MFJ-561 and MFJ-561K Miniature Paddle Keys

[Ham4CW]

These lightweight twin paddle keys produced by MFJ can be purchased as kits (MFJ-561k) or ready built (MFJ-561). You could assemble a kit most likely in under an hour, and all you really need is a screwdriver and a set of pliers.

You cannot adjust the tension on these keys, though you can adjust the gaps with a little tweaking with a set of pliers. To be honest, when you see one of these keys in the flesh you would think that they were assembled from the contents of someones junk box. There are no 'special' parts in these keys, just standard off the shelf hardware and fittings.

Having said that they are solid little units, and having used one of these for many hours over time, I can honestly say they are excellent. They fit in the palm of you hand and being light in weight too they make an ideal item for the SOTA operator or outdoor adventurer.

Would I recommend one? Yes! Do they have any drawbacks? Yes, but only one minor one, because they are lightweight you need to hold the key with two hands, or else use some Blu-Tack to stick the key down while in use. Otherwise, 10/10 for these great little keys! bd

 

[Kd5txx]

I had a guy give me one of these to use with my backpacking rig.  They do work great.  I took it as my only key this summer when we went canoeing in northern Minnesota and Canada.  Where we went you are seriously way out there.  No motors allowed and sometimes you don?t see other people all day.  Anyways...it started messing up and became unusable because the dah side wouldn?t work.  Well, I took the key the whole way apart with a multi tool.  Ended up the rubber insulator had dry rotted or something and was not useable.  I took a thin piece of cardboard from a food container and cut it into a circle, poked a hole in the center and used it as the insulator.  Key worked again.  That to say, it?s a great key that you can field expediently fix in a bind.