Hey I was just talking about these and look you have a video. Thanks for the encouragement in cw. Should be posting up a video on restoring this Bencher I just picked up
I picked my BY-2 up at a Hamfest maybe 5-6 years ago for no more than $80 in almost new condition. Still on my on again off again quest to get proficient at code. I always take it to field day and it finds love there.
Great video...just got a BY 1 but without the Allen key type wrench to adjust the posts...do you know where I can get one of those...standard Allen key doesn't seem to fit. Thanks 73
The BY-1 is the first keyer I ever touched. 100s of QSOs later, I've have never found a need to change. I've used the Bencher paddle/MFJ auto keyer for mobile CW.
I bought one when I upgraded from novice in 81. I think the black base was $45 at Amateur Ekectronic Supply. Inflation has hit. I looked online and they are up to about $169.
I always thought the straight he was more on the advanced side, and if you are thinking about doing anything with getting faster than 15 to 18 words per minute, I would definitely recommend iambic... I personally think it's easier
What is the best method to clean the contacts on the keys? Some times my bencher does not make contact. Although I cleaned the contacts with paper and electrical contact cleaner, it still periodically does not make contact. TNX Bret/AC0AE
Sorry for the delay here. I usually take a piece of paper and run it between the two contacts while I'm squeezing the paddle. That usually takes off any grit or grime and I will usually do that right before I start playing radio for the day. I hope that helps!
Thanks for chiming in on the vid by Cody St. Pierre, but he says that the yellow (which would be RING) wire is not connected, which I don't understand. I know that for a standard key, only two wires are needed, (according to MFJ, they'd be for the TIP and SLEEVE0, but for a paddle, the three wires are needed - so what is Cody St. Pierre talking about????????????????
The ring is not needed because you only need that for a paddle or iambic key. There are only two contacts that are needed. The tip and the sleeve. With the EC-1 kit, it comes with provisions to allow for attachments to an iambic paddle. That's why the yellow/ ring is not used
@@k9kj Okay - so if I were to use a paddle (without the famous "iambic squeeze tango dance step"), I'd need no "yellow' (ring) wire at all, not at the paddle and not at the plug, or do I just need it at the paddle end? I see in the video the yellow wire at the paddle, but is it disconnected from the plug, OR does the system just ignore the "yellow" wire? I guess that basically, do I use a normal 3.5mm audio plug with three wires intact, or do I solder up a plug/jack with just two wires? I GREATLY appreciate your willingness (and your expertise) to assist - within three hours I'll have my first "paddle", and I want to be ready for it.
I've never liked iambic, or squeeze, keying, so I use the double paddle but not "iambically"😂 (I got started with an electronic, single-lever paddle in the mid-70's from Ten Tec, the KR-5 & used a 6v battery to power it!)
The Bencher BY1 was my first ever Iambic paddle - still have it! Great paddle.
Thanks for your explanation. I just received my black chrome Bencher.
A piece of art, and a wonderful key.
Hey I was just talking about these and look you have a video. Thanks for the encouragement in cw. Should be posting up a video on restoring this Bencher I just picked up
Thanks for showing all the details of both keyes. I am just getting started in CW and the BY-2 looks very inticing 🤔.
great video!
Thanks for the visit
I used the by-1 for 14 years as a commercial cw opr. Once I tried one I never went back.
Wow very cool!
I picked my BY-2 up at a Hamfest maybe 5-6 years ago for no more than $80 in almost new condition. Still on my on again off again quest to get proficient at code. I always take it to field day and it finds love there.
Great video...just got a BY 1 but without the Allen key type wrench to adjust the posts...do you know where I can get one of those...standard Allen key doesn't seem to fit. Thanks 73
... & very interesting, thanx for all the info!🇺🇸😀
The BY-1 is the first keyer I ever touched. 100s of QSOs later, I've have never found a need to change. I've used the Bencher paddle/MFJ auto keyer for mobile CW.
Very cool!
Danke für das tolle Video,und Informacion.73,de Jozef,OE1CJG.😊😊😊
I bought one when I upgraded from novice in 81. I think the black base was $45 at Amateur Ekectronic Supply. Inflation has hit. I looked online and they are up to about $169.
Hi thanks for all the vids! Would you recommend starting out with a straight or go with iambic paddle key?
I always thought the straight he was more on the advanced side, and if you are thinking about doing anything with getting faster than 15 to 18 words per minute, I would definitely recommend iambic... I personally think it's easier
Your BY1 doesn't have a serial # on the bottom of the base, was that typical? I purchased a used one similar to that without a serial #.
I've seen more paddles without serial numbers than with serial numbers. I think they stopped putting serial numbers on them sometime in the late '80s.
What is the best method to clean the contacts on the keys? Some times my bencher does not make contact. Although I cleaned the contacts with paper and electrical contact cleaner, it still periodically does not make contact. TNX
Bret/AC0AE
Sorry for the delay here. I usually take a piece of paper and run it between the two contacts while I'm squeezing the paddle. That usually takes off any grit or grime and I will usually do that right before I start playing radio for the day. I hope that helps!
Thanks for chiming in on the vid by Cody St. Pierre, but he says that the yellow (which would be RING) wire is not connected, which I don't understand. I know that for a standard key, only two wires are needed, (according to MFJ, they'd be for the TIP and SLEEVE0, but for a paddle, the three wires are needed - so what is Cody St. Pierre talking about????????????????
The ring is not needed because you only need that for a paddle or iambic key. There are only two contacts that are needed. The tip and the sleeve. With the EC-1 kit, it comes with provisions to allow for attachments to an iambic paddle. That's why the yellow/ ring is not used
@@k9kj Okay - so if I were to use a paddle (without the famous "iambic squeeze tango dance step"), I'd need no "yellow' (ring) wire at all, not at the paddle and not at the plug, or do I just need it at the paddle end? I see in the video the yellow wire at the paddle, but is it disconnected from the plug, OR does the system just ignore the "yellow" wire?
I guess that basically, do I use a normal 3.5mm audio plug with three wires intact, or do I solder up a plug/jack with just two wires? I GREATLY appreciate your willingness (and your expertise) to assist - within three hours I'll have my first "paddle", and I want to be ready for it.
I love my Bencher! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😀
Thanks for the advice, as much as I love my Bengali Spark straight key, I think I want a paddle for contests etc. 73's
I'd like to see a comparison between the Bencher and the MFJ clone.
Good idea - I will give that one a try!
@@k9kj ; )
I've never liked iambic, or squeeze, keying, so I use the double paddle but not "iambically"😂 (I got started with an electronic, single-lever paddle in the mid-70's from Ten Tec, the KR-5 & used a 6v battery to power it!)
It took me a long time to get used to squeeze keying
I have two of them, took the bencher stickers off as they annoyed me though 🙂
It also probably helps keep them cleaner without running into that sticker all the time