OK so I worked VK9LA on Lord Howe Island (finally!) tonight. First on 17m SSB then on 30m CW. Here’s the audio of the CW QSO:

20090331_vk9la

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