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Author Topic: What's up with Kent Engineers?  (Read 2664 times)

W6TC

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What's up with Kent Engineers?
« on: December 03, 2020, 02:34:58 AM »

I am new to the world of paddles and been considering the highly recommended Kent products.

They are not replying to emails.
They will not ship to the US.
DX who carry their products say expected delivery in August 2022!!

Anybody have any further information?

Thanks.

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G4AON

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #1 on: December 03, 2020, 04:13:32 AM »

Kent are nothing special, it’s odd they won’t ship to the USA using covid as an excuse. Plenty of better keys around.

I should support UK manufacturing, tried their paddles but didn’t like the wide spaced arms. Moved to Begali with no regrets.

73 Dave
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N3HEE

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #2 on: December 03, 2020, 04:50:05 AM »

I agree.  Plenty of better keys available.  I had the Kent dual and single lever keys.  The dual lever was just OK and the single lever was awful.  I would not recommend Kent keys.   
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Joe
N3HEE
CW Academy Advisor (Level II)

W0CKI

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2020, 07:13:09 AM »

I found the Kent dual paddle key to be sloppy and lacking the feedback for accurate sending. I would look at alternatives.
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G3RZP

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #4 on: December 03, 2020, 07:21:11 AM »

Dave - G4AON,

I was talking to the man who owns (owned?) Kent at I guess, must have been Dayton, a few years back. He had moved out of the UK to somewhere in the EU. So not supporting British Industry any more!

73

Peter G3RZP
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K6AER

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2020, 08:40:04 AM »

Checkout the web site for UR5CDX.

https://www.ur5cdx.com/index.php?language=en

His keys are up there with Bangali keys, but much less.
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WB4OFT

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2020, 09:46:12 AM »

DX Engineering sells the paddles and straight key.
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ZL1BBW

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2020, 11:22:04 AM »

Got a double paddle from them a good while ago, its gone well for me.  I do recall having to give them a hurry up as to is whereabouts.  Nice solid key, I tuned the finger pieces upside down and that made it even better for me, maybe once a year it might just need a little bit of adjustment, but I dont keep the screws terribly tight.
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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.

NI0C

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2020, 12:20:22 PM »

DX Engineering sells the paddles and straight key.
But look at that August 2022 estimated ship date for the Kent keys! For something available now in the same price range as the Kent, consider a Bencher, or the Vibroplex square racer (standard version).
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VE3YF

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2020, 01:24:00 PM »

At one point in time earlier this year I wanted to order the double paddle version, but they could not ship due postal problems shipping from regions to regions. And I verified with Deutsche Bundespost that Canada at that time was not accepting oversea's shipments. Not a Deutsche Bundespost problem, was a Canada Post problem.

Not sure if those shipping problems are still in effect.

Kent is now being manufactured in Germany.

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73 De Mike
VE3YF

http://www.ve3yf.com

W6TC

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2020, 09:19:36 AM »

Thanks for all of the comments.
The products from UR5CDX look excellent.

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KD5TXX

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2020, 04:26:59 PM »

I have a Kent TP1.  Mine is good to go.  Had it about 8 or 9 years.  I really like it.  Sure it's not a $300+ key, but it didn't cost near that either.  ( I got it as a gift). For what it cost, it's a good paddle.
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WB7DND

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2021, 08:41:02 PM »

I just ordered and received a Kent single lever paddle from DX Engineering.  As I suspected, they have since sold out.  Both the single lever and the dual lever are now listed with an expected ship date of March 8, 2021.

Haven't had the key long enough to give a meaningful review.  However, it is beautiful and, so far, I like it.
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WB7DND

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2021, 12:18:07 AM »

DX engineering is listing these as in stock, ready to ship.
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N2TO

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Re: What's up with Kent Engineers?
« Reply #14 on: October 09, 2021, 06:49:44 PM »

Late to the party here, just saw thread.

I love my Kent iambic paddle. I've had it for years and it's my go to key. I own a Begali Simplex Pro and for me the Kent is better. I love my W9WBL (SK) V2L paddle but use the Kent more often. I also own a nice OK paddle. I had the Bencher paddle years ago but the Kent was a big upgrade for me. Own a couple of others too.

I remember calling Stan on the phone to order the V2L. He asked if I'd like to hear it. We worked a sked the following Saturday so I got to hear my paddle before receiving it.

73 Kevin N2TO
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