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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
K8AND Rating: 2007-05-06
CW MADE FUN AGAIN!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently aquired a P-2 as a birthday present from my brother K8ZK and I must admit I am truly impressed with the workmanship and overall ease of usage of the P-2. I have used a straight key for many years at my home station for occasional CW contacts. I have an hf radio with a built in Keyer so I figured I'd make use of it... The P-2 Paddles really have enhanced my enjoyement of sending cw. The P-2 is built SOLID AS A ROCK and is a beautiful addition to anyone's shack who enjoys morse code.
I was impressed how well I was able to send cw with the K8RA P-2 paddles when I used them for the first time. Sending CW has never seemed smoother to me!!! I have been a ham for 16 years and the K8RA P-2 will be the one and only Paddle I'll ever want to use. Jerry was very responsive to ALL of my emails and he really takes pride in his paddles. He offers such a variety of paddles and the prices are extremely fair considering what some of the commercially made paddles go for.

I really can't say enough about my P-2. Remember Jerry offers a thirty day money back gurantee so if you don't have cw paddles and in the market for them I'd strongly recommend the ones made from K8RA!!! You simply can not go wrong.

Thanks again Jerry for making such a wonderful paddle for us CW operators-still one of the greatest modes of operation on amateur radio

73 de Andy K8AND
W8ZO Rating: 2007-04-22
PERFECTION! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have been using the K8RA paddle for a couple of hundred contacts. This absolutely, positively is the BEST paddle I have ever used, and I have used them ALL! I got the paddle with an extra heavy base for my extra heavy fist, and this is one paddle I don't have to chase around the desk. The feel is ultra smooth and precise. Esthetically, it is a magnificient work of art. Mr. Pittenger has created a masterpiece that is the ultimate in quality, appearance, and performance regardless of price. This is one piece of radio equipment i can recommend to my frends without reservation!
BOOKERGLOVERN5ARA Rating: 2007-03-30
A pleasure to use Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well Jerry, it's been a year with the P-2. Hard to believe. Where do the time go? I am about 40% cw and 60% sideband, leaning more towards the cw and psk modes every day now..

The P-2 has never left my desk. The Begali Simplex Mono I have ( a beautiful key in it's own) has only been used once and is in storage.. not because it is less a key than yours Jerry, I just really like the P-2.

The tax man is giving back some of my earnings so look for my order of the P-4 in short time. Unless I go with the Begali Magnetic Classic?

I have one Begali, I do want the P4 so look for the order soon. May even have u make the cable, that would be nice.

The P-2 keeps it's adjustments. I keep it on the loose side. Looking forward to another one of yours keys.

73
booker
K8ZK Rating: 2007-03-29
Nice paddle at a value price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I finally decided to get back into CW after many years. I tried some of the "big name" paddles at a local hamfest, but they just did not have a solid feel. They were also fairly expensive.

After reading the reviews and posts about the K8RA keys, I decided to order one (the P-2). I am very glad that I did.

• The key is very heavy, and has a nice solid and crisp feel compared to the other keys that I tried. This is a very subjective opinion. I would encourage folks to try several keys hands on if possible.
• Jerry was very quick and responsive to my inquiries. I ordered the key on a Friday, and I had it on Monday. Quite impressive.
• The key is beautiful. My wife usually does not like all of the wires and radio gizmos, but she immediately commented on how nice it looks on my desk.
• It is a value. I am pleased to own an instrument made by hand by a fellow amateur radio operator here in the states. It is smooth enough to help me to improve my code, but not so expensive that I will panic if I drop it.
• It appears that Jerry has improved the design over time (e.g. the ball bearings and knurled adjustments).
• There may be higher end or more precise paddles out there, but MY skills will never exceed what this paddle can do. It is a good fit for me. Paired with a PicoKeyer, I believe it is a very cost effective yet classy CW setup.

73 – Dave
VE2CE Rating: 2007-03-08
Very nice, precise and beautiful ... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Good machine, precise, easy to adjust. I have received my paddle in few days, very nice. He responds to me rapidly. top quality !! I have P-2jr qrp !! I recommend this paddle. Thanks Jerry !! François VE2CE in Québec .
K1MA Rating: 2007-03-01
Best Paddles ever. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Because I'm an amplifier junkie, I've followed Jerry's articles for years. Visiting his wonderful web site, I saw "The Paddles". Ordered a P4 straight away, and it arrived yesterday. Fit and finish, weight and smoothness defy expectations. It is, hands down, the coolest...and it's a complete joy to use. Its mass equals presence, and after you get used to the best set of paddles you've ever used, then there's the eye appeal. Simply put, stunning. As amateur radio progresses, its tougher and tougher to find a product that fits a need and doesn't come with a truckload of setup and learning issues. This product is an exception..it works the way you key. My guess is that if you try this keyer,you won't look back!
WV1K Rating: 2007-02-23
Well made and well packed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received my P-4, packed even better than a Vibroplex which isn't going to move either ! Is that possible ? Sure. Jerry used about 10 distinct pieces of bubble wrap in his method.

This key is very nice and has a more sure feel than what I was using for 15 years. It's polished to a gold-like finish.

Jerry's mechanism assures the operator that unlike what I was using, if my hand slips (and it often does) that the return trip won't knock the paddles at an angle to each other.

In fact, now I can remove the little Duck brand anti slide piece for my main position as this five pounder isn't going anywhere.

The only previous use I had for the comment of "five pounders" was discussing Revolutionary War cannons...

So like cannons there has, in fact, been progress in paddles since the most popular one came out.
KN8N Rating: 2007-02-10
P4 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As far as I am concerned, this paddle is the top-of-the-line! I just received mine yesterday and I couldn't wait to get it "on the air". The feel is magnificant, the finish is remarkable and the craftsmanship is first class. This is the first paddle I've ever used that doesn't slide around the desk.

If you are in the market for a new paddle, look no further - you'll be glad you purchased from Jerry.
WD0EDO Rating: 2007-02-09
Perrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First class craftsmanship with a finish that you have to see to believe. The smooth feel of the P2 will only make your CW sound better. Your e-mails will always be answered,day or night. Delivery just as promised. What more could a person ask for!

Thanks Jerry
W2DZ Rating: 2007-01-31
A Work of Art... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have just received my P3 from Jerry today and have to say that this key is a work of art. I can't give much practical experience but, it feels much better than the Bencher that it replaced. It has been a long time since being active on CW and I'm looking forward to using it.

Another plus is that my wife even likes the looks, so if it doesn't get used she'd love to put it on display.

One thing that I did do right after receiving the key, was to figure out how to keep the supplied hex key from getting lost. I drilled a hole with a 5/64 bit in the center rubber foot, horizontal to the base-plate from back to front and then slipped the hex key into that hole. The hole is a little under-size for the hex key and holds it by friction. You may need to sand the foot down a bit if the key is so tight that it causes the key to wobble.