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Reviews For: IK1OJM Mini Paddle

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : IK1OJM Mini Paddle
Reviews: 5MSRP:
Description:
Magnetic handcrafted Iambic mini-paddle with detachable palettes
Product is in production
More Info: http://web.tiscali.it/i2viu/ik1ojm/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
1555
IK1LBL Rating: 2022-11-20
A pleasure to use Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After almost 20 yrs it's my daily use paddle as i have setup the first day i get.
All others paddles rest in a box. My best purchase ever !
IK4VFD Rating: 2011-07-13
IK1OJM a genius! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use this paddle for some time (now I have the version with the new design fingerpieces) fantastic key, no maintenance required, excellent durability, fast accurate at all speeds, created by hand. medium-small size of the key, but very stable on the table.
a good purchase, unlike anything that exists in the world of paddle
rodolfo
IW0HK Rating: 2009-04-29
Fantastic ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'm a proud user of the IK1OJM Mini Paddle, i have used on my shack and during outdoor activities (Sota & Camping) with a Yaesu Ft-817. I'ts a fantastic key, easy to adjust and to trim, the perfect paddle to travel or to use at home.

Great Work Salvatore !

73 Andrea IW0HK-HB9EMK
F6EOS Rating: 2008-03-24
Incredible Mini Paddle Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Il Signore Salvatore is the " Fellini of the CW "
This Mini Paddle is wonderful . I love it !!
Thank Salvatore for this paddle very original.
Best 73 Serge F6EOS
IK0YGJ Rating: 2005-04-12
the smallest QRP / QRQ keyer available. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, being a traveler and a QRP fan, I asked to Salvatore IK1OJM (both one of the finest craftsman and an outstanding CW operator of the Italian Naval INORC club) to build a small QRP iambic magnetic paddle particulary suited for being transported easily, very small but heavy, easy to operate but capable to range in the QRQ area when in field-day or dx-pedition.
Salvatore kindly reminded me that I was asking him the impossible: all things I asked were in contradiction one-another !
But, as I was sure, after some days of silence Salvatore came up with an unbelievable handicrafted masterpiece, let me summarize:
- mini-paddle with 6x6 base
- steel base and chrome finish, for a grand total of 700 grams (small and heavy)
- removable magnetic paddles (for travel) with no clips or screws, an unique feature (I'll explain this later)
- micrometric regulations: allow operation far above the 60WPM range
- FT-8x7 styled, but colors and materials can be any (e.g. ebony paddles on chrome base)
- standard earphone jack plugged connection

What is amazing is the combination of unique features Salvatore put on this key.

It is *very* small (smallest than the Vibro Code Warrior, for example), ideal as a companion of the FT817 (like shown in the picture) since its occupied surface is one fourth (sic!) of the FT817. Yet the paddle is *quite* heavy and it is impossible to move it without kicking (literally) it, its 700 grams all-steel base with rubber feet is perfectly stable, even on the dashboard of the car.

Easily transportable: Salvatore devised an unique feature that allows, magnetically, to simply remove the paddles and put them back without any effort. You simply put the paddles near the magnetic contacts and they automatically slip in place: a must see. Amazing yet, when you operate the key the paddles seems bounded using screws or the like. This way, when traveling on airplane or car, you can store the key safely in only 6x6x5 cm, with the paddles safely put in a separate bag. The key is connected to the rig using an earphone plug, so you do not have any hanging cable while transporting it: simply build (or buy) a stereo earphone male / male cord and you are done, no soldering is required.

Again, the key is a magnetic iambic with micrometric regulations, Salvatore provides all the tools to adjust and trim it. The key is really fast, it makes you think that it is a pity to use it in QRP, where you normally range in the 25-30 WPM area. This paddle is a little gem that finds its natural comfort in the much higher area of the 45 - 60 WPM, or even more. The real advantage is that the height of the paddle is the normal one, allowing you to rest the wrist at paddles level, not higher. The key is infact enough tall to be operated with comfort, the paddles contacts feel really crisp while being not harsh to the wrist. What is also unique of this key is the fact that, normally, a QRP key must suffer such compromises (small footprint, lightweighting, small contacts allowing not crisp regulations) that you normally use it in QRS: this key is, instead, a natural QRQ one.

Now the last (but not least, hi) feature: estetically speaking, the key is a small little wonder: if you choose the black steel base on chrome contact it seems the natural companion of the FT8x7 rigs.

The only downside of this handicraft is that... it is handicrafted, so you have to wait a little for having it, but it is absolutely worth the time. Inquries may be done to Salvatore directly (ik1ojm@libero.it).