Just wanted to document a minor victory in the shack this evening. While waiting for the Georgia CW traffic net, I disassembled my BY1 Bencher key that had a pretty severely bent lever.
In fact, the key had suffered such a hard drop that it bent the 4-40 threaded screw that keeps the keying lever assembly mounted to the base part that it pivots on.
I had to buy some correct size screws, but they were cheap enough. After replacing the screw, the next problem was the keying lever was bent pretty severely. The left paddle was pointing upward a quite an angle compared to its non-damaged partner.
Tonight I made sure I brought sufficient tools to try to straighten the lever. The lever was actually twisted, so it took me several tries to get it back in alignment. You can’t tell the lever was ever bent. I quickly reassembled the paddle and used it when I was checked out of the CW net.
Tonight I counted FIVE Bencher BY-1 paddles in the shack. I’m guilty of watching for forlorn Bencher keys and buying them when I can get them for a song. I told myself I would sell them once repaired but I’ve not reached that point, lol.
I really find the Bencher BY-1 a superb paddle. Of course, I also find the Kent iambic paddle a fine key. I have a Vibroplex Vibrocube on the desk, but never took time to wire it up.
That’s all for this trip … 73 es CUL …. de KY4Z …. SK …. SK … (dit dit) …