I've had the iambic presentation since 80.
I initally had the original Bencher paddles but they were
kinda like a bondage device to me in that I would have
them disassemble themselves in the middle of a QSO &
then fold around my thumb.
I tried my dad's old vibroplex but I really liked the clean
CW iambic so being from New England & following the
reputation of Vibroplex, went with their Iambic version.
I found I still slapped the paddles around too much
although it's 'impossible' for the paddles to come apart.
Even though the keyer weighs enough for the
reasonable man to be satisfied with, I mounted it on
about 4 pounds of lead sloped at an angle so it won't
jiggle when I use it. Took lead shot for reloading my
shotgun, melted it in a throw-away pan & let it cool at a
"tipped" angle. Mounted the key on this round/sloped
chunk of lead (which I put rubber feet on) & have
used it for years this way. ( I bolted it to the lead where
the original feet went).
The key is at a 7-8 degree angle with the paddles
sloping downward. To bring the plastic paddle to the
right elevation, I loosened the screws holding the lexan
& angled the paddles downward where they are at the
perfect height for my fingers.
I've changed nothing in 22 years except the rare re-
adjustment as I bump the key.
I use a curtis 8034 (I think that's what it is) in a
homebrew keyer. I might like to have a memory function
nowadays but don't think my chip offers that. I've tried
many different chips including the logic in the corsair &
nothing beats the ease of the curtis for accuracy &
efficency.
Cheers,
KA1J
As a result, I have a key perfect for mobile or my Black
Belt fist, whichever comes first.
Gary
Gary Smith
http://musician.dyndns.org
Most of us know how to say nothing--few of us know
when.
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