Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces  (Read 653 times)

KK2CW

  • Posts: 12
    • HomeURL
Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« on: February 09, 2023, 07:20:43 AM »

Guys - This is a REALLY fine point question on sending accuracy, but I welcome any and all feedback from those with experience.

As someone who grew up with a Vibroplex bug as a teenage novice in the 1970’s, the logical next step for me was a single lever paddle - i.e.  a dual finger piece Bencher from the 1980s with a 3/8” or 1/2” outer to outer (OTO) spacing.  This paddle served me well for casual operating through the early 2000’s, before too many life demands took me off the air until recently.

I am now ready to purchase a premier 5-star single lever paddle (let’s leave the manufacturer out of this discussion, or we will get derailed:) and resume daily on-the-air CW in earnest.  Six months ago, I purchased a low-end 3D printed paddle with a SINGLE finger piece - approximately 1/8” OTO thick.  I really liked the feel of it, as I have small hands and a relatively light touch.  Unfortunately, there was no tension adjustment and it is a non-starter for continued use.

HERE’S THE QUESTION:  Have any of you single lever users ever gone from a two finger piece paddle to a high quality single finger piece paddle (successfully or unsuccessfully)?  Did YOU see an improvement or degradation of sending accuracy at 20+ WPM?  How was the feel different to YOU and what did you ultimately prefer (single or dual)?

Thanks in advance for replies.  73…

Steve
KK2CW (ex. WZ2V)
Logged

WA2EIO

  • Member
  • Posts: 278
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2023, 08:16:35 AM »

I can understand your problem. 
Along with a straight key, I also stated with a bug and then went to the single lever Vibroplex paddle, which has  pretty much the same paddle/knob as the bug, and have been very comfortable with it.  I have tried dual lever (single action) paddles, and find that I could not get comfortable using that type of 'knob,' so I decided to stick with the single lever Vibroplex.
Logged

W0WCA

  • Member
  • Posts: 149
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2023, 08:31:14 AM »

I was never very comfortable with a single finger piece single lever paddle. I am a big fan of the Vibrokeyer dual finger piece single lever paddle. Additionally, a like the ergonomics of the Vibrokeyer which has the same finger piece layout as the Vibroplex "bug".
Logged

N9ZI

  • Member
  • Posts: 2
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2023, 08:34:05 AM »

Hello -

 I have used both and much prefer two finger pieces on my single lever paddle.
Logged

W6MK

  • Posts: 4095
    • HomeURL
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2023, 09:16:18 AM »

I don't think it matters much. After a bit of time one adjusts to whatever setup one has been using.

My experience is with sideswipers with finger pieces of varying width, narrow single lever paddles primarily used in bug mode; dual lever paddles used in bug mode and bugs with a narrow finger piece or wide Vibroplex-type finger pieces.

The currently popular practice of setting paddle movement to the very minimum may make the situation different. I think that minimal paddle motion makes avoiding errors significantly more difficult although it may save calories.

Begali, and possibly other high-end builders, offers paddles with adjustable finger piece width which would seem to be an appropriate option for the picky.
Logged

W0CKI

  • Member
  • Posts: 637
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2023, 10:47:59 AM »

I went from a straight key to a bug. After not being a CW op for several years tried going back to a bug, didn't work for me. Went to a paddle, learned "squeeze" keying, never looked back. 2 paddles for me. Now CW is close to 90% of my ops.
Gary W0CKI
Logged

KD9PQB

  • Posts: 26
    • HomeURL
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2023, 11:24:06 AM »

I'm relatively new to CW so take this with a block of salt - I've had a number of keys, Palm, Begali, N3ZN, QSK Touch Key, and am down to one iambic with about a 3/4" spread and a single paddle with a very narrow "blade" for a paddle - a Begali HST.  Ignoring the fact that it's an iambic key, I prefer the feel of the 3/4" spread to the very narrow blade - my hand is more naturally relaxed with that gap and it's easy to keep contact with the paddles.  With the single lever key, I have to bring my fingers in close - kind of pinch - or I end up slapping a little, which I don't like to do.  If I were to get another single-lever paddle, it would probably be an N3ZN with a 3/4" spread.  I had one of his iambic keys and in wanting to try out others I sold it - it was a great key.  All that said, I have adapted to the HST and can key almost as fast with it as I can with the iambic 17-vs 19 wpm and go back and forth between the two keys without much adjustment.  And I seem to make fewer mistakes with the HST.   

By the way, I didn't think the HST was going to make me a speed demon despite its heritage.  From what I've read, that design doesn't come into its own unto about 40 wpm.  I just wanted to try one.
Logged

W6MK

  • Posts: 4095
    • HomeURL
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2023, 11:55:24 AM »

I'm relatively new to CW so take this with a block of salt -

I have adapted to the HST and can key almost as fast with it as I can with the iambic 17-vs 19 wpm and go back and forth between the two keys without much adjustment.

I seem to make fewer mistakes with the HST.   

By the way, I didn't think the HST was going to make me a speed demon

With experience most CW ops focus on quality of sending ("fewer mistakes?") rather than the demon of speed.

Demon speed seems to be the major goal for new CW ops I think primarily because it's a relatively simple and easy-to-understand singular goal rather than a more complex one with multiple aspects like quality of sending (being clear and easily copyable under good or poor receiving conditions).

17 to 19 wpm is a modest speed range which most new ops should be able to achieve within several months of beginning to learn Morse Code. Regular operating over a similar period should improve copy speed to 25 wpm or so. Being able to copy code at 25 wpm under a range of receive conditions is one thing; being able to send clear, easily copyable code at 25 wpm is another matter entirely and significantly more difficult to attain.

There's a big difference in the enjoyment of listening to code sent clear and error-free at 20 wpm and listening to code sent poorly-spaced and full of errors at the same overall speed.
Logged

KE6SLS

  • Member
  • Posts: 102
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2023, 12:12:31 PM »

I've been lucky to have used both.  I ended up preferring the two paddle and enjoyed the perfect characters they tend to produce.

I also love my straight key. 

Now I deal with spinal injuries.  Fingers mostly don't do what I ask them to do, so that stalled the paddles for me.  I've switched hands and now send with left hand on my straight key.  I am just glad I can still do it at all!

You're fingers will help you make a decision.  But personally, if you had room, why not all four?! :)_

73

Jaye
Logged

VR2AX

  • Member
  • Posts: 2233
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2023, 12:35:01 PM »

Uk centric

We had a 12 wpm test using a straight hand key. The tester was the then British Post Office inspector. Face to face. 60s.

Electionic keys came later. The only upgrade in those days was to learn the not inconsiderable skill of the mechanical bug key, J39 or vibroplex if you had money, else a Japanese model that was cheap, like from South By Java Head.

Around the late 60s, electronic keys appeared. They had two paddes. The new technique was squeeze keying. This required the user to move from hand functions to light finger ones.

Don't worry about mistakes in cw most people can't spell to save their lives so try to make it sound nice then it will be satisfying.

I have a Vibroplex Original and Dual Paddle, Kent single, couple of Soviet ones, a mini Japanese finger operated paddle, I make the same mistakes with the bunch.
Logged

K3TN

  • Member
  • Posts: 1013
    • My Blog
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2023, 05:57:01 AM »

I used various 2 lever high quality paddles for many years, tried a Begali single lever at the Dayton Hamvention years ago and realized I was a slapper not squeezer! My sending accuracy at my normal range of 25 WPM (not counting contests) is definitely better, a lot of mileage since then has reinforced that.

Three issues at work: I am definitely less accurate trying to use squeeze keying, which requires 2 levers. But, you can do "non-Iambic" keying on a 2 lever paddle.

So, the second issue is the width of the fingerpiece. The two lever paddles were too wide, my Begali Sculpture Mono has a thin fingerpiece, my N3ZN SLR (not made anymore) has a medium width fingerpiece, current N3ZN single lever keys seem to have a wider fingerpiece.

For me, and all of this is obviously YMMV, the medium width fingerpiece works the best from a "fewest sending mistakes at my preferred sending speed" viewpoint.

The third issue is the height above the desk of the bottom fingerpiece - let's just call this the overall area of the fingerpiece. The Sculpture Mono wins here for me - that is why it is my main key. For any ragchewing, it gives me the best accuracy in longer/more random sending.

I don't think I can really tell any difference of the mechanisms on the high end keys - I think if I could swap fingerpieces across them, my preference would follow. That is another YMMV area.

But, definitely for me - moving away from 2 paddle was a sending accuracy increaser and I've been 90% CW since I was 12 years old, a mere 54 years ago!

73 John K3TN



HERE’S THE QUESTION:  Have any of you single lever users ever gone from a two finger piece paddle to a high quality single finger piece paddle (successfully or unsuccessfully)?  Did YOU see an improvement or degradation of sending accuracy at 20+ WPM?  How was the feel different to YOU and what did you ultimately prefer (single or dual)?

Thanks in advance for replies.  73…

Steve
KK2CW (ex. WZ2V)
Logged
John K3TN

KK2CW

  • Posts: 12
    • HomeURL
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2023, 03:59:51 PM »

John -

Thank you for the detailed reply, and to all who have replied to date. I resonate with all three factors you cited. 

Last night, I experimented with the (very) low-cost single-fingerpiece paddle I purchased from CW Morse.

I realized, through trial and error, that if I held the thin fingerpiece with my THUMB TIP and the KNUCKLE of my index finger (much like I always did with my Vibroplex and Bencher), my accuracy significantly improved.

Previously, with the CW Morse single fingerpiece, I was tempted to grip it differently, with finger tips only.  For those of us beyond age 60, I think this brings small muscles too much into play, leading to sending errors.  The big muscles in the wrist and forearm are more reliable. The physiology here, as we hams interact with our keys, is fascinating.

I am leaning toward the purchase of an N3ZN-SLjr (2nd Generation) with a single fingerpiece from Tony N3ZN.  EHam reviews appear to all be five stars, as with Bengali.

This is a great discussion thread.  Thanks to all.  Additional comments welcome…

Steve KK2CW (ex. WZ2V)
Topic Originator
Logged

K3TN

  • Member
  • Posts: 1013
    • My Blog
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2023, 04:26:59 AM »

I'm sure you'll love that N3ZN key!

He doesn't seem to make my round SLR single lever key anymore, but it looks like the one below in LX2RL's picture, but a matted steel finish vs. brass.  Looks like two fingerpieces and make a wider single lever on the current ones.

I set it up seven or eight years ago, never had to touch/adjust again.

73 John K3TN


Logged
John K3TN

KD1W

  • Member
  • Posts: 1
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2023, 04:59:35 PM »

I've been using a single lever as a side swiper for a couple of years now and it's the only way to go for me.  I will never go back.  I'm guessing it will be my main key going forward.  I used to switch back to my straight key when things got rough but not anymore.  Once you try it and get used to it you will love it.
Logged

VE3WGO

  • Member
  • Posts: 666
Re: Single Lever Paddle - One vs Two Finger Pieces
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2023, 07:46:27 AM »

I like a single lever with large finger pieces, such as a Vibroplex single lever.  Also, I make fewer mistakes with the single lever than with the iambic, especially after working CW for a while. 

A bigger issue for me is trying to see which way my hand likes the dot/dash direction after a long CW session...  ie, the thumb doing dots or dashes.  My thumb seems to make more errors when it makes dots (or I should say that my wrist/arm makes them in the direction when my thumb is pressing) when I start getting tired.

73, Ed
Logged
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up