The ARE-90/AEA
SB-90 Dual Lever Paddle was one of the first attempts at
Glasnost. AEA tried to import them around April of 1993. There were
approximately 30-35 of these that actually made it to the USA. When
production problems delayed them into cancellation, AEA distributed the
sample run to employees. This unit was one of those. (Picture to be placed
shortly.)
Manufactured by
Electrophysics
Corporation in the
early 1960s, this paddle was ahead of its time. It took years to find the
companion keyer, shown here with the paddle.
This paddle was made while the company
was still a basement-style mom-and-pop operation. Ultimately, this paddle
model became the BTL-A. Click on
the photo for the full-sized version. The condition is 'very good' since it
has a small patch on the right front corner.
A very nice
paddle: the EL-KEY
by Poucel Electronics
of Babylon, NY. This one is in excellent to excellent (-) condition, and a
great find.
I also have the corresponding black
base model: & a third, chrome base
version, as well.
This is
the GHD GN405
single lever paddle (non-iambic.)
It has regular mechanical
contacts-as opposed to the
optical interrupter
contacts on other
keys-and the 'feel' is excellent-the optical-sensored keys
have just a bit better feel, and smoother output-but for some reason, I
just-somehow-like
this one (and the mechanical contact, single lever bug) better. Perhaps it's
some kind of simplicity thing!!!?
The
Hensley
is THE finest paddle I own. It is the best looking, the best feeling, and
the best keying, period. Only after acquiring my Hensley did I sell my
Mercury. They are both terrific paddles, but the Hensley's bearings feel
just a little bit better, and I like the looks a bit better. Both are
unquestionably the finest paddles ever made. I was in on the project very
early on, and am fortunate enough to own SN: 002.
To
see the rest of my Hensley 002 photos, click on
HENSLEY.
This is the first paddle photo using my
higher resolution AGFA 1680. Click on the photo for the high resolution
version!
These are the Kent Paddles. You can buy them pre-built, or as a kit.
I highly recommend them. Their feel is as good as paddles costing 2 and 3
times the price of the kit. This excellent photo is from Chuck Adams, K7QO.
The
Mon-Key keyer was made by the Electric Eye Equip. Co. It came
with the Original box/shipping carton! Made somewhere between 1947 to 1958,
This was one of the first vacuum tube keyers made!
This is the
Nye SSK Squeeze Keyer. A very
interesting design, it was one of the first true iambic paddle-keyers. It
has recently been brought back into production, with memories, at the behest
of Marshall Emm and
MorseXpress.
I own two
Schurr paddles, the
Profi, a full sized
iambic baddle; and the "Portable
Wabbler", a smaller
version of the Profi I bought to use as a camping/backpacking paddle. Both
are excellent paddles. Shown is the smaller Portable Wabbler. The Profi
looks just like this, only larger, with a beveled edge below the paddles.
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