Portable morse key

[M0ggk]

Hi all
         Ok we must all have a favourite, so what is your favourite portable morse key and why?


Dave M0GGK

[IZ5ZCO]

Palm Radio Mini Paddle: it's very slight and the magnet is very useful...

It was published in SPRAT in 1997 as The Mini-E-Bug:

There is a special feature of this keyer for portable use: it is probably the only keyer in the world that gives protection to the sensitive paddles, because they can be shoved into the cabinet when the keyer is not in use. This seemed important for rough outdoor operation and trasportation.

[sm5mek]

I am using my homebuildt "knife", it is an one armed manipulator with the contacts on the outside. Light and easy to pack on the field equipment.

[m3KXZ]

Dave, my favourite was the Palm Mini paddle when I was paddling. But my new favourite my far now that I'm all straight key is the Racal leg strap key that I have. So easy to use and it's weatherproof so I don't worry about the weather and the sea! There are two types - the older Racal one for the Clansman set, and the one I have which is an updated version, but again mil surplus. All I had to do was open it up to remove the existing cable and replace it with figure 8 cable and 3.5mm mono jack plug.

73
Pete M3KXZ
GQRP 11767
SKCC 10219

[GM0LVI]

Mine's a tiny Paddlette KP-4. It weighs just 1.7oz measures 1x1.5 inches and has two memories. The paddles are on springy brass and it takes a little  getting used to if you are used to rigid paddles. It also has a magnetic leg strap.
From what I can glean on the www Paddlette don't make the memory version any more which is a bit of a shame.

[UA9OTW]

I like Palm Radio MP. Fantastic Mini Paddle.

[m3KXZ]

Just wanted to post a picture of my key so you all know what it looks like. This is the Racal leg strap one.  I paid £18 + £6 p&p through an ebay seller. It was still boxed, and he has more but I haven't been able to get hold of him recently. Although I love my Palm Mini Paddle, I worry about it getting damaged by salt water, rain etc. This Racal key I don't worry about at all!

[M0ggk]

Hi pete
            how does it feel to use ? And as you have the FT-817 like me did you find a 3.5mm plug easy to ?

regards Dave M0GGK

[G0BVZ]

#1 Favourite key for portable: 1939 vintage military KEYWT8AMPMK2 mounted on steel block.  Cheap, strong, reliable. Can be used to drive tent pegs in emergency.

#2 Favourite key for portable: 1950s vintage ex- Czech military .  Cheap, strong, reliable. Internal switch gear removed and replaced by single wire so key can be adjusted with cover up, quicker in wild.

Favourite paddles for portable -not that I've used a keyer for a long time: old Hi Mound HK701 mounted on steel block. Beat up, bright parts rusty & pitted, frequent adjustment needed but basically bomb proof. I don't think my Bencher paddles would survive long in the wild..... These have.

Vic

[ve3lyx]

I make my own keys. Nothing stays in your mitt like a wooden key.
Don

[IZ5ZCO]

I make my own keys. Nothing stays in your mitt like a wooden key.
Don

Marvellous!

[YV5EN]

I like Palm Radio too specially because of its precision, adjustment capabilities and its heavy fixation by magnets but I have another one I like very much which is a homemade iambic padle:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5fafqrLwN4" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5fafqrLwN4</a>

[KQ8X]

I like this one simply because it's what I have and it works.  Would love to have a Begali though.

[IV3DSO]

I bought a short time ago this little guy on a Chinese website for $ 30 ... for what I paid goes very well and is also very well built. It is applied to the side dell'817 with its support. I being left-handed I had to make a small change to use it. HI !!!