Tag: accessories

My Dollar Sling Pack

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking about some POTA/WWFF activations that would take advantage of the Elecraft KH1’s portability. In particular, I’ve been looking into locations that require a little hiking to reach. So, I had been looking for a small pack that will carry both my KH1 and a water bottle. I found one at an unbelievable price, which included free shipping from halfway around the world. 

I had been doing some casual searching on a few websites when I came across a pack from AliExpress that caught my eye. It appeared to be just what I had been looking for, and the price was a mere $0.99 USD with free shipping. According to the website, it was a special sale price for new customers. I hadn’t ordered from AliExpress in quite some time, so they must have considered me a new customer.

I assumed there had to be a catch, but I couldn’t see one. There was no minimum order and no mention of additional import charges. So, I took a chance. If it didn’t suit my needs, I could always pass it along to one of my grandkids. Still somewhat sceptical, I placed my order and paid a grand total of $1.05, which included the obligatory Pennsylvania sales tax. 

If the low price wasn’t enough, I had the package on my porch six days after I placed the order. My (far) better half brought the package in and said, “It’s another bag, isn’t it?” You see, she is well aware of my obsession with bags and packs and gives me a disapproving look when another one comes into the house. Even after I told her what I had paid for it, she remained unimpressed.

Fully expecting a piece of junk, I ripped open the package. I was pleasantly surprised by what I found inside. The 900D Oxford material seemed substantial. The stitching was decent with no loose threads, and the zippers worked smoothly. The overall construction seemed pretty good considering what I paid for it.

My Dollar Sling Pack. The callsign patch and water bottle were added by me. Actually, the callsign patch cost a lot more than the sling pack.
My Dollar Sling Pack. The callsign patch and water bottle were added by me. Actually, the callsign patch cost a lot more than the sling pack.

As I had hoped, the main compartment was the perfect size to hold the Pelican M50 Micro Case I keep my KH1 in. There’s also a little room for a few extras if needed. There’s a pouch on the front, which would be perfect for carrying wire antennas, some small coax, and the like. And finally, there’s another small compartment on the front that I’m currently using to hold a few first aid items and a copy of my amateur radio license. It also has a panel for a small Velcro morale patch. 

There’s a mesh bottle holder on the side, which is something I was looking for. It’s a little small, but it will still accommodate a 16.9 ounce (500mL) plastic water bottle. Of course, with a pack this small, I wouldn’t expect to carry a huge water bottle. I found a lightweight 17-ounce bottle on Amazon that fits nicely. 

These product offerings come and go frequently, so I’m always wary of providing links to websites like this. However, below is a screenshot from the AliExpress website showing the bag I purchased. 

This was the listing on the AliExpress website for my $0.99 sling pack.

Is this the greatest bag in the world? Not really. Time will tell how long it holds up. But for the paltry sum I paid for it, it won’t take long to get my money’s worth out of it. 

As usual, I have no financial interest in any products mentioned here, and there are no affiliate links. I’m just a sucker for a bargain.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Another Mouse in the House

Last year, I purchased the CWMouse paddles from KN6FQM, and they have seen some heavy use in the field. They have become my go-to paddles for portable use. Starting in 2026, Mike made an improvement in the material he uses for 3D printing, so I added a second set of CWMouse paddles to my arsenal.

You can get the details on the CWMouse paddles from the website, so I won’t repeat them here. However, they are 3D printed and use microswitches for the contacts. There are no adjustments for paddle tension or throw, but they have a great feel just as they are. If that’s not enough, priced at $39.00 USD (plus shipping and handling), they are extremely affordable. 

The CWMouse paddles attached to my clipboard
The CWMouse paddles attached to my clipboard

Prior to 2026, Mike printed them with PLA plastic. According to the website, PLA is susceptible to softening and deforming when stored at temperatures above 100F. This hasn’t been an issue for me, but I have been careful about how I store them during the warmer months. 

Starting in 2026, Mike prints the CWMouse components with PETG, a more temperature-resistant material. That sounded good to me, so I fired off an order for another set of paddles. To tell the two paddles apart, I had my callsign added to the new ones.

The new paddles arrived just in time for my vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As of the time of this post, Mike doesn’t offer a magnetic option for mounting. No problem. I just glued some magnets on the bottom, so I could attach the paddles to the steel strips on my clipboard. 

The assortment of magnets I glued to the bottom of my CWMouse paddles
The assortment of magnets I glued to the bottom of my CWMouse paddles

I used the new paddles all week on the Outer Banks, during the recent Skeeter Hunt QRP contest, and a couple of POTA activations. As with the older paddles, they performed flawlessly and had a great feel. The CWMouse paddles have a light touch, which is my preference. 

If you are in the market for great paddles at an affordable price, take a look at the CWMouse paddles. 

I should also note that I have no financial interest in this product; I purchased my paddles with my own funds. If you haven’t been able to tell, I’m just a satisfied customer. 

73, Craig WB3GCK

Thinking Inside the Box

I’ve been very happy with the soft case that came with my Elecraft KH1 Edgewood Package. It has room enough for the KH1 and most of the accessories I typically use with it. Although I’ve been very careful with the KH1, I somehow damaged the stock Elecraft paddles that came with it. I’m not sure how I managed to do that, but that prompted me to start looking into a hard case for transporting this expensive little radio.

[Note: This post is not sponsored, and there are no affiliate links.]

Fortunately, others have gone before me in this quest, so there are a variety of boxes that others have tried. KR8L wrote a blog post about using a Pelican 1040 case for his KH1. K4SWL had a blog post and an excellent video showing a bunch of hard cases suitable for the KH1. Somewhere online I saw mention of the Apache 550 as a less expensive option from Harbor Freight. Commercially, Tufteln sells a Pelican M40 case modified to fit the KH1 and its whip antenna.

Now that I had a mind-boggling array of options to consider, it was time for the next phase of my project: over-thinking and over-analyzing. 

While most KH1 users carry the bare minimum of items to get on the air. I, however, tend to over-pack. With the original soft case, I could carry everything I needed for pedestrian-mobile, picnic-table-portable, and stationary-mobile operations. Being a soft case, it has a little “give” to it when I squeeze in some extra items. So, for my purposes, I wanted a box at least large enough to hold everything I carried in the soft case.

After much agonizing, I settled on the Pelican M50. With exterior dimensions of 8.10 x 5.50 x 2.90 inches, it’s somewhat larger than others use. However, it easily holds everything I carried in the soft case—and then some.

Pelican M50 MicroCase with my KH1 and accessories (see text for contents)
Pelican M50 MicroCase with my KH1 and accessories (see text for contents)

Here’s what I have in there:

I placed the KH1 on top of the counterpoise wires for some cushioning, but the KH1 still flopped around a bit. I found that placing a 3×5 inch notepad under the KH1 kept it in place with the lid closed. So, the notepad and a full-size mechanical pencil are now part of the kit. No problem, since they will get used for picnic table operations. 

Pelican M50 MicroCase. The counterpoise wires and a notepad are under the KH1.
Pelican M50 MicroCase. The counterpoise wires and a notepad are under the KH1.

Although I already have a bunch of stuff packed in there, I’m still thinking about adding a random wire antenna and maybe some throw line. I might just keep that stuff in my backpack, though. We’ll see.

So that’s what I wound up with. In typical fashion, I probably packed more than I should have, but the overall weight of my backpack hasn’t increased very much. Plus, I like to think I’m minimizing the possibility of forgetting something in the field.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Keeping My CW Fist Warm

My old, arthritic fingers aren’t what they used to be, especially when sending CW in colder weather. I’ve tried a variety of gloves over the years, but they have each had their drawbacks. Recently, my (far) better half stumbled across an inexpensive pair of gloves that seem to be just what I’ve been looking for. 

[Note: This post is not sponsored, and there are no affiliate links.]

I mentioned my cold weather CW dilemma to my (far) better half in passing, and she found an interesting pair of gloves on Amazon a few minutes later. They are the Glider Touch Screen gloves for $8.99 (USD). At that price, I took a chance and fired off an order to try them. After measuring my hand and using their sizing guide, I went with the large size. Glider Gloves is a Canadian company, and our friends to the north certainly know a thing or two about cold weather.

Some reviewers on Amazon complained about these gloves having a snug fit, but that’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I use iambic (squeeze) keying and paddles with a light touch, so bulky gloves can make accurate sending difficult.

This is how I normally send while holding a pencil. These touchscreen gloves allow me to do that with no problems.
This is how I normally send while holding a pencil. These touchscreen gloves allow me to do that with no problems.

I tried my new gloves during a recent POTA/WWFF activation. They definitely have a snug fit, but they conform nicely to the shape of my fingers. There’s no excess material in the fingertips to interfere with keying. Normally, I use the paddles while holding a pencil, so I can quickly alternate between keying and logging. I found I could still do that with no issues. My log’s legibility was no worse than my normal chicken scratch. 

My Glider Gloves. (See the Amazon website for better pictures)
The Glider Gloves. (See the Amazon website for much better pictures.)

They also worked great when I entered my spotting information using my cell phone. To facilitate use with touch screens, they have some copper woven right into the material. My typing on the phone was about the same as my normal “fat-fingering.” 

Since they are thin and form-fitting and have some non-slip material on the palms, they are good for other tasks requiring manual dexterity. Normally, I have to take my gloves off at some point when installing the antenna on my truck. This time, however, I had the Glider gloves on and had no problems screwing the parts together.

The temperature in the truck during my brief activation was about 45° F (7° C), and my hands stayed reasonably warm. The manufacturer says they’re good for “moderate temperatures,” so I probably wouldn’t wear them on an Artic expedition. Regardless, they are a whole lot better than no gloves at all—which is how I sometimes operated in the cold. I can also put my regular gloves on over them if I need to take a break from sending.

I had hoped to use them during Winter Field Day this year, but some personal obligations and a snowstorm forced me to sit this one out. According to the weather forecasts, we have a lot more winter weather ahead of us here in Pennsylvania, so I’m sure these gloves will still get plenty of use.

There are lots of similar gloves on the market, so there may be better options out there. Since I tend to avoid operating in extremely low temperatures anyway, I think these should do the job for me.

72, Craig WB3GCK

TUMD Stainless Steel Paddles

I mentioned in a previous posting that I have a fascination (obsession) with unusual CW paddles. These paddles are the last in a series of recent purchases (but I doubt it).

These rather industrial-looking paddles are not new; they have been around for a while. They are often sold under various brand names or no name at all. The eBay listing I purchased mine from didn’t specify a particular brand, but they came branded as “TUMD.” The paddles I ordered were shipped from China and took about a month to arrive.

I’m not providing a specific link, since these things are available all over the place. Just search on “stainless steel paddles” and you’re sure to find them.

The Tumd paddles attached to my clipboard. The three magnets are super strong.
The Tumd paddles attached to my clipboard. The three magnets are super strong.

Here’s what was included in the box:

  • The paddles, of course
  • A stereo cable with 3.5mm connectors
  • A two-piece plastic case large enough to hold the paddles and cable
  • Two Allen wrenches
  • A small adhesive metal disc for applying to the surface of your choice
The accessories I received with my Tumd stainless steel paddles.
The accessories I received with my Tumd stainless steel paddles.

The first thing that struck me was that these paddles are built like a tank. The base has three powerful magnets, which I like. At the rear of the paddles next to the 3.5mm jack, is a small slide switch for reversing the “dit” and “dah” paddles. They look great, but my purchase was not without a couple of minor issues right off the bat. 

Based on the picture in the eBay listing, I ordered a version of the paddles with smaller, square paddles. What I received, however, was a version with larger paddles reminiscent of the fins on a 1959 Cadillac. Instead of going through the hassle of returning them to China, I opted to keep them.

The next issue was adjusting the paddle spacing. As received, the paddles had different spacing. The paddles each have a hex bolt within a larger locknut of some sort. There were no instructions provided, and neither of the included Allen wrenches fit. Fortunately, Charlie NJ7V over at the Red Summit RF YouTube channel provided all the answers I needed. He has a video detailing how to adjust them and what size wrenches you need. I had the tools I needed in my toolbox, so I had the paddles adjusted to my liking in short order. 

I’ve used these paddles on quite a few outings and have grown to like them a lot. Here are some pros and cons from my viewpoint—your mileage may vary:

Pros:

  • The three magnets on the bottom are seriously strong. They hold tight to the steel strips on my clipboard. I love that!
  • Once adjusted, they have a great feel and key reliably. They do, however, require a slightly heavier touch. That’s a matter of personal preference, so others may disagree. 

Cons:

  • Weighing in at 3.8 ounces (106 grams), they are heavier than other paddles I use in the field. This is a minor issue or no issue at all, depending on how you operate.
  • You need two tools to adjust the paddle spacing. From what I’ve seen online, some sellers include both wrenches; mine did not. Again, this is also a minor issue, since the paddle adjustments hold very well and shouldn’t need further adjusting in the field.

Lately, these paddles have been my first choice for portable operation. For $50 (US) or less, they are a pretty decent value.

73, Craig WB3GCK

The Ashi Paddle 45

After my inexpensive QU-21C paddles started acting up again during a recent activation, I went on a paddle binge, ordering some new, reasonably-priced paddles to try out. First up was the CWMouse paddles, which I really like. Next was the Ashi Paddle 45 purchased from N6ARA Electronics. 

The paddles are designed and built by 7L4WVU in Japan and imported by N6ARA. I’ve had my eye on these paddles for a while, so I thought I’d buy them and give them a go.

After using the Ashi paddles on a few POTA/WWFF activations, I thought I’d document my impressions.

General: I was looking for small paddles to keep in my Elecraft KH1 kit, and the Ashi Paddle 45 fits the bill. They measure approximately 1-1/16″ x 2-1/8″ x 1″ (27mm x 54mm x 25.4mm) and weigh just 1.1 ounce (32g) with the magnetic mount attached. They are constructed from high quality 3D printing, and come with two mounting options: a magnetic mount and a leg strap. Two screws are provided for attaching the paddles to the mount you choose. 

The Ashi Paddle 45 leg mount (left), the paddles with the magnetic mount attached (upper right), and the protective case for the paddles.
The Ashi Paddle 45 leg mount (left), the paddles with the magnetic mount attached (upper right), and the protective case for the paddles.

Overall Feel: Like the CWMouse paddles, the Ashi Paddle 45 uses microswitches for the contacts. Thus, the tension and throw are not adjustable. Of course, paddle spacing and tension are matters of personal preference. Being an Iambic Mode B user, timing is critical, so I prefer narrow spacing and light tension. The Ashi paddles’ spacing seems slightly wider than the CWMouse paddles, and the tension feels just a bit heavier. 

When I first started using the Ashi paddles, I would occasionally get an extraneous “dit” when forming characters with a single squeeze, like the letter K. My guess is the microswitches are a little slow breaking contact after releasing the paddles. I have to send more deliberately and remove my fingers completely from the paddles after each character. Fortunately, it didn’t take long to get used to the feel, and I had no issues sending with the paddles. Of course, this is all based on my personal preferences, so your mileage may—and probably will—vary. 

The Ashi paddles attached magnetically to my clipboard
The Ashi paddles attached magnetically to my clipboard

Mounting: My preferred method of sending is with the paddles attached magnetically to my little clipboard or a kneeboard for my KH1. So, naturally, I tried the magnetic mount first. Like my QU-21C paddles, the body of the key is small relative to the paddles. This makes magnetic mounting problematic. When I attach the paddles to a steel surface (like on my clipboard), they have a tendency to move side to side when keying. I have to use my hand to keep them steady. Not a huge thing, but I’d prefer they didn’t move at all. I have an idea in mind for an improved magnetic mount. If that works out, I’ll do a separate post on it. 

Using the Ashi paddles on a KH1 kneeboard
Using the Ashi paddles on a KH1 kneeboard

I haven’t used the leg mount in the field, but it worked great in the shack. That would probably be a great mounting option in some situations. The leg mount is cleverly designed so that you can angle the paddles to the left or right, if you like.

Overall, I like these paddles. Once I adapted to the feel, they worked reliably in the field. So, the Ashi paddles definitely replaced my quirky QU-21C paddles in my backpack.

72, Craig WB3GCK

Trying Out a KH1 Kneeboard

I ordered a KH1 kneeboard from Tufteln, and it arrived in the mail earlier this week. I was out of town for most of the week, so today was my first opportunity to try it out. 

I drove down to Ridley Creek State Park (US-1414, KFF-1414) and headed up to one of the picnic areas. This area is one of the highest elevations in the park. My original plan was to set up in an out-of-the-way clearing in the woods, but with rain in the forecast I thought it would be smarter to stay close to my truck. (Spoiler alert: It was.)

I backed my truck into a parking space away from everyone else and set up a 12-foot whip and my homebrew loading coil on the back of the truck. Next, I ran 18 feet of RG-8x coax over to my camping chair. 

My 12-foot loaded whip mounted on my truck
My 12-foot loaded whip mounted on my truck

I ordered the kneeboard version with a metal plate for magnetic mount paddles. Mike KE8PTX, designer of the kneeboard, recommends using a short audio cable with right-angle connectors for connecting your paddles to the KH1. I bought a couple but neglected to bring them along this morning. Instead, I used a 3-foot cable. It was a little awkward, but worked just fine. 

The leg strap provided with the kneeboard was easy to adjust and comfortable to use. I used my CWMouse paddles, and the magnets I glued onto them held on to the kneeboard’s metal plate with no issues. For logging, I used a 3” x 5” weatherproof notebook, which I balanced on my leg by the kneeboard. 

The KH1 and CWMouse paddles mounted on the Tufteln KH1 Knee Board
The KH1 and CWMouse paddles mounted on the Tufteln KH1 Knee Board

Settled comfortably into my chair, I got started on 40M. After logging a quick eight contacts, the hunters thinned out. I eventually made my required 10 contacts plus a few more before moving to 30M. After logging eight contacts on 30M, I moved to 20M for five more.

After an hour on the air, I felt a few raindrops and figured I had better pack up. That was an excellent decision, as it started raining as soon as I put the KH1 in the truck. I quickly took down my antenna and tossed my chair in the back of the truck.

My radio backpack

Although the rain interrupted my activation, I ended up with 27 contacts. Some highlights included:

  • I got a call from F1BLL on 20M. He was an honest 599 into southeastern Pennsylvania this morning.
  • I worked fellow Polar Bear QRP member VE3DN on 40M and 30M. 
  • W9DP and W9GTA each hunted me on two bands.

I have to say that I really enjoyed using the kneeboard. In fact, this might be my new favorite way to operate with the KH1.

72, Craig WB3GCK

KH1 Picnic Table Ops

My (far) better half and I had plans to go watch our grandson’s soccer game yesterday, but I still squeezed in a short, early morning activation. I headed over to nearby Valley Forge National Historical Park (US-0761, KFF-0761) and allotted myself an hour of operating time. While I was there, I tried out a few things with my Elecraft KH1.

I set up the KH1 at a picnic table and used the whip antenna and AXE1 extender coil. I supported the antenna with a right-angle adapter from Tufteln. This was the first opportunity I had to use the adapter, so I was anxious to try it out. For my counterpoise, I used a homebrew setup with a 13-ft wire and a 20-foot extension for 40M.

The KH1 with the AXE1 loading coil for 40M/30M and the Tufteln right-angle adapter.
The KH1 with the AXE1 loading coil for 40M/30M and the Tufteln right-angle adapter.

I also gave my CWMouse paddles another go. I glued four small magnets to them the night before, so I wanted to see how they worked with my clipboard. KE8PTX had a Facebook post recently in which he mentioned using painter’s tape on the metal surface of his knee board to give his paddles a little extra traction. As luck would have it, I was doing some painting this week and had some tape handy. I put some on the steel strips on my clipboard right before I left the house. 

I glued some magnets to my CWMouse paddles. The blue painter's tape helps the magnets get a better grip. You can see the notation I made in my log for my 10th contact.
I glued some magnets to my CWMouse paddles. The blue painter’s tape helps the magnets get a better grip on the steel strips glued to the clipboard. You can also see the notation I made in my log for my 10th contact.

With everything set up, I tuned up the KH1 and got started. My results on 40M really surprised me. Although my signal reports were on the low side, I was getting some decent spots on the Reverse Beacon Network. It took only 13 minutes to log my first 10 contacts. I continued making contacts for 30 minutes, while brushing ants off of my log. (I think there was an anthill under the picnic table. Doh!)

I spent the rest of my hour-long activation on 30M and 20M. There was less activity there, but I picked up a few more contacts on each band.

When my hour was up, I packed up and gave the ants exclusive use of the picnic table. I finished up with 25 contacts in my log; I’ve done much worse with much better antennas. The KH1 did an amazing job with just the whip antenna, and my modified CWMouse paddles worked great attached to my clipboard. 

As you can probably tell, I’m having fun with my new rig. 

72, Craig WB3GCK

My Bulging Battery

Last week I was using one of my Evolve III Maestro E-Books during our local ARES-RACES NBEMS digital net. I noticed the keyboard had developed a hump in the middle. Having seen this once before in another laptop, I immediately knew what was causing it: a bulging battery. As a precaution, I disabled the battery in the Windows Device Manager and continued running solely on AC power.

The next day I opened up the laptop to remove the battery. That was fairly simple to do. I just needed to remove nine tiny Phillips screws to open the case. Then I removed five more tiny screws holding the battery and unplugged the battery cable. It was a painless process. 

Searching the Internet, I found some sources for replacement batteries. I ended up buying one on eBay from a seller that ships from New Jersey. Of course, that convenience came at a price. I ended up paying $40 for a battery to put in a $90 laptop. Yikes!

It's not a great a picture, but you can see how bloated the old battery was. In comparison, the new battery is perfectly flat.
This isn’t a great a picture, but you can see how bloated the old battery was. It’s hard to tell with the lousy lighting, but the new battery is perfectly flat.

A week after I first noticed the problem, I had a brand new battery in my mailbox. It took about 15 minutes to open the laptop, install the new battery, and put it all back together again. Happily, it survived the “smoke test” and charged up normally. Back in business!

Yeah, $40 is steep investment for such a cheap laptop, but I really like this little thing. Hopefully, it’s got a couple more years left in it. 

73, Craig WB3GCK

Captain John Smith Trail with the Gabil GRA-7350TC Antenna

My (far) better half and I spent the weekend in Central Pennsylvania watching the grandkids, while our second harmonic and her husband were off celebrating their anniversary. Of course, I took some radio gear along to do some QRP-portable operating while I was out there.

I had a brief window of opportunity on Saturday morning, so I drove to the Falmouth Access boat launch along the Susquehanna River to activate the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail (US-4567). Since we used the (far) better half’s car this weekend, I used this opportunity to try out my Gabil GRA-7350TC vertical and magnetic mount on her car for the first time. I also brought along my trusty Penntek TR-35 (5 watts, CW).

The Gabil GRA-7350TC & mag mount on my (far) better half's car, while activating the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (US-4567)
The Gabil GRA-7350TC & mag mount on my (far) better half’s car, while activating the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail (US-4567)

To facilitate tuning the vertical, I used a recently acquired Mini60 analyzer I bought off AliExpress. It’s cheap and a little quirky, but it’s small and its simple SWR readings got the job done. I started on 40M and got the SWR down to 1.3:1 without adding radials. That’s better than I had ever gotten on my pickup truck. I guess the roof on my XYL’s little SUV provides a better ground plane than my truck.

The Mini60 Antenna Analyzer. I found a case on Temu just the right size to hold Mini60 and some accessories.
The Mini60 Antenna Analyzer. I found a case on Temu just the right size to hold the Mini60 and some accessories.

Band conditions were generally lousy, and there was some horrendous local noise in 40M and 20M. I didn’t experience any noise issues the last time I activated from here. Despite all that, I managed to scrape together 17 contacts in about 35 minutes, including one with F4ILH on 17M. Also, thanks to W5KEB for working me on two bands. (My apologies to a couple of hunters I couldn’t pull out of the crazy noise in 40M and 20M.)

Even though the bands weren’t too hot, I was pleased with the performance of the Gabil antenna. It’s another good antenna option when I’m using my (far) better half’s car (or any car, for that matter). 

72, Craig WB3GCK