nice paddles here in the shack (Mercury/Bencher, Begali Graciella, and previously a WBL V22) so Chevron SN #005 had stiff competition when it arrived a short time ago. Kevin, M0AGA, a good friend, and Alan G4HCD have done an outstanding job leading the design, prototype and fabrication efforts. Right out of the box, I was able to run the code speed up and send relatively error free whereas most new paddles have required a (sometimes extended) period to adapt.
Personal preference adjustments are very easy. The contact spacing adjustment screws have super-fine threads which I’ve set to about 0.1 rotations from contact closure - VERY close. Happy to say, the Chevron has not shown any tendency to close by itself when set like this, a problem realized in many keys due to thermal instability and/or other design issues. The magnet gap settings allow greatly variable closure effort from very slight to heavy. The wide range of adjustment should accommodate most operator preferences.
Magnetic paddles like the Mercury have a very distinctive feel when breaking the magnetic field. Although also a magnetic design, the Chevron feels completely different; “neutral” is the word that comes to mind. One definitely gets the impression that the levers are perfectly matched and balanced and tolerances are held tight.
Heavy-fisted telegraphers (like me) hit paddles hard while sending which can cause contact bounce-induced errors, especially when the contact gap is set very close. I have not been able to induce ANY contact bounce errors with the contacts set near the closure point. Based on experience with otherwise excellent paddles, this is an astonishing achievement. Also, even with my heavy fist the paddle stays put on the desk.
The key’s clear protective coating in no way alters the natural hue of the metals. My key has bronze levers and base with other parts in brass. The subtle contrast between the pinkish bronze and the brass parts is beautiful. Don’t be surprised to see a few swirl marks in the finish as the keys are hand polished.
I would not elect to gold plate this particular key but believe that gold plating is now being offered as an option.
Measured in terms of enabling faster and cleaner CW right away, this paddle sets a new standard. It is an exceptionally fine key. In an era when telegraphers seem to be an endangered species, it’s comforting to know that the drive to achieve ever higher standards in key design and assembly is still very much alive.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
