Paddle Keys for Newcomers and Review of MK-701 Budget Model

[@dubliner1100]

Thank you Sir, I love the patience and gentleness in your presentations. I could never manage morse code in spite of my late father’s efforts to teach me as a young man, he was a signals man in the Irish army during WWII and was very proud of his ‘signature’ now in my 70s thanks to your videos I might try my hand at it again and maybe my Dad will look down and help!!

[@watersstanton]

Hi Anthony, great to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@20Hikecdt23]

Thank-you sir. I am an American and live in Texas. I am considering taking up CW. What a fascinating thing to do. Thank you again.

[@watersstanton]

Best of luck!

[@Tommyr]

I just got a paddle from CWmorse here in the states. It's a really nice paddle key and works great. And their prices are very reasonable and shipping is fast! Thanks for another great video Peter!

[@kengrey7263]

I was taught CW at 25wpm with a good old up-down key and you did need regular rests. Now it would probably give me RSI in my old age. For the last 30+ years I have used a paddle, owning two, one being the exact Vibroplex brass one in your video. It is now time for a new one and I will be ordering a Vibroplex VP 1 DLX from W&S in a couple of weeks. Having tried one it suits my keying which is very similar to your use of "squeeze" in CQs. Thanks Peter. 73 G3WNR

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Ken. 73 Peter

[@paul-c7541]

I've just got back into CW, although I'm rusty, it has brought all the fun back ,especially on a QRP pixie, I'd forgotten how much fun QRP -CW is.

[@cabe_bedlam]

Thanks for the video! I've been looking to learn CW and the MK-701 has come up in searches for used equipment. Explaining the differences (especially Iambic!) was invaluable in helping me make a choice. 73

[@watersstanton]

Glad I could help!

[@William-u7k]

Great video. I took my one and only code test in 1980 for my general. Then a year later written for advanced. No extra rating because I had no desire to do 20 wpm. In 2006 I let my license expire and just recently took written tests to get back in the hobby. One factor for getting back in was that no cw was required. Now I have my extra and find myself wanting to get into cw. Ironic. This video was perfect to explain how the paddle keys work. Thanks!

[@watersstanton]

Good to hear from you and glad the video helped.

[@mikemiles3068]

Great video and very strange that you posted it today🤔 Last night I decided to get back into CW after a 25 year absence. This morning I realized that I had no idea where my paddle or straight key were packed so with some digging around and found them both and I have some cleaning to do. The old straight key is a a 1940 J37 military key and I picked up the paddle in the late 1970’s and it has no marking or name on it but works quite well. Thanks for the video❗️

[@brian.7966]

That's whats happened to me, spooky.

[@1337flite]

I think my start in amateur radio has been very well timed - you're covering many of the concepts and kit that I am interested at more or less the same time I need the info. I'm just starting to try and learn morse - and select a paddle/key. Thanks for all your videos - and your excellent timing !!!!!

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear! 73 Peter

[@ouijim]

CW MORSE KEYS are good and much less expensive. Daughter purchased a BEGALI (Pearl) (Indescribable) as gift. ; )

[@davem0udb]

Thanks Peter, another great video simply explaining how the paddle key works

[@brendanhynes473]

Many thanks for educating me once more

[@eminusipi]

I have a Bencher BY-1 that I bought years ago and it has a heavy steel base that doesn't walk and silicone baking sheet makes it even more stable. I recently acquired a Kent paddle that is more attractive with the brass but no more functional. You can't go wrong with either.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MrDbone75]

Good Tuesday evening to you sir from Wellington Somerset

[@1oldtexan922]

thanks, I needed this!

[@paulhastings3109]

Thanks looking for a newer keyer but I live in the US KQ4CD Paul ⚓️

[@W4BIN]

I practiced iambic keying for a full year with a portable key+keyer chip+speaker (MFJ) taking it with me everywhere I went, I practiced every letter, I practiced every number, I practiced every "Q" sign and I practiced every pro-sign. It is the best way and the only way to send all day without fatigue and to send over 35 wmp. (many HAMs can send at 65 wmp, a few up to 90+ wpm iambically) Most modern transceiver have an iambic "keyer chip" and I have never found one that was the type "A", they have ALL been type "B" the type preferred by most high sped operators. The test is that I cannot send the letter"C" on a type "A" keyer. Using iambic keying changes much of your sending to come from your subconscious, I send a letter to my arm (mentally) and my "muscle memory" sends out the elements. GL Ron W4BIN

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Roland. Very interesting. 73 Peter

[@Gronicle1]

Thanks for the video. I'm new to the hobby and your info is helpful. Regards...

[@watersstanton]

Welcome!

[@nr3rful]

Still like and use my 1970 `speed key` or `bug`

[@stedogue]

Hi im extremely new to morse so forgive my silly questions if i was to buy the mk 701 would i need any other equipment to make it work with my ftdx10, i was looking at how easy it looked when you was using the blue keying unit because it actually determined the length of the dots and dashes so basically i think thats the keying unit i would like to buy, thanks in advance.

[@watersstanton]

The transceiver has all the electronics built in so all you need to do is to plug in a paddle key. 73 Peter.

[@stedogue]

@@watersstanton thanks Peter, I really appreciate your time 73 for now👍

[@abbasyahiaoui8401]

Thank you.know i understand

[@watersstanton]

You're welcome

[@dongjuang4196]

Morse keys nowadays are unreasonably expensive. Being just a piece of metal they cost sometimes as as half of Yaesu FT 891 transceiver. That I can't explain. p.s. Thanks for the review, I'm considering buying MK-701

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing

[@granitebuilt5836]

Thanks for the video. I would Iike to eventually get a paddle key to get into cw however I'm aware one can spend hundreds on a paddle key and I can't justify those prices for the amount of time that I would likely use it.

[@mateuszk3210]

Hi Peter, thanks for the video. I am a beginner still about to take my exam, but i am interested in QRP SOTA with low weight setup. I am listening and trying practice mode on truSDX. Got cheap dual paddle off ebay but it feels inconsistent. Do you have any recommendations on small affordable paddle for beginners that is below 80 euro price but is slightly better quality than the 3d printed one i got ? Thanks in advance!

[@watersstanton]

Unfortunately good paddle keys are not cheap. Used market is the best route.

[@mateuszk3210]

@@watersstanton Ended up getting BaMaTech TP3, I am happy with it.

[@G7VFY]

What I would like to see is a video showing the ICOM AH-705 being use with other radios, including non-icom ones. I can buy an pocket autotuner, assembled, from China that will work with any, QRP power level radio, so I am not in a rush to buy a £300, that does not.

[@wshanney]

None of the very high speed ops use iambic keying. Many of us find the extra complexity doesn't save much. Great video...W6QR

[@W4BIN]

I disagree, I have known several 50, 55 and 60 wpm operators and 100% employed true iambic sending. Ron W4BIN

[@rudidraufganger7448]

Looking forward to learning Morse even if i only manage 3-4 wpm im certain other operators will be patient, in the next few days im going to be practicing sending @ 2 and reading at 2 , any advice anyone.

[@180mph9]

Thank you

[@mauriciorivasvarela4482]

I have a schurr paddle key, hand made in germany and a bencher Greetings from Chile CE 2jxo

[@andrewgardner7104]

here comes the bride, like it, can you remember any more like that. Andy.

[@watersstanton]

Beethoven 5th Symphony dit dit dit dah …_ V.

[@AG-cg7lk]

Would have helped if you'd reduced the word/m rate to something sensible. Pretty sure your S was 6 dits, at least that's how it sounds on the video.

[@watersstanton]

The speed was my normal rate - sorry

[@OneAndDone5150]

I haven’t used Morse code for decades since in the military.

[@reganapparel]

“Now, here’s a tip.” Proceeds to show us a “tip.” -.. --- ..- -... .-.. . / . -. - . -. -.. .-. . / .-.

[@ojjenkins7110]

Hi G3 Olde Junque Vendor from KØ Olde Junque

[@RosssRoyce]

Your keys are very dusty!

[@watersstanton]

Just like me!