I have two excellent pieces of equipment, the Yaesu FT 817 and the Palm Mini-Paddle, which I have combined into an integral unit. The Mini-Paddle comes with an optional magnetic base, however, there is no where on the FT 817 where it can be placed and be in a comfortable operating position, so using this paddle meant attaching it to some kind of base and operating on the desk top in the conventional manner.
The FT 817 has the option of keying the built-in keyer with the mic up and down buttons, enabled in menu # 36. I took advantage of this feature and modified my Mini- Paddle by installing an RJ 45 plug in the base and added an offset tongue to engage the strap bracket on the rig.
The paddle may still be retracted into the housing just as it was intended. To attach the paddle you first engage the tongue into the slot of the strap bracket, and then swing the assembly inward to insert the plug until the locking click is heard. This secures the paddle in an ideal operating position. The paddle can be left attached unless the microphone is needed for phone operation, then a thin piece of whatever is handy, can be inserted between the rig and paddle to release the locking clip on the RJ 45 plug. The paddle may then be removed in the reverse order of attachment.
I have found that having the rig and paddle configured this way is preferable especially when operating portable.
Attached
Detached
|
