[TenTec] THE paddle for keeps...

[John - G3JAG]

Do I detect a hint of a problem here ?? I'm very happy with my March
paddle, but when I first set it up I had an "auto-dit" problem, even
though the spacing was not that close.

I wrongly assumed that I had some RF feedback through the key lead,
because when I turned my Bencher over I saw that I had fitted it with
ferrite beads and bypass capacitors (just in case). I forgot this when
wiring the March, so I made some rapid changes to duplicate the Bencher
bypassing on the March paddle. At first that seemed to fix the
auto-dit lock-up. (Sometimes auto-dash instead).

Unfortunately, I was wrong. The problem came back, but almost always
ONLY when I was calling really rare DX (Murphy's law). I think I now
understand it. I concluded that (A) when excited (by rare DX) I may tend
to hit the paddles harder than usual ... (B) hitting the paddles too
hard or too enthusiastically finds out if there is a little unwanted
"play" in the vertical pivots. If there is play, then the contact
spacing becomes extremely critical. The contacts may in fact close down
to zero gap if one of the pivots has side float in it.

I now think the answer lies in some very careful adjustment work with
the Allen key or whatever else is needed to setup the March or other
paddle. Its not necessarily RF getting into the keyer. BTW I never
got my Bencher to "feel" 100% OK, despite playing with the adjustments.
The March seems easier to setup.

The G4ZPY VHS paddle is claimed to have an improved pivot bearing
arrangement. When I eventually get mine I'll take a close look and let
you know. So far I only got to test drive G4ZPY's own personal version
of the VHS. Mine is still to be made (he has a backlog of orders).

John G3JAG

On 01-Oct-99 The One and Only! wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> vbbond@ix.netcom.com wrote:
>> I should be receiving my Hensley round-base very soon
>   will report my impressions to those interested.
> 
>       I would be interested to know how well the paddle holds its
> settings.
> Does it go into "auto dit" when spaced REAL CLOSE. And last but not
> least, how does it feel. Bounce? or firm?
> -- 
> 73, mitch ww4ml
> lost in the ethers again..
> 
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----------------------------------
E-Mail: John - G3JAG <patents@dx0man.prestel.co.uk>
Date: 02-Oct-99
Time: 22:58:22

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