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Reviews For: March Magnetic Paddle R3a

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : March Magnetic Paddle R3a
Reviews: 90MSRP: 250. and up
Description:
Handmade Brass Paddle with Excellent "Feel"
Product is in production
More Info: http://sites.google.com/site/marchmagneticpaddles/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
45904.9
K4UE Rating: 2001-04-27
March Magnetic paddle R3a Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Mike March is an ARTIST. I had seen his webpage and planned to order one of his custom key. While at Jacksom, Ms hamfest what did I see but a March R3a for sale. I bought the R3a, then ask the seller why selling the key. The seller said, I just am not into cw. I am a lucky man. I have used cw since 1964 ,the March R3a is the finest key to look at and use I have ever used. I would suggest you buy one before Mike realizes how much they are worth. TEN all the way on looks and operation. I have a Long Island Mercury by KG4ED on order, just like to try paddles. Hope like as well as Mike's R3a. The March R3a is priced cheap!!!!!! K4UE Don
KB4X Rating: 2001-04-03
Superbly Crafted Iambic Paddles Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Mike March, K4QU, has created a masterpiece in his R3a paddle. I am a 99% CW op and have been for the past 43 years (first licensed at age 11; so, I am not completely "over the hill"). In this 43 year period, I have used many, many differnet keys, bugs and paddles, including Vibroplex, Bencher, Brown Brothers, Heathkit and many others. I had, however, never used a hand-crafted instrument. I began looking for an "upgrade" several months ago after becoming increasingly disatisfied with the performance of my B brand paddle at high speeds. After reading the eHam reviews of Mike's R3a, as well as other information, I decided that I could not go wrong with the R3a - the price is probably the most reasonable of the hand-crafted paddles and who else could boast of twenty 5.0 reviews? Well, I am pleased to report that Mike'string of 5.0's shall go unbroken. I have had my R3a now for about ten days, and it is magnificant. My version is in polished brass with the special top. For variety in both feel and appearance, I ordered three different sets of finger pieces in both wood and plastic. The paddle is truly a work of art. Even my wife, who is very tolerant of my hobby but is a very non-technical, non-ham person, commented on the beauty of the paddle. Most important, however, the paddles perform on a level equal to their beauty. The feel is superb, and they can be adjusted down to a "gnat's hair" and the setting will stay there. I find that I am able to send much faster and accurately and have less fatigue with the R3a - goal accomplished!

If you're going to Dayton, check out Mike's booth - - but you had better get there early. His collection of paddles will sell quickly. Great job, Mike. Keep up the good work!

73,

Bob KB4X
NU7F Rating: 2001-02-19
Superb Craftsmanship Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It seems like most CW ops have their personal favorite key, bug, or paddle and there are a large number of opinions as to "which is best." For me, the deciding factors in priority are feel, adjustments, reproducibility, weight, and looks. The March R3a exceeds my expectations in all of these areas. I have used a number of paddles over the years including Bencher, Vibroplex, HamKey, Nye, Ten-tec, and Heath and liked them all to some extent. I had settled on the reliable ole Heath for the past 5 years or so but jumped at the opportunity to try the R3a. The appearance is impossible to ignore. It really is gorgeous but the feel is the real story. The action provided by the magnetics is smoother than anything I've tried. The base is heavy enough for even the heavy fists and there are adequate adjustments to tailor the action to your own desires. Well done Mike!
WB9LPU Rating: 2000-12-08
Highly positive comments Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had been admiring the March R3a paddles for some time, and I finally decided to take the plunge. The paddles arrived two days ago, and I knew very soon that the wait had been worth it. This is a beautiful instrument. Its design is unlike any other available; not only is it striking in appearance, it has several unique features that set it apart from the others. The magnetic tensioning system uses magnets in the repulsion mode - this makes it feel more spring-like and eliminates the "clicky" feel, which I dislike, that arises if magnets are used in the attraction mode (this has to do with the magnetic field decreasing with distance, etc.). As a maker and collector of paddles myself, I look at any instrument with a critical eye, and I find that the design and the surface finish are superb. The bearing system allows adjustment of the "feel" of the paddle in addition to the spacing and tension. There is some flexion in the paddle closure (as in the "brand B" paddle, but it is felt only if one uses a very heavy touch. Since my present "speed limit" is around 20 wpm, I can't comment on high speed performance, but I suspect that the adjustments will allow speed demons to use the paddle effectively. My first contact with the new paddles was with another QRP/paddle enthusiast, so we had much to discuss. I'll sum it up this way; I move the paddles to the center of my desk when I leave the shack, so that they are the first thing I see when I come back in.
K1KID Rating: 2000-11-07
A real performer!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Mechanically the paddle is just plain beautiful as all the previous reviews state. But "pretty is as pretty does" as they say. And that is where the March paddle really shines. The "feel" of the paddle is unique. To say it was very smooth would be an understatement, I guess maybe slick is more like it. The magnetic mechanism works better than anything else I have ever used. If you do much CW, this is the best equipment investment you will ever make. The price is right too!!
WB4KVB Rating: 2000-10-13
excellant Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My R3a arrived yesterday and it is a work of art, the workmanship is excellant and it operates flawlessly
you can adjust the spacing to nearly zero, its one beautiful key well worth the price, thx paul yandell
K3GM Rating: 2000-07-28
An absolute bargin! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Mike's R3a paddles are without a doubt, the best bargin out there today for "handmade" paddles. I had the opportunity this year at Dayton to try out the Bencher "Mercury" and the Vibroplex "Venus", the former needing no explaination, and the latter a prototype which will sell for about five hundred dollars. The March R3a paddles are every bit as smooth and responsive for about half the cost. After nearly 20 years of use, I had grown used to the wider finger spacing of my Bencher BY-2's. The R3a's finger pieces are a bit closer together, and old habits die hard, but the silky smooth action and it's adjustability are undeniable. Workmanship, detail, operation are all outstanding. I have serial #165, and it's nice knowing you have a piece built by a craftsman with loving care.
N4KU Rating: 2000-07-22
Great Paddles, Great Value! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought these paddles from Mr. March at Dayton 2000. I had heard about them last year shortly after Dayton and knew I wanted to take a look. I found his web page, saw the pictures of the paddles, and knew they were a work of art. This year, I got to Dayton on Friday morning (early) and made a beeline to his flea market space. Of the five sets he brought, one set was already sold. While I admired the paddles he had on his table he sold the second set to another ham. I bought his third set. An hour later, I returned to find he had sold the remaining two sets.
These paddles are a true pleasure to use. Very smooth action, and are adjustable to a fine degree (fine as a frog hair as we say in Kentucky!). And, they are a bargain, maybe even a "steal" at this price. Much more enjoyable to use than my original Benchers (which have since been sold). My only other set of paddles, Kent Duals, are now collecting dust on the shelf. If you are looking for a truely beautiful, well crafted, and pleasurable set of paddles, you simply must try a set of March R-3A's. Visit his web page....he regularly posts the hamfests he will be attending. 73/DX Allan
K4EQ Rating: 2000-07-02
Excellent! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've used Bencher Paddles for years and was happy with them. However, my March paddles are the best I've ever used and there's not much I can add to what's already been said. I confess, I was a little disappointed at first because I couldn't get them adjusted the way I like. It took me several days of trial and error to get there. There are three adjustments for each side for a total of six. This is good, since it gives you more options; it just takes a little longer to get it right. Now that I have everything where I want it, it's perfect. Paying that much for a set of paddles was a little extreme for me, but I'm glad I did. CW has always been my first love in the hobby. Now I love it even more.
WZ7W Rating: 2000-06-14
Great Value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This handbuilt work of art sure is nice to look
at. I'm still working at adjusting it, but it seems
to be very well built. Once I get it dialed in I bet
it stays put, because its very solid.