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Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by K5AKG on September 20, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
What are the advantages of one over the other? Are they electrically interchangeable as far as the transmitter is concerned? Alan K5AKG Bristow, VA

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by AA4PB on September 20, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
A dual paddle is used for an iambic keyer. For example, if you close the dit side just ahead of the dah side and hold the two closed the keyer will send a continuous string of dit-dah-dit-dah. It also works the opposite way when you close the dah side first. A dual paddle can be used with a non-iambic keyer and even with an iambic keyer the user does not have to use "squeeze keying" for the iambic feature. A single paddle can also be used with either type of keyer but you won't be able to use "squeeze keying" to access the iambic function. If it were me, I'd purchase a dual paddle because it is the most universal.

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by WB2WIK on September 20, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
Dual paddle is more flexible and all I ever use. I do use iambic keying ("squeeze" keying, so to speak) and you can't do that with a single lever paddle. It makes sending less effort, if you do a lot of sending. WB2WIK/6

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by N5XM on September 20, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
I use a single lever Kent and the Vibroplex deluxe single lever. I have a small hand and like the lower profile of the Kent. The Vibroplex is a joy to use. Either way, single or double, choose whatever you like, and get on the air.

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by W8ZNX on September 21, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
its a matter of personal taste ive used each its hard to find a realy great single lever paddle most builders tend to iambic lash up i don't care for iambic sending just screws up my bug style so i simply slap the paddles same as a bug play around what one op loves another op can not stand same key ten ops simply love same key ten other ops simply hate dit dit Mac

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by W8ZNX on September 21, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
its a matter of personal taste ive used each don't care for iambic sending screws up my bug style so simply slap the paddles play around same key ten ops simply love same key ten other ops simply hate dit dit Mac

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by W8ZNX on September 21, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
sry dam bb stoped dead thought it locked up

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by W9OY on September 21, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
I have thousands invested in iambic paddles. That being said I am now totally sold on single lever paddles. The whole "squeeze keying is easier" thing is a fraud. As best I can see iambic keying is a feature in search of a need. Single lever paddles have less degrees of freedom so to speak and therefore less mistake making potential. To speak of sending with a single lever as "extra work" is silly especially if you make even 1% more errors with the iambic paddle. That argument has commonly been made since the advent of the accu-keyer but it is just that an argument, not a fact as is often proffered. In fact if you learn to send with a single lever you have the most versatility since a SL man can switch to an iambic paddle with ease while going the other way is not intuitive. It is YOU not the paddle that sends the code. As far as what paddle to choose, I like the Kent SL for a moderately priced paddle and I like the Begali Mono Simplex, but my favorite is this paddle: http://www.n3znkeys.com/modelznSL1.html It is an absolute dream key. 73 W9OY

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by KB1OOO on September 21, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
I've only used an iambic paddle but here's what I've surmised from the previous discussions which you should also read if you are interested (do a search in the top right search box on iambic). Advantages: Dual: iambic keying is a bit less physical effort so you'll probably last longer if you are sending for hours. Also, dual paddles are more ubiquitous so when you go to a buddy's shack, or to field day, you'll be more likely to find a dual paddle. Single: There seems to be some evidence that you can send more accurately with a single lever paddle at your upper speed limit. DJ1YFK (one of 2 people on the planet to reach 200wpm RUFZ copy in an official competition) has said that all the ops winning the high speed telegraphy sending competitions are using single lever paddles. To answer your other question: electronically, there shouldn't be any issues. As an aside, you probably shouldn't sweat it, just pick one and go for it. I learned on a dual paddle and I'll probably try a single lever paddle in the near future. Nothing lost if I end up liking the single better. Same goes for which model to buy. Just pick one of the popular ones and you can change later. 73, Marc

RE: Single v. Double Paddle	Reply
by N3DF on September 21, 2008	Mail this to a friend!
The advantage of a single paddle key is that, if you learned to key in the era before iambic keyers, you can keep using the single paddle key and don't have to re-learn a skill. If you are just learning to use a key and keyer for the first time today, the only sensible course of action is to use a double paddle key.

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