I find the KX1 paddle nice to use, but as I said I am *not* picky about the sort of key I use.
That said, the "feel" of any paddles I use is actually more important than the feel of a mechanical key, probably because paddles are operated with the fingers (instead or rolling one's whole hand on a bug or rocking ones entire forearm with a straight key). My *only* complaint about the KX1 paddles is the same complaint I have about every Elecraft rig - there's no keyer mode that lets me make my own dashes. I would greatly enjoy a keyer mode that spits out dits automatically with one paddle and then allows me to make dashes with the other paddle manually. Right now, if I want to go portable with any of the rigs I must either haul a straight key with me (bugs don't travel well) or live with the keyer. You are lucky, Phil, to have a key that travels well with you. In that case I'd take it along. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- OK, now -- hijacking this topic to ask a question of KX1 users... I bought the paddle key attachment for my KX1 but I have not installed it yet. I seem to prefer using my Begali key with my KX1. The attached KX1 paddle seems like a great feature for hiking in the mountains where the weight of the Begali may become an issue. But, I doubt that hiking with a KX1 is in my future. I hike with my wife and the mere idea of having some electronic gismo with me is against her ideas for being up in the Cascades. So, I am now leaning on not installing the attached paddle set. Unless someone here has other good ideas for why it is useful. I have operated the KX1 in a portable location on a picnic table in a park but the Begali is not a problem in that situation. Actually, the last time I did that I forgot the Begali and used my Bencher from my truck mobile rig. Any good reason to keep and install the KX1 attached paddle? 73, phil, K7PEH ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html