It was the first key I ever bought - it is AWFUL (CW Morse) - and now I know I’m not the only person who feels this way, I will send mine back. I don’t have to reverse engineer someone else’s product so it works. I’m not going to get a refund, I’m sure, but I will explain to them how difficult this has made it for me to learn to send because it’s right crap.
@@KD9ZHF Yeah, they're rough unless you really spend the time to dial it in. You shouldn't have to go through all of that nonsense on a brand new key...especially for one as expensive as the SP4
I both too. I got Larry's key last year, and the CW Morse unit about 6 months before that. Mine has the set-screw style adjustments. The biggest issue I had with mine is that the aluminum paddles tended to "stick" to the posts when in the resting position. I partially disassembled it and wrapped the posts with Kapton (polyimide) tape, and added a strip to the corresponding surface on the paddles. It works well enough now. It is the key I keep in the car for mobile/parked operating. The original N0SA is reserved for shack and portable use now.
Thanks for the review Evan. I have the CWmorse version and share your sentiments. I just filed the ends of the set screws to get rid of the divots hoping to fix my issues. I’ll see if the center post needs tightened as well.
It's weird, because some work great, and others don't. I'm not sure why. Now that I have mine dialed in it works well, but it was pretty bad when I first got it.
@@EvanK2EJT yes i think its common with the 3 D printed ones -- one of them came with that centre post you pointed out lose but i tightened itand its been good since -- thanks for the video Sir
I wasn't aware the original version was available randomly & bought the CW Morse version when Thomas said there was some available. I have done about six activations with it stock & didn't know about the mods. I currently use it primarily with my QRPp Tuna Tin 2 transmitters. Since I bought my TP-II I haven't used anything else in my Penntek's or Icom IC-718. My best Key ever was my Heathkit Keyer which was a capacitance keyer with two paddles that plugged in when not traveling. The technology is obsolete, but the keyer required 12 volts and had 9.memories, beacon mode, etc. it was a very fun kit, but I should have bought ten spares as it wasn't exactly field service tough as there was no POTA/SOTA, only Field Day once per year, lol. Cheers, Davey --KU9L
I have the SP4 and really have wanted to like it. I did remove the burrs on the screws after I saw Kyle's (AA0Z) video. That did make it somewhat better, but I still don't trust it, which is unfortunate. It had so much potential.
Given Larry's Keys are "Unobtanium" unless you are on the "insiders list" best bet is to just by a TP-III and be done with it. It would be interesting to know why Larry would be willing to lend his name to a key that is "hot garbage". It doesn't make sense for Larry to ruin his reputation. You might ask him next time you talk. He must have had design input and I am sure he gets royalties on sales (which will go down now for sure after this review hi hi)
No problem. I know a lot of people have had issues with the cwmorse version, so I figured I'd shoot this and give people some tips. Thanks for watching!
The CW Morse version is over priced. A little confused though, you said "it's fairly nice to send on", "its decent", but then you also said "its a mess" and "hot garbage".
When you first get it, it's awful. It really is hot garbage. Once you take it apart, dress the ends of the screws, tighten the center post, and get the spacing and tension correct, it actually is pretty nice to send on. Now I actually like using it. When I first got it, I was ready to throw it directly in the trash
I found the perfect way to correct the flaws in the CW Morse SP4. I sent it back for a refund!
LOL that's what I almost did too
It was the first key I ever bought - it is AWFUL (CW Morse) - and now I know I’m not the only person who feels this way, I will send mine back. I don’t have to reverse engineer someone else’s product so it works. I’m not going to get a refund, I’m sure, but I will explain to them how difficult this has made it for me to learn to send because it’s right crap.
@@KD9ZHF Yeah, they're rough unless you really spend the time to dial it in. You shouldn't have to go through all of that nonsense on a brand new key...especially for one as expensive as the SP4
They were good about taking mine back, even paid for the return shipping. Only positive thing about the key.@@KD9ZHF
I both too. I got Larry's key last year, and the CW Morse unit about 6 months before that. Mine has the set-screw style adjustments. The biggest issue I had with mine is that the aluminum paddles tended to "stick" to the posts when in the resting position. I partially disassembled it and wrapped the posts with Kapton (polyimide) tape, and added a strip to the corresponding surface on the paddles. It works well enough now. It is the key I keep in the car for mobile/parked operating. The original N0SA is reserved for shack and portable use now.
Thanks for the review Evan. I have the CWmorse version and share your sentiments. I just filed the ends of the set screws to get rid of the divots hoping to fix my issues. I’ll see if the center post needs tightened as well.
I have had both these keys. You’re spot on, Evan. Great video!
Thanks Matt! As per Skippy's request it'll be SP-X vs. TP-III next
I think I would rather hold out for the N0SA version. Great review! 73, Patrick KF4LMZ
Good luck with that :)
Yeah...I got suckered by several fanboy videos on the CW Morse SP4. SO many shortcomings...all that remains as I received it are the paddles.
Unfortunately they got hyped up and weren't all they were cracked up to be. It's sad, because the real deal is an epic key
i have 2 SP4's - like them both no complaints 73
It's weird, because some work great, and others don't. I'm not sure why. Now that I have mine dialed in it works well, but it was pretty bad when I first got it.
@@EvanK2EJT yes i think its common with the 3 D printed ones -- one of them came with that centre post you pointed out lose but i tightened itand its been good since -- thanks for the video Sir
I wasn't aware the original version was available randomly & bought the CW Morse version when Thomas said there was some available. I have done about six activations with it stock & didn't know about the mods. I currently use it primarily with my QRPp Tuna Tin 2 transmitters. Since I bought my TP-II I haven't used anything else in my Penntek's or Icom IC-718. My best Key ever was my Heathkit Keyer which was a capacitance keyer with two paddles that plugged in when not traveling. The technology is obsolete, but the keyer required 12 volts and had 9.memories, beacon mode, etc. it was a very fun kit, but I should have bought ten spares as it wasn't exactly field service tough as there was no POTA/SOTA, only Field Day once per year, lol. Cheers, Davey --KU9L
I have the SP4 and really have wanted to like it. I did remove the burrs on the screws after I saw Kyle's (AA0Z) video. That did make it somewhat better, but I still don't trust it, which is unfortunate. It had so much potential.
Unfortunately you're on the only one
Given Larry's Keys are "Unobtanium" unless you are on the "insiders list" best bet is to just by a TP-III and be done with it. It would be interesting to know why Larry would be willing to lend his name to a key that is "hot garbage". It doesn't make sense for Larry to ruin his reputation. You might ask him next time you talk. He must have had design input and I am sure he gets royalties on sales (which will go down now for sure after this review hi hi)
It's a good question, and one I don't have an answer to.
Yup, that's my paddle (sp4)...
On Point !!!
thank you
No problem. I know a lot of people have had issues with the cwmorse version, so I figured I'd shoot this and give people some tips. Thanks for watching!
My CW Morse key suuucks. Waste of $10l
The CW Morse version is over priced. A little confused though, you said "it's fairly nice to send on", "its decent", but then you also said "its a mess" and "hot garbage".
When you first get it, it's awful. It really is hot garbage. Once you take it apart, dress the ends of the screws, tighten the center post, and get the spacing and tension correct, it actually is pretty nice to send on. Now I actually like using it. When I first got it, I was ready to throw it directly in the trash