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Reviews For: RA1AOM Paddles

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : RA1AOM Paddles
Reviews: 11MSRP: 450.00
Description:
Valery, RA1AOM produces very nice keys whose base is made out of Ural stone (marble). The mechanism has a magnetic return, is very smooth and practically noiseless. A real work of art.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.qrz.com/db/RA1AOM
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
25115
W2IY Rating: 2023-03-22
Magnificent! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've owned several top-shelf paddles over the years and Val's paddle is a real beauty to look at and a joy to use. I ordered this one about a year and a half ago; extensive delay in delivery was caused by the USPS and the Russian postal service not playing nice together because of the current geopolitical situation. But the result was well worth the wait. The key has a fairly light action and has good tactile feedback. Very heavy and supplied with a non-slip pad on the base so even if you really pound away on it (which is not necessary at all) this key will stay planted on your desk. Val is a true craftsman making beautiful and effective keys and I am grateful to have one.
RM2D Rating: 2023-02-14
The Best of the best Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have been looking at Valery's, RA1AOM, paddles for many years, but simply did not get hold of one. That was a true mistake, as now I realize how many years I have used paddles inferior to his quality.

The first one I bought was a single lever paddle. Works great, but I am not an excellent user of single paddle. Therefore I asked Valery to produce a compact double lever paddle.

WOW!

I have been using different paddles since 1982, and it took me 40 years to find the RIGHT one!

This paddle I am sure I will never need to replace, or even challenge with other paddles. This IS the paddle I have been looking for. Perfect to adjust, 100% stable on the table due to weight and a very nice rubber pad (cushion) underneath.

Valery is also very forthcoming with suggestions and adapt to ideas very quickly. Highly recommended.

73 de Mats RM2D (SM6LRR)
W0CKI Rating: 2022-07-13
Smooth as silk Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My paddle arrived via Finland a couple of weeks ago. It is drop dead gorgeous! The Jasper stone is beautifully carved and finished, and the paddle certainly stands out. The machine work on the paddle base is outstanding. It also sticks to my table.
It is silky smooth in operation. The touch is very light with no perceptible mechanical noise.
This is my first magnetic paddle and I find the need for some practice with it at speeds above 20 WPM. The key is very responsive. I am using it daily and love it.
While it takes some time to complete, it's custom made, the buyer selects the stone and the mechanics of the device. It's truly hand made.
Val is a delight and very easy to work with. He keeps you apprised of his progress with photos. His keys and paddles are a work of art.
Treat yourself.
Gary W0CKI
VA2HIL Rating: 2021-12-12
the key is just awesome! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I own the single lever key for about a month. What a beautiful piece of art made by talented Valery! The base is made of obsidian stone. Most of the metal parts have been polished manually and the key looks great on the stone. Operating the key is nothing but pleasure. It is so smooth and not producing any noise at all. I was so surprised how this can be so smooth and quiet. I own also Begali Signature and Kent single lever. But the Velery's one is my favorite. Begali produces loud clicking and it is not so smooth as RA1AOM key.
KB7TT Rating: 2021-11-25
Excellent, smooth key with no noise whatsoever. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have owned an RA1aom single lever for over a year so I decided to have Valery make me and iambic key on a beautiful piece of Ural stone. I received it last June after delays due to COVID restrictions in Russia. Man this thing is gorgeous, and boy does it sing. It is one of his newest mechanical design, silky smooth magnetics with spring loading on the contacts as well. Abolutel no noise and like carving warm butter with a dull knife. Thank you Valery this is a keeper. I hav also owned Begal and N3ZN keys and this beats them all.
KA3BQE Rating: 2021-07-08
Modern Art Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I do not know how I forgot to post about this gorgeous work of Modern Art that also functions as a paddle. Ah, life happened. Purchased at end of 2019 then covid hit. Also ended up moving QTH from Indianapolis back to Central Illinois in Jan 2021. Now I'm unpacking my shack and finding all my toys. The action on this is superb. But honestly I could let it sit there and just look pretty. The workmanship is incredible. Val's work is second to none in my book. I'm hoping, if time permits, to see about acquiring another one of these beauties.
W5PD Rating: 2019-02-03
Fantastic Key Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have several keys and the one Val made is the best of all. A beautiful work of ART! It is easy to adjust and very smooth. A joy to operate.
I have owned it more than a year. You can't go wrong with Val's keys.
DK2NG Rating: 2019-01-22
A real stone beauty Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I like to run CW, but I'm not very good at it. I never worked as a radio operator. I came to Morse through amateur radio. There this mode of operation has always fascinated me, although I do not operate it exclusively.
Quickly I recognized the influence of different Morse keys on giving. In order to have the right hand free for taking notes, I practiced giving with the left hand and therefore switched from straight keys to squeeze paddles.
My first paddle was a Bencher. It is functional, but cannot compete with the quality products of smaller manufacturers or individuals like Schurr, Begali, UR5CDX or N3ZN. I tried some of these paddles and owned them for a while.
By chance I came across the paddles from RA1AOM. Already by the use of a gemstone as base plate it stands out from the other models.
Then I ordered such a key from Valery. He builds each paddle individually. Thus one has the possibility to let his ideas and desires flow into the building. This already starts with the choice of the stone and its colour and goes on to the further details. The delivery time is about 2 months. During this time Val regularly sends photos so that you can follow the development of "his" paddles.

The quality of these paddles is outstanding. Everything is polished and makes a high-quality impression. The restoring force of the contacts is applied by magnets. The contacts themselves are easily accessible and can be easily cleaned if necessary.
The only point of criticism is perhaps that the adjusting screws do not consist of fine threads. So the adjustment is a bit fiddly. However, this is not done so often and is therefore not a major disadvantage. The handpieces could be a bit smaller.
Using the paddles is a real pleasure. It is very light and smooth. You don't hear contact rattles like with other models. Especially with the Begali this is very loud and can be disturbing.
This paddle is really a piece of jewellery and a real stone beauty. She has a place of honour in my shack.
OH2FUW Rating: 2018-04-20
super! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been the owner of the RA1AOM key for more than two years. I use single-lever keys, there is KENT, BENCHER and others. Valery often makes double-lever keys and I have long persuaded him to make a one-lever for me. Two years ago he made it to me, this is a great product! Soft, with a magnetic adjustment, not a key and a fairy tale! On the base QTH, I only use it and do not want to change anything. Thanks to Valera!
K1TGX Rating: 2018-04-11
Excellent Paddle! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had one of Val's marvelous creations for a little over a year now. Not only is it a beautiful work of mechanical art but it has become the only paddle I use now. I sold my Bencher and temporarily still have my Vibroplex. I made very minor adjustments to it after receiving it from Val. It is absolutely a pleasure to use.
I have tried other paddles in the last few years but I can't see me using anything else.