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Reviews For: Ham Key Iambic paddle

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Ham Key Iambic paddle
Reviews: 11MSRP:
Description:
Ham Radio Center St Louis, MO
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15114.5
AC7AC Rating: 2023-04-01
GREAT after >50 YEARS Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought Hamkey paddles (without the base) to build into my 1960s homebrew CMOS Accukeyer. They have always felt good and worked very well. I use them alongside my E.F. Johnson Speed-X bug (ca 1950) and WWII J-38 "Hand Pump" straight key. I also have and use an old magnetic Scotia Paddle that is probably as old as the Hamkey paddles (s/n 1429) although I bought it much later at an auction. I find the HamKey paddles just as smooth and easy to use as Scotia. My normal CW speeds are between 20 and 30 wpm.




W9AC Rating: 2021-11-01
Equal to Brown Brothers BTL-A Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I recently acquired a NOS HamKey HK-1 paddle in its original box. The reason for the purchase actually dates back to my high school junior year in 1976. I was told by members of our club that the Brown Brothers BTL-A was superior to the HK-1.

During the mid-'70s, there were very few iambic paddle choices available. I was initially interested in a HAL FYO iambic but HAL had just ceased production (years later, the FYO became the Bencher BY-1).

I succumbed to the club's advice and purchased the Brown BTL-A. I still have and use it to this day. Both paddles have silver contacts.

The main issue from club members was their perception that the HK-1's stamped arm pivots cause intermittent continuity when the contacts are closed. But, that's impossible. The paddle arms are wired directly to the paddle's binding posts. This limits minimum spring tension but what's often ignored is that the BTL-A has the same tension limitation. Instead of a pivot assembly, the BTL-A uses leaf springs and even when the main spring is adjusted for absolute minimum tension, the leaf springs become the limiting factor.

The HK-1 and BTL-A are fine iambic paddles. I only wish I had not waited 45 years to discover the truth about the HK-1.

Paul, W9AC
NY7Q Rating: 2013-07-28
IT'S A KEY! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
SURE LOOKS LIKE A KEY WITH PADDLE LIKE FINGER PIECES.
K4TIN Rating: 2013-07-27
Great Paddle Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Others have pointed out it's low cost and utility, and they are quite right. I like the spacing between the finger pieces. They're inside the levers, placing them close together. Seems to fit me best.
AA3K Rating: 2011-04-10
Gets the job done Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I picked this up over 10 years ago but don't use it a lot. I actually let the computer or rig's memory send most of the CW I do. It is not a high end key but I assume the origianl price - and definitely what I paid for it - reflect that. Some vertical slop in the arms since the hinges are stampped to fit around a post. The base slides though that may be a function of the rubber feet having dried up a bit. But it holds its settings and gets the rig to send dots and dashes when I ask it to.
XE1UFO Rating: 2009-08-06
GREAT KEY Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a great little key, and can still be found from time to time in the flea markets. Easy to adjust, great feel.
W4UTI Rating: 2009-07-28
So nice! So inexpensive Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I know! I know! It isn't expensive, and parts of it are made of plastic, but it works GREAT! Smooth, stable, and easily adjustable. Yes, if you hit it hard enough, it will move on the table, but if you want to hit something, get a punching bag. This will let you send nice CW with a light, finger-tip touch. Before you spend hundreds of dollars on a set of paddles, check this model.
NZ0T Rating: 2009-01-28
Good paddle Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This was my first paddle bought in the early 80's. It holds it's settings well and is well made. It's not nearly as smooth as my Bencher or Black Widow but works fine for me at my usual 20 - 25 WPM.
N4MJG Rating: 2007-10-21
Works Great ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I brought mine from ebay can't remember how much i gave for,but it really works great for me.but too lazy to do cw plus i'm so rusty need to go back do more code ! or i'll stay rusty forever hihi !! other than that works i hopeing for....


73
Jackie
KG4ORX
WEBSITE http://webpages.charter.net/kg4orx/
W0CKI Rating: 2007-10-21
I keep going back Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have tried others but keep going back to the Ham Key. I bought it new,how many years ago, I can't remember. Still works great.