CW Morse SP4 Magnetic Iambic Double Paddle - Designed By N0SA

[@wooten1027]

It’s a great paddle for me IF it’s adjusted correctly. Took me a bit to figure out exactly adjustments for me. 3/4 turn back from full contact on both sides and then adjust the tension spring 1 full turn back from fully in. This should help a lot for those of you having issues.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you for posting! Much appreciated!

[@brianve7jyd943]

ive been practising with mine for a couple weeks now - i didnt have any trouble with extra dits or such but i did readjust it the other day to your sugestions and find it a beauty to send with now -i did notice if i wasnt paying attion when holding the paddle if my thumb or fore finger crept forward ever so little and touched the spacing adjustment - it wud put just enuff pressure on them to alter my sending on occassion - jus a thot - much obliged Sir - 73

[@K6ARK]

These things are beautiful little paddles, but I've never used one. I have heard of issues folks had with electrical contact from the levers to the jack. I believe this contact requires conductivity through the aluminum lever to the screws that hold them - at least that seemed to be the case on the older design. Oxidation of the surfaces can cause that connection to degrade over time. It would be pretty easy to design a snap on 3d printed cover. If I can get my hands on one of these for a bit, or if Larry chooses to, a cover could be a good solution.

[@thekhakihat3233]

Hey Adam, I have one of these paddles and I can send it to you to play with, etc. AA4K

[@K6ARK]

@@thekhakihat3233 appreciate that, but hold off for now. I have so little free time right now it would likely just sit for a while

[@thekhakihat3233]

@@K6ARK well… it’s sitting here too 😉. I’ve had the same issues that Charlie and others reported. The paddle was given to me, so no loss. It’s an elegant little paddle and I want to like it.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you, Adam!

[@e4949]

I too had a problem, mostly with dropped dits. Mine is an early version. I contacted CWMorse and they are sending out a new key that now has a revised circuit board and uses a silver impregnated grease compound on the screws for better contact. This is excellent customer service and I am hopeful they have resolved the issues.

[@RedSummitRF]

I agree. Excellent customer service. Sounds like it's a mix between configuring the paddle properly and possibly a need for slight improvements. Based on other comments.

[@brianumbrell4049]

I have one of the first batch. Love it and don't have any problems with extra characters. Now understand I have a very light touch and only send at 18wpm.

[@RedSummitRF]

Interesting. I think I get the problem at about the 25+wpm speed. Not sure why the speed makes a difference but it seems to.

[@Matt61702]

Thanks for the honest review, Charlie. I enjoy CW Morse’s other products, but I think this one is not ready for prime time yet. I had issues with mine as well. I sent CW Morse a message and they tried to help troubleshoot and eventually exchanged my paddle for a new one. The new one they sent me had the same issues - intermittent sending problems similar to what you describe. Thinking it was just something I was doing wrong, I sent the paddle to a friend who is an extremely accomplished CW op. He had the same issues. When I got it back I finally got rid of it once and for all. I will not be purchasing it again until they get the problems solved. The design is electrically sound and probing with a continuity tester revealed that everything was OK. In practical use though it’s a dud, something is mechanically wrong with the design.

[@RedSummitRF]

Good to know. I think CW Morse is really trying hard to make this right. Wow, twice for you - two different paddles, though.

[@qrplife]

Regarding the agility, this key has a VERY light action. When operating in the field it's easy to send inadvertently while handling the key, so I prefer to use it with a stable operating position. When I'm really roughing it, it's nice to have a paddle you have to slap around a bit. I wish this paddle had the magnetic mounting option offered on other CW Morse keys. With the light action you could key easily without the magnets slipping. I've had no electrical problems with this key.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Matt - thanks and I agree about the magnetic mount. Glad you had no issues with it!

[@k8drtqrp]

I have been radio inactive the last few months. Quite busy around here. I own the N0SA version. I have yet to order the CWMorse version. I do like them. Thank you for the comparison Charlie! 72

[@RedSummitRF]

Busy can slow down ham radio for sure. Hope you can find the time to enjoy. Yes, the N0SA's are quite nice. Glad you like yours.

[@Zach-K7FC]

I think your text regarding the weight classes might have the < and > signs backwards. Thanks for making your videos.

[@RedSummitRF]

Indeed! Good catch. Thanks for letting me know.

[@AA0Z]

A few points. 1) I sent an email to cwmorse asking if they had heard of any issues sending extra dits and dahs with this paddle and haven't received a reply back. This was a month ago. 2) I've used this paddle on probably a dozen activations and boy did it screw my head up on my sending habits!!! I thought I was a horrible sender and would come home and practice over and over on another key with no issues. I thought my timing was off but couldn't understand why I was having so many issues in the field until Red said he was having the same issue. Glad it wasn't just me now (or maybe is still is??? 🙂). 3) This key has now become a backup key for me. I wanted to like this paddle, but with the issues I experienced, I just couldn't use it as a primary key.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you for this information, Kyle. Much appreciated.

[@AA0Z]

@@RedSummitRF OK...update on this key. I contacted CW Morse and they sent me a new key after I explained the old key was missing dits or just malfunctioning. After receiving that key, I noticed the same thing happening. Missing dits when connected to my KX3. I complained about it on my Twitter and someone said they pulled the screws from the paddle arms that make contact with the center post and filed them down. I figured it wouldn't hurt and it actually solved my problem. Now when I make contact with the center post, I really feel like it's making good contact. I guess there was enough of a burr on the end of the screws that it wasn't making good contact with the center post.

[@n4jaw]

Charlie, nice to hear but also sad to hear others are having issues with sending unwanted characters while holding paddle, I was hoping it was only me. I really live this key. Its is small, very agile, and easy to hold in my chubby fingers. Kyle @AA0Z would be interested if and what type of response you get from Joseph Sr.

[@RedSummitRF]

CW Morse is doing an excellent job responding to those with issues. Confirming my A grade I gave them was accurate. An excellent company providing a fix to those with issues.

[@MairinGoBragh]

oh neat, a mag tension version. I have the Outdoor Paddle with steel base. My one gripe with it is that it's spring tension and not mag tension. I might have to look into getting another paddle now. LOL

[@RedSummitRF]

BE careful - you could end up like me, with too many paddles. lol

[@brianve7jyd943]

Mornin Charlie - well dang i ordered one earlier this week --- i had seen a comment or 2 about the extra dits or dahs -- i was lucky enuff to contact 2 operators that have them and it was 50-50 - one said yes one said no - however the one who was having the extra 's sent said he felt it was because he was a heavey fist sender - so i think it depends on ur sending style but ill let you know how it goes when i get mine - 73 and thaks for review it

[@RedSummitRF]

Very well could be that. I think another contributor to the comments made that observation too. Thank you!

[@brianve7jyd943]

@@RedSummitRF mornin Charlie - well i been using tis paddle in my shack fer over 6 months and i have no problem with it - has worked well enuff i bought asecond one as a spare - i have 2 big dogs and i did notice on occassion sum dog hair in them but not affecting them so i spose dirt getting in cud be a problem depending how u treat it -- i bought a cheap pair of those ladies thin knit gloves - cut a finger off and slid it over the paddle - doesnt effect operation but solved the problem of dog hair and prolly wudwork for dirt period -- hope this helps 73 dit dit

[@thuff3207]

I like the key and I have had similar problems with the key. I really like the size but I have stopped using it.

[@RedSummitRF]

Interesting that you have had similar problems. It's a shame you aren't using it but it's understandable.

[@ajcoelho]

Hey Red, I picked one of these up and really like it. They put me on the waiting list and it only took a couple of days before it was shipped. Thanks for the review, 73 WX1S

[@RedSummitRF]

Great! . . . and how has it been working out for you a month later? Just curious.

[@ajcoelho]

Still using it although I think I'm going to try the Te-Ne-Ke. I activated Mount Graylock yesterday with N4AAJ and he let me try his. Very easy to use. 73, Fred@@RedSummitRF

[@RedSummitRF]

@@ajcoelhoI like the Te-Ne-Ke. It's a great option for SOTA. I've been very disappointed that I haven't been able to hear N4AAJ on any of his activations yet. Feeling a little jealous 😃

[@ajcoelho]

Well, don't feel bad. I couldn't hear Scott on most of his summits in ME but his signal improved as he headed into NH and I could hear him mostly via ground wave. I ran into him by chance on Wildcat W1/HA-060 and I have now had a chance to activate 2 summits with him. His signal towards AZ should improve as he heads south. The bands can't be dead forever.@@RedSummitRF

[@KU9L]

My SP4 just came in the mail today. I do not have any info yet about the extra dits yet, but I will give it a try tomorrow on my POTA activation. Cheers, Davey - KU9L

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Davey - just following up. How has that SP4 been working for you?

[@KU9L]

@@RedSummitRF it has done very well, coming back from 20+ years of non-activity is hard for arthritic hands, but thanks to SOTA/POTA hunting I can now send you to 15 wpm & for the first time listen slightly faster than I can send ... But it is just a matter of timing more than anything, I turn up the speed a little faster each month. With the SP4 I prefer holding it in my left hand, never did that in the old days, but I can steady it better than with the weighted base I bought. I have no problem with extra fits otherwise. I do have to hold my left hand slightly back so I do not send extra characters accidentally with the webbing of my hand as I grip the key. I like the SP4 better than the other US Morse keys I bought, but have not tried the truck yet if cutting the spring down so as to tame the key as they were showing on some YT channels. Clearing Customs is my German key that I ordered in early July, I think you reviewed it already, everyone says I will like it too! Cheers & keep up the good work! Davey - KU9L

[@Bill-HRT]

Charlie! Thanks for the review. You do a very thorough, methodical review that compares paddles fairly. I always appreciate your honest approach. 73 de Bill

[@RedSummitRF]

I appreciate that, Bill!

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Definitely a nicely designed paddle. As for the extra dits or dahs, I'm curious what others will be saying about that. Never a good thing. 73!

[@RedSummitRF]

From what I'm reading in the comments, some have solved the problem by adjusting the paddles, but the suggested adjustments aren't where I like my paddles. CW Morse is doing a great job with customer service and sending out improved paddles to those having problems. I think they have a fix and everybody is happy.

[@hamshackinabag]

The extra characters might have something do with the screws on top. I received a small rf burn from them while holding the key and sending via a memory message.

[@ClaudioMenzani]

today I had exactly the same problems as you during an activation. during transmission the key burned between the fingers and also emitted unwanted signals… IK5VYZ

[@RedSummitRF]

hmmm - now this is a really interesting observation. I wish I still had the one I barrowed to test out that theory. Although it sounds difficult to reproduce.

[@hamshackinabag]

@@RedSummitRF The two screws and pins closest to the cable end. Holding it kinda tight in a closed grip, while the memory keyer was in a loop. Sent CQ POTA about 4 times. IC-705, no external battery and the G Gabil antenna system tuned to 20 meters.

[@ai5dd]

I have this key, I believe I had one of the first runs. My key sometimes stops or hangs between dits or dahs. I believe it has something to do with how I hold it. Anyone have any ideas on this? I just finished watching this review, mine never got un-wanted dits or dahs, just missing them like it quits working or lags.

[@Matt61702]

Yes, I had this exact issue with intermittent sending. I had two of the first runs of this and they both had the same problem. It seems that CW Morse has now gone to the other extreme… rather than not sending when wanted it sends when unwanted. I think this must be some mechanical gremlins in the design. It simply needs more thorough testing and refinement. I’m sure using dissimilar metals like Adam mentions doesn’t help.

[@Matt61702]

And it’s not just you. It also happened to me on two different SP4 paddles and it also happened for the two other hams I asked to try the paddle.

[@ai5dd]

@@Matt61702 I looked at my key and saw the magnet adjustment hole was totally flush with the adjustment screw like it was tightened to the maximum. I brought it out some like the other tab that adjusts the contact and it helped some. Not sure if this is the answer.

[@Matt61702]

@@ai5dd I tried all adjustments and really tried to give it a chance, both times. I reflowed the cable connections, polished the contact surfaces, experimented with all variations of possible adjustments. I could never totally get rid of the intermittent keying issues. Hopefully they can get it working well as it is a nice size and weight, but I’m not interested in experimenting with my money on this paddle any more. I leave everyone with this observation: of all the KZbin and other social media personalities you have seen using this SP4 paddle…. How many of them are still using it a month later? I haven’t seen anyone keep using this paddle after they have some time with it, it just quietly goes away never to be seen again.

[@ai5dd]

@@Matt61702 Mine works flawlessly when the radio first turns on for about 10-15 minutes and gradually it will start to act up. I'm wondering if there is something to do with stray RF building up and interfering with the magnet.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Good good morning Mr Charly 73 from kb2uew

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi there. Thanks again for say hi!

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Any time I like your videos very instructive and valiosos for the New community Ham radio operator I think you best mentor for me generation the radio operator thanks Charlie God bless you

[@N2AKJ]

I have that key and I got it before it was even put out on the website I have number 2 that was produced by cw morse and I have it on a steel base

[@RedSummitRF]

Nice! Thanks for visiting the channel and contributing with your comment.

[@KX8DRA]

“Morse” One syllable. Not “morris”

[@RedSummitRF]

A very bad habit of mine I can't seem to kick - also sodder instead of solder. Thank you for the reminder.

[@davidabraham1969]

@@RedSummitRF , most people do it. Shouldn’t have said anything. Sorry