Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
Hi All, At Dayton a few weeks ago I got to test drive a number of Tony's paddles. I was walking around with my friend Jay, W5JAY, who knows Tony very well. We spent a fair amount of time chatting, and while Jay and Tony were discussing various things, I spent a good bit of time trying out various models. I also dropped back by a few more times to give most of his paddles a 2nd and 3rd look. Now, the last thing I need is another paddle, but I must admit I was sorely tempted. I pretty much concluded that Tony's paddles are, for the money, about as good as you will find. I, too, was very impressed with his vertical paddle in particular. Some of you may know that I am something of a Begali paddle fan, and I own several different models--too many! However, to me, they are still the best you can buy. Two Begali paddles I own--the Sculpture and the Limited Edition Graciella--are my absolute favorites of all the paddles I have ever used. Problem is, most Begali paddles are fairly expensive. The workmanship undoubtedly justifies the price, but they are expensive nonetheless. Begali had several new paddles on display at Dayton, and all were most impressive. It's just all quality stuff! One new paddle of his was most impressive because, not only did it have great feel, but it was one of his lesser priced models. I think it was called the Expedition, and it was under $300. It wasn't quite as glamorous as most of Piero's other paddles, but a very nice looking paddle to be sure. I don't even see that model on his website yet, so it must really be that new. Picking a good paddle is a very personal thing. What feels great to one person may not feel that great to another. Accordingly, I won't dwell on what I think is mandatory for a paddle to be really considered to be a good one. I would suggest that anyone interested in buying a new paddle take a look at the series of articles in QST a while back authored by Bruce Prior, N7RR. Bruce did a great job of describing, in detail, what the pros and cons are for a number of different makes. In the end, his conclusions may not be the same as yours, but you will know a great deal about how he came to his conclusions. However, nothing beats a personal test drive! Dave W7AQK __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
And thanks to our friend Jay for introducing me to Tony's paddles, I'll have $450 less in the bank at the end of next month, but I will have a ZN-V vertical paddle. The ultimate test will be whether it can displace the honored position that my Mercury paddle, that I bought several years ago at the Pacificon QRP vendor night, has. Jay related to me that he had a problem with a Begali paddle that they wouldn't fix, but Tony fixed it for him. Do you remember the date of the QST that you mentioned? I'd like to read that article on paddles. 72/73 de Jim - AD6CW On 6/9/2012 10:26 AM, Dyarnes wrote: Hi All, At Dayton a few weeks ago I got to test drive a number of Tony's paddles. I was walking around with my friend Jay, W5JAY, who knows Tony very well. We spent a fair amount of time chatting, and while Jay and Tony were discussing various things, I spent a good bit of time trying out various models. I also dropped back by a few more times to give most of his paddles a 2nd and 3rd look. Now, the last thing I need is another paddle, but I must admit I was sorely tempted. I pretty much concluded that Tony's paddles are, for the money, about as good as you will find. I, too, was very impressed with his vertical paddle in particular. Some of you may know that I am something of a Begali paddle fan, and I own several different models--too many! However, to me, they are still the best you can buy. Two Begali paddles I own--the Sculpture and the Limited Edition Graciella--are my absolute favorites of all the paddles I have ever used. Problem is, most Begali paddles are fairly expensive. The workmanship undoubtedly justifies the price, but they are expensive nonetheless. Begali had several new paddles on display at Dayton, and all were most impressive. It's just all quality stuff! One new paddle of his was most impressive because, not only did it have great feel, but it was one of his lesser priced models. I think it was called the Expedition, and it was under $300. It wasn't quite as glamorous as most of Piero's other paddles, but a very nice looking paddle to be sure. I don't even see that model on his website yet, so it must really be that new. Picking a good paddle is a very personal thing. What feels great to one person may not feel that great to another. Accordingly, I won't dwell on what I think is mandatory for a paddle to be really considered to be a good one. I would suggest that anyone interested in buying a new paddle take a look at the series of articles in QST a while back authored by Bruce Prior, N7RR. Bruce did a great job of describing, in detail, what the pros and cons are for a number of different makes. In the end, his conclusions may not be the same as yours, but you will know a great deal about how he came to his conclusions. However, nothing beats a personal test drive! Dave W7AQK __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
Bruce, N7RR has 15 articles available through the ARRL. His two part series on 'Popular Dual-Lever Keyer Paddles' (May and June 2010) may be the one Dave suggested. Bruce has also written other QST articles on keys as well as several on Elecraft products. If you search his call in the ARRL periodicals archive search tool you'll find them all. Gary N6LRV -Original Message- Do you remember the date of the QST that you mentioned? I'd like to read that article on paddles. 72/73 de Jim - AD6CW __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
Thank you for that info, Gary. I am also going to look it up. Tim Herrick, KQ8M Charter Member North Coast Contesters k...@kq8m.com K3 Serial #5934 AR-Cluster V6 kq8m.no-ip.org User Ports: 23, 7373 with local skimmer, 7374 without local skimmer Server Ports: V6 3607, V4 Active 3605, V4 Passive 3606 -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2012 3:26 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR Bruce, N7RR has 15 articles available through the ARRL. His two part series on 'Popular Dual-Lever Keyer Paddles' (May and June 2010) may be the one Dave suggested. Bruce has also written other QST articles on keys as well as several on Elecraft products. If you search his call in the ARRL periodicals archive search tool you'll find them all. Gary N6LRV -Original Message- Do you remember the date of the QST that you mentioned? I'd like to read that article on paddles. 72/73 de Jim - AD6CW __ 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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
love his guy's work, Chuck K7QO had an article on one of his keys once, this was my intro to these good looking paddles, etc here's a link to his site: http://www.n3znkeys.com/ Al ve3gam - Original Message - From: Gary n6...@cox.net To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2012 3:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
Jim and All, Bruce Prior, N7RR, wrote several QST articles about paddles he had tested. In March 2009, there is one on High End Dual Lever Paddles. That one includes the Mercury, the Begali Sculpture, and a top end N3ZN paddle. Then in May 2009, he followed up with an article on Portable Dual Lever Paddles. Some great info there also. The articles he wrote in 2 parts, in May and June of 2010, were on a variety of other popular dual lever paddles. I think the Bencher, Kent, Begali Simplex, and several others are covered there. All in all, it is a fairly encyclopedic review of most of the paddles you see/hear about. All of these articles are available in the ARRL archives. Dave W7AQK __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
Don Wilhelm-4 wrote I just received an N3ZN single lever paddle (ZNSLR) - what a great piece of workmanship - Thank you Tony. It weighs in at about 5 pounds, so there is no problem with it moving, but it is not something that works nicely for portable operation. 73, Don W3FPR Good choice Don! The ZN-SLR is *BY FAR* the best single-lever paddle I've ever used (including Vibroplex, Bencher, Kent, Begali, etc). My problem is that I'm so spoiled by it that I'm even willing to lug it around on portable operations like the recent QRPTTF: http://www.zianet.com/qrp/QRPTTF/PIX/w4zv_2.jpg 73, Bill W4ZV -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KX3-0325-tp7557268p7557303.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
I wasn't aware of Tony's paddles until a friend mentioned them to me. Now I have a ZN-V vertical paddle on order that should be here around the end of next month. My favorite paddles to date is one based on the original Mercury paddle that I bought at Pacificon around 2000. This new one could give it a run for its money. 72/73 de Jim - AD6CW On 6/8/2012 3:28 AM, Bill W4ZV wrote: Don Wilhelm-4 wrote I just received an N3ZN single lever paddle (ZNSLR) - what a great piece of workmanship - Thank you Tony. It weighs in at about 5 pounds, so there is no problem with it moving, but it is not something that works nicely for portable operation. 73, Don W3FPR Good choice Don! The ZN-SLR is *BY FAR* the best single-lever paddle I've ever used (including Vibroplex, Bencher, Kent, Begali, etc). My problem is that I'm so spoiled by it that I'm even willing to lug it around on portable operations like the recent QRPTTF: http://www.zianet.com/qrp/QRPTTF/PIX/w4zv_2.jpg 73, Bill W4ZV __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR
I have 2 of Tony's paddles. The vertical ZN-3A and a custom ZN-5H with a heavier base. I needed that because of lack of feeling in hand. These are EXCELLENT KEYS to say the least. I have no ties to Tony just a very satisfied customer. I have reviews on eham of my keys. Rick NK 9G - Original Message - From: Jim Lowman jmlow...@sbcglobal.net To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Friday, June 08, 2012 12:56 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ZN-SLR I wasn't aware of Tony's paddles until a friend mentioned them to me. Now I have a ZN-V vertical paddle on order that should be here around the end of next month. My favorite paddles to date is one based on the original Mercury paddle that I bought at Pacificon around 2000. This new one could give it a run for its money. 72/73 de Jim - AD6CW On 6/8/2012 3:28 AM, Bill W4ZV wrote: Don Wilhelm-4 wrote I just received an N3ZN single lever paddle (ZNSLR) - what a great piece of workmanship - Thank you Tony. It weighs in at about 5 pounds, so there is no problem with it moving, but it is not something that works nicely for portable operation. 73, Don W3FPR Good choice Don! The ZN-SLR is *BY FAR* the best single-lever paddle I've ever used (including Vibroplex, Bencher, Kent, Begali, etc). My problem is that I'm so spoiled by it that I'm even willing to lug it around on portable operations like the recent QRPTTF: http://www.zianet.com/qrp/QRPTTF/PIX/w4zv_2.jpg 73, Bill W4ZV __ 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 __ 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
