Many thanks to Dale (N3HXZ), who writes:
“It would be nice to hear from your listeners/subscribers about which is the most robust paddle! I have not met a paddle yet that has not failed in the field at some point. Thanks for all your good work.”
This is a great question.
I feel that almost all of the paddles and keys I regularly take to the field pass muster.
Some of my picks
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I’m a big fan of CW Morse’s $45 US 3D-Printed Pocket Paddle. I find it to be remarkably robust. I toss it in my backpack without any extra covers or protection, and I’ve never had one break. I also appreciate how easily adjustable it is in the field.
Similarly, the KM4CFT paddle seems to hold up well, though I haven’t owned one as long.
The CW Morse CNC Machined Aluminum Paddle is one of the most rugged paddles I own. This key is CNC-machined (except for the 3D-printed top cover), making it virtually bulletproof. A solid choice!
The BaMaKeY TP-III is another solid paddle. It’s not inexpensive, but I’ve never regretted purchasing one. When paired with the Senrog Bench Block, it becomes a stable tabletop key that won’t move as you operate. During transport, I use the Tufteln protective cover, though I feel this key could survive in a backpack with minimal extra protection.
While the VK3IL Pressure Paddle V2 doesn’t feel substantial in the hand–it’s a touch paddle built on a circuit board–it’s incredibly robust due to its lack of moving parts. It’s easy to protect in a pack, and there’s little that can go wrong with it. If you’d rather not build one yourself, Vince (VE6LK) has some excellent options.
At 298 Euro, the Begali Traveler is the most expensive paddle on this list. It’s also the heaviest. But if you’re looking for a larger, precision field key that’s robust, it’s hard to beat. The Traveler has folding wings that protect the finger pieces during transport and open when you’re ready to operate.
I love this key and take it with me when size and weight aren’t major concerns. Pair it with a Tufteln protective cover for ultimate protection in your field pack.
Your suggestions?
I’ve limited this list to keys I’ve taken to the field numerous times and have owned for at least a year. Of course, my experience is limited to the keys I own—there are so many others on the market!
In your real-world experience, what do you consider the most robust field keys? Please share your suggestions in the comments!
Begali Magnetic Traveler Light is the best I’ve owned, although my Jones Key PK200 with cover by Larry Stamm that sits on the base of the paddles is darn rugged and has been on 3 DX trips to Belize for CW and many Field Days in the Colorado mountains and QRP contesting trips to Wyoming. 🙂
re robust keys….
I take my Begali Expedition to the Field. It’s been trouble-free so far. It’s not a lightweight set of paddles, though- it tips the scale at almost 3 pounds. It goes to POTA sites in a Pelican case.
// I miss my Palm NanoPaddles from my SOTA days. Left behind at a POTA site and never recovered despite a sweep with a metal detector.
At the other end of the reliability spectrum: the Vibroplex paddles. They come apart when they’re dropped. ‘My bad’, though.
Wow! Where to start on portable paddles? First are my top criteria (1-5 ratings) for consideration:
1 Ruggedness
2 Weight ( lighter is better ) Especially important if you backpack to sites
3 Conductivity of contacts and bearings
4 Ease of fine adjustment
5 Stability of adjustments
Here are my picks of those that I have used:
#1 BamaTech TP-III. Absolute top of list. Only negative is the 3.5 mm jack. It is an excellent jack, but I still prefer direct wired paddles. 1-5*, 2-5*, 3-5*, 4-5*, 5-5*
#2 American Morse Ultra Porta Paddles. SS contacts are just okay. Conductivity thru bearings is poor, altho most rigs seem to be okay with that. Coarse threads for adjustments make close spacing next to impossible. 1-5*, 2-5*, 3-2*, 4-3*, 5-5*
#3 American Morse Dirt Cheap Paddle. Similar issues to #2, but even sloppier. Worse conductivity issues thru bearings but can easily wire around bearings to correct. 1-5*, 2-5*, 3-2*, 4-1*, 5-5*
#4 N6ARA Paddles. Lightest by far. Need to use 2 hands to use. Fantastic as a backup. 1-3*, 2-5*, 3-4*, 4-3*, 5-2*
#5 Putikeeg paddles. Somewhat delicate but with care work well. Jack is very flimsy. Case it comes in protects it very well for travel. Adjustment very difficult. Magnetic base very nice and strong. 1-2*, 2-5*, 3-5*, 4-1*, 5-3*
The SP4, originally by Larry, N0SA and also in mass production by CWMORSE.
I thought I had found a solid robust set of paddles with the CW Morse CNC aluminum key but I found a way to defeat it. During an outdoor session I attracted a swarm of mosquitoes. I sprayed a can of bug repellent wildly and furiously. The bug spray got rid of the mosquitoes ok but some of it got into my paddles as well. Dits and dahs became erratic so I had to bail out of the net I had just checked into. That key took a lot of cleaning to get it working again. My fault, not the manufacturer’s!
The only portable paddles I have are the CWMorse Pocket Paddles. In fact, I have two of them. They’ve worked very well for me, but I can’t say that I’ve been very rough with them. I ordered both without magnets, but recently modified one of them by installing (using E6000 adhesive) a set of D43-N52 magnets from K&J Magnetics.
The cw morse 3d is … OK. It does the job. I got it for a trip to Iceland next year for 3 weeks. Your review of all the keys may make me change.
I like a “tight” key, where there is very little key movement. AND little or no noise . The cw morse is noisy and settings are a bit crude no fine threaded screw adjustments. But it will do the trip for me. But as I said after the reviewing the article I just read I may change. I’m taking my qmx radio from qrp labs, and the cw morse key would work….. I have always liked the traveller by Begali… I may just bite the bullet and get it . As always thank you qrper
I use the VK3IL v2 Pressure Paddles in 95% of my outdoor operations. I think they’re perfect. I just fold them up with their cable and throw them in the bag with the other wires (power, audio). The electronics are covered by heat shrink, except for the pressure pads themselves. They’re super-light, very inexpensive and very simple to construct. No moving parts to break (or bounce!), and they pack flat: the cable I attached is bulkier than the paddles.
However I must confess they once failed me in the field. It was raining significantly and I was only doing a half-hearted job of shielding my gear. The paddles, in particular, were out in the elements where I was operating them. Eventually they got too wet: electronics, go figure! I switched to a backup key (SP4 from CWMorse/N0SA) and exercised more care. I doubt most keys would fare any better in the rain, and few would recover as easily or completely. On the other hand, I might not have tried operating at all if it had meant exposing a Begali to the elements.
The next day, when they had dried out, the VK3IL paddles were back in action and whenever I’m outdoors I continue to use them almost exclusively. It’s definitely my favorite (rugged) traveling paddle.
73 de Todd W2TEF
I pick the BaMaKeY TP-III. It is a quality product & small enough.
73 De SV1DKN
Have several for POTA or portable ops but pretty much rely on these 3.
Bamakey TP-III, Bamakey TP-II , N3ZN ZN-QRP. -my favs and highly recommend. If I had to pick just one, it would be the TP-III.
If you’re wanting a “shirt pocket” key, the UMPP key made by GM0EUL is pretty awesome as well.
There are 3 paddles that see field duty with me: Begali Expedition, Begali Adventure Duo, and N0SA SOTA. Since I mostly operate from my micro camper, the Expedition sees the most use. Heavy and built like a tank. I also have a Traveler that stays in the truck for ad hoc mobile ops.
For portable CW keys, I put a high premium on reliability. So, my number one pick is the BaMaKey TP-III. Never has produced a glitch while deliberately keying. Self-protected by design from dirt and dust, easy to hold, never has needed adjustment. I carry it in the form-fitting magnetic case from Tufteln. One drawback is that it can produce unintentional dits and dahs when set down on an uneven surface that accidently touches the keys. The BMW of portable keys
Second are the Elecraft KHPD1, KXPD2 and KXPD3 paddles. This has surprised me, but they work very well when attached to the radio and whilst standing on one foot. Or, more often in the case of using the KX3, on a coffee table with limited space so you can key one-handed (without carrying a heavy base). They are adjusted loosely and with firm(ish) spring settings. Sometimes they can perform intermittently until the contacts are cleaned.
Thirdly, the CW/Morse CNC Machined Aluminum Pocket Double Paddle Key. This is set firm and loose for use with its magnetic base on a picnic table and in cold weather. The large finger pads are great when wearing gloves. Difficult(ish) to handhold because the adjustment screws are awkwardly placed, sensitive and it’s easy to make unintended dits and dahs, but also easy to get accustomed to. The Tractor of portable keys.
My backup is a pressure paddle.
Have had disappointing experience with the CW Morse N0SA mini paddle which can exhibit persistent intermittent dits and dahs…Or sometimes not anything at all. Perhaps I got one from an early batch.
Thomas, thanks for your excellent article on paddles and thank-you to all the subscribers who chimed in! A wealth of options to consider. Definitely will pick up 1 or 2 from these options.
I just use a voice keyer! Saves your voice and allows you to wear gloves hi…
I have the N3ZN ZN-QRP, which is built like a tank, but found it was too heavy for field use – it’s now my home station paddle. I replaced it with the Bamakey TPIII that was featured on this site last year and it is great.
The classic N0SA has long been my favorite, but I do love my AME Ultra Porta Paddle. Just picked up the Modern Morse Nameless and time will tell.
Bamakey TP-3 is my choice.
The KXPD2 was a disappointment.
Won’t even bother trying the Palm Pico 3.
Will bring along a CW4EVER single-lever mini to my JA-trip as backup (if I get my license on time to have it engraved with my JA-call that is).
Cw Morse is awesome
The Whiterook MK series keys and paddles from ElectronicsUSA are the most under-rated and under-appreciated keys in portable ham radio ! I still have my original one from 25 years ago & it works great. I have just tossed it in the back pack (with no cover) and it’s done great for SOTA & overseas travel. When you order, you will get a personal note from the owner Jack WA6KYO. He has almost every permutation – single or double lever, straight key or combo (paddle and straight key together). The keys are made of ABS plastic (not 3-D) here in the USA . Very reasonable with prices from $30 to $53 dollars. The bottom is detachable and easily replaced with a velcro leg strap. Can’t speak highly enough about these great rugged, inexpensive but very well made keys that last a quarter century or more.
IAlthough I’m late to the game, without a doubt the Begali Adventure is the best portable set of paddles I’ve ever used. Incredibly small, light and the absolute precision that Begali is known for. Plus they’re extremely durable. I’ve had mine on hundreds of SOTA and POTA activations since 2016 and never a problem. Plus- if you do any activation that is a bit longer you will understand how much less fatiguing these are compared practically anything else.
Modern Morse Nameless v0 all the way.
You could drive a truck over this iambic paddle, and it wouldn’t blink. Each arm is independently adjustable for gap and tension (magnetic return), it has four neodymium magnets in the base to attach it to something ferrous, it’s small enough to hold in one hand while operating with the other (ergonomically shaped case) and it’s cerakoted.
In addition, I’ve stress tested in in freezing and hot conditions, which don’t seem to affect it.
This is the best field key for me, and will most likely be the last one I ever buy.
Disclaimer: I’m a friend of Aaron AE0LZ (designer/manufacturer), but that hasn’t diminished my praise for this key. 😉
I finally did it I ordered the Begali traveler, this will be my first precision key. I have 8 other keys including palm , vibro flex , bencher.
I bought a qmx radio from qrp labs to go with me to Iceland next year.
As to keys I like a tight key very little movement, after I purchased the cw morse key I knew it would not do, if adjusted tight and you bump it it starts sending dots or dashes. So I knew it was time to do it right and ordered the Begali. Terry ne7ts