Dude, that's an epic collection! Thanks for making this video, this will help me decide what I want next. I only have a few base station keys. I need to remodel my shack to make room for more. Right now I have 3 hooked up to the rig, Begali pearl, RA1AOM and a Bencher straight key.
This was an EXCELLENT video. It absolutely destroys anything I've put out! You have a pretty serious collection, and I'm jealous of a few of them (I NEED a RA1AOM). If you keep up this production quality and content quality you'll have a huge channel in no time! Thanks for the shout out by the way 😂 Oh, and the radio Jonathan is working on should be out in about two weeks. I've been beta testing it.....and it's AWESOME
Haha thanks man! That means a ton coming from you. I've really loved your channel and it was super influential through my CW journey. Similar to you, I care a ton about introducing new people to the hobby and keys are a fun way to do that! I'm jealous you've been testing that new rig! I really hope to get my hands on the kit when it comes out! I'll be building Jonathan's pota key in the next day or so! 73!
Exceptional video Forrest! Been meaning to purchase one of those Ukrainian keys…I switched to the Begali HST single lever a few months ago in the shack and it’s now my favorite (probably used on all our QSOs). The red AME single lever paddle is super fun for PoTA with the leg strap. Look forward to our next QSO! 73
@@AE6Z I’ve been eyeing that AME single. I do have the AME dual! Nice, gotta love Begali keys! Great to get you in the log a bunch recently and I look forward to our next QSO, Chris. (I may start calling you CW in our exchanges) 😉
Fantastic video Forrest. My base key is a UR5CDX CT-599. The March key you showed is stunning... Looks like you need a couple of Thomas Devoe cooties and bugs to round out a very impressive collection ;-) 73s ZL2EF
Kent has been around awhile. The older ones were labeled Kent England starting in the mid 1980's, Then the label changed to Kent UK. I am not 100% on this but the Europeon Union came into being in 1993 and that may have something to do with that label change, and then kent contracted out the manufacturing end to Germany in 2006. I have the same two you showed, both are labeled Kent England. The design has changed a bit on the orientation of the contact arms on the Iambic. I def prefer the wider spacing on the paddles. I broke the original paddle on the single lever and ordered a new one. The shape, thickness, and material type has changed and I prefer the original. I hope to be able to find another one, or make a repair that will hold up. Thats all I got for ya on that.
@@KC2BKM Oh man! Thanks so much for sharing that story and the history. That’s awesome you have a couple originals from the UK. They are great paddles! I did get the bamatech red finger pieces for the dual but haven’t thrown them on yet. Thanks for watching and your comment!
Also N0SA just came out with a limited run of full size paddles. You can email him from his QRZ page. He only makes small batches as he is semi retired. Would make a great addition to your collection. Which is very nice by the way.
Forrest some of the creators of these keys I didn't know about until watching your videos. You have great content and I look for you on 20 whenever I turn on the rig. Thanks for the video, really nice bro!
You are missing my favorite. The 9A5N solid state paddle from Croatia (single lever or iambic). I have the SL. I prefer it over my N3ZN SL and my Begali Sculpture Mono.
@@mainetomass99 one of my best friends sent me a picture at his activation yesterday with the solid state single lever. People really seem to love those keys. I didn’t realize they’re from Croatia! Very cool. I said I was done collecting…. But….
Would be curious to hear about what this CW Pokemon thing does versus the Morserino32. Which is a fantastic little device... I highly recommend anybody who thinks they might be interested in the Morserino order one before they have to redesign it due to the Heltec LORA module (the brains of the device;; which also allows it to act as a localized transceiver to other Morserino32 trainers) is fully discontinued. The Morserino32 is really fully featured, and can even act as a memory keyer. Obviously, no relation; I just love mine. P.S. Great key collection -- a bit insane ;)
@@Kinetic79 that’s really cool! I’ll need to check out the morserino! I don’t have a strong opinion on trainers. I’ve only tried this one and I snagged it off eBay. It worked as a good introduction to sending code. I then got a winkeyer and used iambic master. For copying I primarily used LCWO and UA-cam videos.
That ZN-9ZX just screams USAF Retired ... I might have to order one in those colors. Guarenteed to make my 45-year-old Bencher BY-1 jealous. Thanks for the review, wife is asking what I wat for my birthday :)
Please access the spreadsheet in the description with all details related to vendor contact. Important note: prices are subject to change and I would recommend inquiring with him directly on available options. I absolutely recommend his keys.
Dude, that's an epic collection! Thanks for making this video, this will help me decide what I want next. I only have a few base station keys. I need to remodel my shack to make room for more. Right now I have 3 hooked up to the rig, Begali pearl, RA1AOM and a Bencher straight key.
I've gotten a little carried away but it's K9KJ's fault. 😂
So stoked you have an RA1AOM and the Begali Pearl is an awesome key.
@@Utahforrest I also get carried away. When the XYL complains about a new package every other day I tell her it's your fault!
@@haletd 😅😂
This was an EXCELLENT video. It absolutely destroys anything I've put out! You have a pretty serious collection, and I'm jealous of a few of them (I NEED a RA1AOM). If you keep up this production quality and content quality you'll have a huge channel in no time! Thanks for the shout out by the way 😂
Oh, and the radio Jonathan is working on should be out in about two weeks. I've been beta testing it.....and it's AWESOME
Haha thanks man! That means a ton coming from you. I've really loved your channel and it was super influential through my CW journey. Similar to you, I care a ton about introducing new people to the hobby and keys are a fun way to do that! I'm jealous you've been testing that new rig! I really hope to get my hands on the kit when it comes out! I'll be building Jonathan's pota key in the next day or so! 73!
@@Utahforrest It's a cool radio. You'll like it for sure. Keep up the good work man!
Exceptional video Forrest! Been meaning to purchase one of those Ukrainian keys…I switched to the Begali HST single lever a few months ago in the shack and it’s now my favorite (probably used on all our QSOs). The red AME single lever paddle is super fun for PoTA with the leg strap. Look forward to our next QSO! 73
@@AE6Z I’ve been eyeing that AME single. I do have the AME dual! Nice, gotta love Begali keys! Great to get you in the log a bunch recently and I look forward to our next QSO, Chris. (I may start calling you CW in our exchanges) 😉
Fantastic video Forrest. My base key is a UR5CDX CT-599. The March key you showed is stunning... Looks like you need a couple of Thomas Devoe cooties and bugs to round out a very impressive collection ;-) 73s ZL2EF
@@ebenfourie9057 that’s not a bad idea!! I do need a bug!! :) I’ll look up Thomas Devoe!
Nice job Forrest! Thanks for doing the video.
Thanks so much Joe! I appreciate your comment. The video did take a lot of work so I’m glad you enjoyed it. Haha! 73 de KI7QCF
Kent has been around awhile. The older ones were labeled Kent England starting in the mid 1980's, Then the label changed to Kent UK. I am not 100% on this but the Europeon Union came into being in 1993 and that may have something to do with that label change, and then kent contracted out the manufacturing end to Germany in 2006. I have the same two you showed, both are labeled Kent England. The design has changed a bit on the orientation of the contact arms on the Iambic. I def prefer the wider spacing on the paddles. I broke the original paddle on the single lever and ordered a new one. The shape, thickness, and material type has changed and I prefer the original. I hope to be able to find another one, or make a repair that will hold up. Thats all I got for ya on that.
@@KC2BKM Oh man! Thanks so much for sharing that story and the history. That’s awesome you have a couple originals from the UK. They are great paddles! I did get the bamatech red finger pieces for the dual but haven’t thrown them on yet.
Thanks for watching and your comment!
Also N0SA just came out with a limited run of full size paddles. You can email him from his QRZ page. He only makes small batches as he is semi retired. Would make a great addition to your collection. Which is very nice by the way.
Nice vid man. Cool looking shack too! The cdx key is nice for the money. Hard to have just one key 😆
I kept going until I ran out of desk space 😂
Thanks for watching, Jay!
Forrest some of the creators of these keys I didn't know about until watching your videos. You have great content and I look for you on 20 whenever I turn on the rig. Thanks for the video, really nice bro!
@@biz-73 Thanks, Bill! This is a really fun subject for me! Haha, I love collecting paddles from unique places. I look forward to our next QSO! 73
Love it!!
Sorry I screwed up the name of your channel!!! (Briefly) I got it corrected though haha. Thanks so much for influencing my collection ❤
@@Utahforrest all good man! Loved the shout out! Fun video!
You are missing my favorite. The 9A5N solid state paddle from Croatia (single lever or iambic). I have the SL. I prefer it over my N3ZN SL and my Begali Sculpture Mono.
@@mainetomass99 one of my best friends sent me a picture at his activation yesterday with the solid state single lever. People really seem to love those keys. I didn’t realize they’re from Croatia! Very cool. I said I was done collecting…. But….
@@Utahforrest Ha. We’ve all said that. Always room for one more. Plus, you can always sell one to make room for one!
24:48 i always thought Kent was UK also!!
I heard multiple people say that! Someone did comment today that they used to be UK and then sometime not too long ago became German!
Incredible! Life goals right there. 😁 How do you like the CW Pokemon (HAMCUBE)?
@@richsawyer1067 love it! That’s what I used to learn the alphabet and start sending CW!!
Would be curious to hear about what this CW Pokemon thing does versus the Morserino32. Which is a fantastic little device... I highly recommend anybody who thinks they might be interested in the Morserino order one before they have to redesign it due to the Heltec LORA module (the brains of the device;; which also allows it to act as a localized transceiver to other Morserino32 trainers) is fully discontinued. The Morserino32 is really fully featured, and can even act as a memory keyer. Obviously, no relation; I just love mine. P.S. Great key collection -- a bit insane ;)
@@Kinetic79 that’s really cool! I’ll need to check out the morserino! I don’t have a strong opinion on trainers. I’ve only tried this one and I snagged it off eBay. It worked as a good introduction to sending code. I then got a winkeyer and used iambic master. For copying I primarily used LCWO and UA-cam videos.
That ZN-9ZX just screams USAF Retired ... I might have to order one in those colors. Guarenteed to make my 45-year-old Bencher BY-1 jealous. Thanks for the review, wife is asking what I wat for my birthday :)
If I could do it all over again I’d be USAF retired. You’ll never regret an N3ZN! Would look great next to your Bencher!
Wonderful video and it is very helpful to see all the keys and the many options that are possible. 73 Bill KG4FXG
Thanks, Bill! I’ve really enjoyed collecting paddles from different parts of the world.
Hope to work you again soon. On any key! ae0pl
Same! Look forward to our next QSO. 😊 73
Forest how do you contact RA1AOM and does he have a web site with models and price.
Please access the spreadsheet in the description with all details related to vendor contact. Important note: prices are subject to change and I would recommend inquiring with him directly on available options. I absolutely recommend his keys.
Thank for getting back to me Forest.Will check it out.I like that single lever you just got from him.