I manufacture and build Morse Keys
in my spare time and everyone needs a datum to start from. By using the
Dynamometer from Eliseo IK6BAK, it is so easy to ensure every key you use is
the same. Most CW operators hate others altering their key settings simply
because it took them (In some cases) an awful long time to perfect. Contact
adjustment is easy because we use feeler gauges but getting the tension
settings identical is not the same using touch alone. The senses differ
between the fingers and thumb and that is before we even think about hard
skin. All my keys are shipped with identical settings per lever but once
they arrive at their new home and tested the settings will probably be
changed and never be equal again without the use of a measuring device such
as this. Even if you do not prefer equal tensioning just how much different
is each lever? Get a Dynamometer and take the guesswork out of your key
settings. So get your favourite key out, record the measurements you prefer
and then make your other keys identical. Housed in a nice wooden box and
packed securely by Eliseo for shipping, this is one piece of equipment all
MorseKeyteers should have in their shack and I would like to thank Ray G0EML
for making me aware that such inexpensive measuring equipment was available
and to IK6BAK for his great service.
Kevin Gunstone M0AGA
Chevron Morse Keys
http://www.chevronmorsekeys.co.uk/
Tried your dynamometer to adjust my Begali
sculpture today. Very fine instrument and now I have adjust the left and
right paddle to exactly 25 gramm, much better feeling now. Every CW-OP
should have a dynamometer in his shack.
73 de Harry, DK2GZ
HSC 1008 - VHSC 112 - SHSC 50
FOC 1879
Hi Eliseo..
The dynamometer arrived safely last
week. Thank you very much. I knew it would be useful, but I didn't realise
just HOW useful it is!! It actually makes my CW more accurate, because I can
equalise the pressure on both sides of my paddle. .. Fantastic! {:o)
Tks agn, es vy 73
John EI7BA
For your memory , some pictures of my modif.
I tried to modify definitively the Bencher to get a 15 gramms of pressure.
'73, de F8EBD - Christian
Eliseo IK6BAK,
I am a small manufacturer of Morse Code Paddles (http://www.k8ra.com).
I purchased a dynamometer to test my keys. It is a
quality instrument that allows me to check for performance of the pivot
movement in the keys. I would highly recommend the device for anyone that
wants to measure lateral pressure on any device. It works perfectly for CW
Paddles. I am very pleased with the device. It is a true bargain.
I do really like the device and use it on a regular basis.
Jerry K8RA
RA Manufacturing
http://www.k8ra.com
Greetings Eliseo,
I recently purchased one of you dynamometers on Ebay.
I am in the process of designing and manufacturing Iambic paddles. This tool
has become a part of the testing/adjusting portion of that process. I
believe the even adjustment of the two paddles gives the user a favorable
first impression. In addition, it has improved my sending ability as well.
Thank you and 73,
de Tom Wynkoop-kb3krn
Salve Eliseo,
I am using the dynamometer to adjust my Begali signature, Vibroplex square
racer, and all the iambic keyers I have.
I am not the best CW operator so far, but this tool is a great help for me
because it provides a measure of the amount of pressure you need to apply to
the levers of your keyer, not only trusting your fingers feel.
I have shown this tools to my Ham Radio colleages here in Madrid, far better
CW operators than me, and very few of them knew about this useful tool.
Best 73 dr Eliseo de EA4MZ - Moises "Mo".
Eliseo ik6bak,
There are about 15 keys in my small collection. The jewel is the N2DAN
Mercury (beautiful chrome), but I enjoy using the N3ZN ZN-9A key the most (very
crisp and fast). Each key has its own personality and it's nice to be able
to switch around. The dynamometer will help to adjust all the keys for best
settings, so it will be interesting to see how it helps. I like a light
touch with close contact spacing, and normally send about 30 wpm. As an
engineer, I'm familiar with dynamometers, but it never occurred to me to use
them to balance and adjust CW keys.
73 de joe wz3b
Dear Eliseo,
It is a mirackle you can sell that instrument to that price : laquered
woodbox, hammerpainted instrument etc very very good. Have set my
paddle to 20 g, on the fingergrips, which meant 30 g on the contacts. Have
you seen the K4TWJ posthumous publication: KEYS IV .....AND MORE (The grande
finale) ?
It is on www.k4twj.com .
Vy 73 Steen oz8sw
The dynamometer arrived today in
perfect condition. I used it to adjust my favorite Italian beauties: Begali
Signature and Frattini Professional. They are better than ever!
Ciao!
73 de W3JTM Jack
Hello Eliseo,
I got one of your dynamometers. No doubt, it's a gadget - but: I use it to
put my paddle to a point to start from. The rest of adjustment is individual.
This is still in progress since I am advancing my skills. So when I try a
new adjustment, I record the old and new dynamometer reading. This is an
easy way to get the best setting. And to re-adjust whenever necessary.
Measuring is always better than guessing...
Keep on making good things!
73, Raimund DK4DM
Dear Eliseo,
I bought a dynamometer to set the pressure of the springs in the rotary dial
of an old telephone that I was repairing. The dynamometer was admired by a
friend, and I bought a couple more as gifts. It appears to be a
quality instrument.
Best wishes
Geoff
Hi dear Eliseo, I used the
dynamometer to adjust my iambic paddle to 20 grams and the results was
fantatisc. I am very happy with the results. I recommend to all hams that
have iambic paddle to have this tool.
Sasso - PY2IU
I got the Dynamometer yesterday and
I thank you for that.
After playing with my new Begali Magnetic Pro, I was able to set the paddles
to my specific need.... It was great to be able to tight the paddles a bit
more.
Great device.... I must recommend it to anyone.
73s
Rafael / NN3RP
Ciao Eliseo.
I did have a quick play with the dynamometer before I went away and came
up with a couple of good things: with the Dynamometer I was able to set spring tensions for both left and
right paddles on an iambic device, I found that equal tensions allowed me to
set the contact gaps extremely fine.
Some paddles such as the Galbraith are not as precise as others and are not
conducive to faster sending.
All keys and paddles have their mechanical limitations.
Those limitations can be optimised with careful adjustment.
One can have a paddle capable of sixty words a minute (how nice it would be
to send faultlessly at that speed, even nicer to copy) but because of
mal-adjustment will not operate at any where near that speed.
Now, you may not be able to send at sixty words a minute but if the
paddles are set up for optimum (user friendly) you can lope along at your
speed and it is so much more comfortable to do so.
It is also possible to measure and set pendulum rates on Vibroplexes and
duplicate them with some accuracy.
As for straight keys, with a little ingenuity and some home-brew adaptors it
is possible to measure some quite heavy spring tensions which are repeatable.
Set up the spring tension, and the contact gap for good comfortable sending.
If you are a die-hard CW operator who, at times, likes to use different keys
you can duplicate, well almost, the "feel" of your favourite key on others.
Then the world will think that you are a "Gun Operator" because your Morse
sending is so good.
I use the whole forearm and wrist combined with the spring tension and
contact gap British Style for better control.
I think it works.
Many years ago, when I first came on the air with a straight key, my first
contact was with the late great gun CW operator Greta, ZL2AGS.
She paid me the best compliment, "Tony my boy you have the makings of a
great fist there".
Three of four years later the sidetone oscillator of my FT-200 died and I
sent for two hours without it.
My oppos told me they could not tell the difference, I am still hoping it
was all good.
Tony, VK2ADQ, formerly ZL3DQ.
Hi Eliseo,
I have now adjusted the paddles with the Dynamometer so that they are now
both equal pressure and also set the contact gaps to be equal at 0.03mm with
a feeler gauge.
The AGA CHEVRON now feels much smoother and hopefully my cw
will also sound better. So once again many thanks for all the information on
your web site. Take care and see you on the bands again.
Ciao Ciao.
73 Peter M0CYR
Hello Eliseo,
The dynamometer is absolutely brilliant. I am finally able to adjust my
paddles perfectly and sending CW is such a pleasure now. Thank you for
making this device available.
73 Thor, TF4M ex 4W3DX, 4W6MM
Hi Eliseo
I had always believed that my Schurr Profi 2 paddles had uneven pressure one
side compared with the other. The dynamometer proves that not to be the case
so it must be my sending style! For the money, this is a quality instrument
which is reminiscent of the days when all good devices came in a proper
wooden box! It's a real treasure, I almost feel like I should be putting it
out on display!
Stephen G4SJP
Do you need one ? Click
here
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