Hi all,
I've heard criticisms of the Bencher BY-series paddles over and over again
on this reflector, and honestly I don't have any idea what these critics
are talking about. Of course, I learned to send iambically on one from
the beginning. I've never used a bug, and I didn't even use a straight
key for very long.
I guess I don't hit the arms hard enough for them to feel "mushy". I
tried a hex key and it didn't do anything for me; I don't like the grossly
non-linear feel of the magnet return, which feels way too "clicky" for
me. I tried an original Mercury key -- same feel, didn't like it. I much
prefer the long spring of my BY-2, which assures that the tension is
practically constant across the gap. And I can't imagine setting the
tension so lightly that the paddle sticks and hangs up.
I haven't tried a Schurr or a Bengali, and I imagine that those are fine
paddles. To me, my BY-2 is a wonderful instrument that is finely
adjustable over the range of parameters at which I feel comfortable. I
use it every day, and I would never want to get rid of it.
I submit that those who say that the BY-series paddles are poorly designed
or lousy or plain just use a different style of keying that is not suited
to the BY-series. I feel sure that most such critics learned to send on
devices other than iambic paddles, and still use some of the old habits.
There's nothing wrong with that, but that fact doesn't make the BY-series
lousy. Admittedly I'm relatively new to CW, but I can send up to about 25
wpm effortlessly (faster than I can receive of course). I know several
people who use Bencher BY-series paddles a lot faster than that.
In any event, one's personal paddle is obviously a very personal choice.
Trying a paddle yourself beats listening to advice from a reflector any
day.
Sorry about helping to flog the dead horse...
73,
- Rob W7GH
On Fri, 16 Jun 2006 07:35:37 -0700, David A. Belsley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
The BY paddles are plain and simply not at all like a fine sports car.
They are more like an old-style Beetle (or possible a Yugo).
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