I purchased a PortaPaddle II kit from American Morse at Pacificon 2007. There’s something satisfying about purchasing something of quality from its maker. Let me tell you, Doug Hauff, W6AME, owner/operator/genius/master craftsman has really given the ham community a real gem here.

If I hadn’t been fiddling with trying to take short video clips of each step in the assembly process, I would have had it put together in under five minutes. That includes the trip to the fridge for a cold beer. Well, I also had some “QRD” (‘the place is going to the dogs’) from my canine kids Honey and Shaggy. Nevertheless my camera battery died and I really just wanted to get this paddle together so I could try it out. You can view the photos I managed to get here.

Tools required were a screwdriver and a pliers. The kit comes with an allen wrench and a locking nut wrench. One ‘mod’ I may make is to somehow stow the locking nut wrench somehow in the base. The builder’s manual is clear and concise. Doug obviously puts a lot of time and effort into not just making the kit itself, but writing quality assembly instructions, complete with color photos.

What I wanted was a paddle I could take with me when I travel. I needed something that could handle being handled, packed-away, carried through the woods, and sitting at the beach. This is a durable, solidly design (and built) kit that will amaze you with the high level of precision it gives you.

Each paddle has a finely threaded thumbscrew with a locking nut (the kit comes with a small wrench for this very thing). Tension is also adjusted by the thumbscrew on the right paddle. This also has a locking nut.

How does it feel? Well, my other paddles are beginning to gather dust. This little paddle fits my hand nicely and the perfectly-weighted base Doug sells makes the Portapaddle II stay put. This last point is VERY important to me. All too often I find my horrible habit of ‘slapping’ my CW paddles causes them to do everything but stand still.

The size of the PortaPaddle II is smaller than my J-38 straight key.

I may design some sort of mounting system for HF-Packing with the Portapaddle II. It will probably just be a quick-release (velco?) on my pack’s shoulder straps. I haven’t gone down that road just yet, but will keep you posted right here.

If you’re looking for a CW paddle that will give you the same level of precision and ‘feel’ as the high-end paddles (that cost many times more), try out the PortaPaddle II. For the price, it simply rocks!

72/73!

Jack, K6JEB

OK, this time I used my Dentron GLA-1000 (modified with four EL-509s slacking off at 400 watts output) to try and actually have a ‘run’ calling CQ. However, I really had only one decent run and a couple very short runs. In any case, I still had a blast and I’m really pleased with the recordings I used for my voice keying since I had NO requests for repeats when I used it. Of course using voice keying isn’t always the best idea. Use with discretion. But it’s nice to be able to talk the next day.

Here’s a screenshot of my message buffer:

and of course moments after the contest (click image to see full size):

Call: K6JEB
Operator(s): K6JEB
Station: K6JEB

Class: SO Unlimited HP
QTH: EB
Operating Time (hrs): 22:23

Summary:
Band QSOs
————
160: 0
80: 57
40: 112
20: 123
15: 16
10: 0
————
Total: 308 Sections = 75 Total Score = 46,200

Club: Northern California Contest Club

Comments:
A lot of work even with 400 watts! My favorite time was running a small pile-up for several minutes of NCCC KBers. Last Sweepstakes from this QTH, will be moving before next year. Will be hopefully in a better antenna location next year!

I took part in the 2007 ARRL Sweepstakes CW Weekend. Here are my results:

Call: K6JEB
Operator(s): K6JEB
Station: K6JEB

Class: SO Unlimited HP
QTH: EB
Operating Time (hrs): 23:12

Summary:
Band QSOs
————
160: 1
80: 113
40: 124
20: 119
15: 18
10: 0
————
Total: 375 Sections = 79 Total Score = 59,408

Club: Northern California Contest Club

Comments: missed only NL (saw him on the cluster but was never able to hear him). Was mostly S&P with a few runs whenever I could squeeze in and be heard.

Station: I actually operated 100 watts but ran in Unlimited category to be able to use packet spotting (in an effort to garner points for the NCCC versus operating with individual glory as a goal). So my rig was my trusty Yaesu FT-857D putting out a clean 100 watts into my Butternut HF9V, Windom, or shortened dipole for 160m. I use Writelog for logging and of course a Rigblaster Plus for the sound card interface and keying.