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Reviews For: K8RA Iambic Paddle

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : K8RA Iambic Paddle
Reviews: 230MSRP: 65
Description:
Modestly priced, beautiful paddle
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.k8ra.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
002304.9
NM5B Rating: 2007-09-29
P-2 First Impression: Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The P-2 just arrived (excellent packaging!) and my first impression exceeds expectations. Jerry's workmanship is excellent and the design is well thought out. The upper and lower ball bearing assemblies provide the smooth, effortless feel that is the norm these days with semi-custom keys. The P-2 has a clear finish that seems bullet proof, so it should look the same a few years down the road as it does now. And at almost 3#, the P-2 stays put.

So my first impression is very positive: smooth, heavy, excellent attention to detail.

Bruce, NM5B
KE5MBV Rating: 2007-09-23
P-2 WOW! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Jerry was great to deal with. His product is second to none. Well put together, easy to adjust and very heavy. I purchased two P-2's and am pleased with this great product.

Jerry, keep up the good work.
Bobby
KE5MBV
G8JNF Rating: 2007-08-30
P-4 SUPERB! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First of all let me say that despite having a license now for over 30 years I have never been a great CW fan.

I have tinkered with it on and off over the years but never really enjoyed it and found it awkward and boring, until now!

In the past I have always used cheap keys and I think that was my failing to enjoying CW. They always required constant adjustment, and used to move around too much on the desk making for a negative experience. So, after reading the various reviews on eHam I decided to purchase a P-4 and give it a try.

What a breath of fresh air this key is. Within a couple of minutes of connecting it to the rig and adjusting it I was off. This key just feels 'right' it has a nice action, beautifully made and weighing in at a little over 5lbs believe me it does NOT move around the desk! This key is a keeper.

Well done Jerry, and thanks once again for a superb piece of engineering.

Regards
Duncan
G8JNF
W0XEU Rating: 2007-08-29
P-2 - VERY NICE!!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I am not a DX hound, but a casual CW op (I have a microphone but not sure where it is). I use the P-2 daily, and find it smooth, comfortable and pleasing to the eyes. The fit-and-finish is exceptional, it is easy to adjust, it DOES NOT move around on the desk, and it 'feels great'. Recommendation: Get one while you can! I like the P-2 model, but others might want the 'extra weight of the P-5, the push-buttons for a keyer on the P-3, or the smaller size of the 'jr'. Many Thanks, Jerry!
W2RRT Rating: 2007-07-08
Very easy to operate as a single paddle Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I first called Jerry and asked him if he made any single paddle keys. He answered no. I took a chance and ordered one of his double paddle keys. I'm glad I did. Until I can Master the squeeze method I use it as a single paddle with no problem. It not only operates great it looks great. Jerry, You deserve all the compliments.
KE4KY Rating: 2007-05-27
GOOD QUALITY!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
PURCHASED AT THE 2007 DAYTON HAMVENTION... ACTUALLY K8RA'S FIRST SALE OF THE EVENT!!

ONCE I GOT THE UNIT ADJUSTED... THE NICEST SET OF IAMBIC PADDLES I HAVE OWNED. I HAVE (AND LIKE) MY KENT IAMBIC.. BUT THE P4 MODEL I PURCHASED IS MUCH MORE RESPONSIVE AND "SMOOTH." MUCH BETTER THAN THE BENCHER I ONCE OWNED.

VERY GLAD TO HAVE MADE THIS PURCHASE!!

GLENN
KE4KY

N6NKN Rating: 2007-05-26
Jr. Is A Winner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Today I received my K8RA P-2jr. It's my third K8RA paddle and the smallest in the lineup. But it is built with the same precision as its bigger brothers. I ordered it with the rosewood finger pieces and they are in perfect proportion to this 2" X 2 1/2" key. But don't let its small size fool you, this a serious CW machine. It can be adjusted very closly and a very light touch is all that is needed. It is heavy enough that it stays exactly where you put it, and takes up a tiny bit of space on the desk.

In short, it stands tall along side its brothers in the K8RA lineup.

AND IT'S SOOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N6NKN on 2007-05-07

Having bought a P-2 a few weeks ago, and being delighted with it, I decided to buy what I now call "Big Burtha". The P-4 by K8RA. Tipping the scales at a shade over 5 lbs., it feels like it is attached to the operating desk. And ,like all the K8RA paddles it's performance and quality are outstanding. Jerry has designed a line of paddles that fit any budget, and each is a functional work of art. "Burt" my P-2 is attached to my Drake TR-4C, thru a Palstar Keyer. "Burtha' sits proudly in front of my Pro III. When my finances permit I'll be buying another K8RA paddle for my TS-930 SAT.

Other paddles may cost more, but I doubt they are any better value for dollar then the K8RA keys.

Thanks Jerry.

N6NKN
KZ5I Rating: 2007-05-20
Excellent Craftsmanship Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received the P-2 last week and I immediately was impressed by the craftsmanship and smooth operating of the P-2.

I don't use CW very much but this paddle will certainly get me back on CW much more often.

This was money well spent.
AA4MC Rating: 2007-05-16
great service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
best paddle for the price that i have tried. it has a unique way to adjust the spacing, but it works fb after i fiqured it out. it also is a very good looking paddle, especially with the rosewood paddles. now something even better than the paddle; Jerry is a awsome person to work with. not only was he quick to deliver the paddle , but he went the extra mile plus with me. i had asked for custom shaped finger pieces and when i got the paddle it had the standard shaped paddles. not only did Jerry put a rush on making me the ones i asked for he sent me spares! he is an awsome person to deal with!
aa4mc
NC1T Rating: 2007-05-15
great paddles Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently received my P2, fit, finish, customer service first class, love the rosewood paddles. My brother a non ham noticed them immediately when visiting. His response, wow. Showed him a few photos on qrz of $500 keyers and his response was, I like size and proportion of this one better. One minor problem I knew I would have is slippage have not used cw mode in 20 yrs and have very heavy fist. I found a circa 1950's rubber coaster, ultra, ultra thin and now you now cannot move the key with a hammer. I quickly got back to 15wpm send, only trouble is my receive is at about 3 hi, not Jerry's fault. May try an interface that goes through back of radio and am thinking i can send on key and receive on compputer, whatever, its great to have this work of beauty and look for me on the very high end (old novice) of all cw bands.