Xiegu VK6 Iambic Morse Paddle Review

--ByIan Poole

Looking for an affordable iambic key? Read our hands-on review of the Xiegu VK6 Morse paddle, covering its build quality, adjustability, and performance for portable and shack use.

Recently I was sent a Xiegu VK6 iambic Morse paddle to review by Radioddity, an international online amateur radio sales distributor.

The Xiegu VK6 represents an interesting shift in the world of Amateur Radio accessories. Historically, high-quality Iambic Morse paddles were the domain of boutique European or American workshops, often carrying price tags that rivaled the cost of a budget HF transceiver.

However, with the explosion in popularity of SDR based transceivers coming out of China, there was a clear market gap for a compact, rugged, and affordable Morse paddle.

In this review, I’ll take a good look at the Xiegu VK6, exploring its construction, "feel" on the air, and whether it deserves a permanent spot in your field kit or on your shack desk.

Delivery and first impressions
　

The key arrived well packed and this prevented the likelihood of any damage, which can be a major concern for packages being in transit internationally.

Video: Wait: Xiegu made a Morse Key

The package contained the key itself as well as two Allen keys for the adjustments and the TRS jack to jack connector to connect the key to the rig, and a set of instructions (primarily for the adjustments).

One initial point to notice is that, although the Xiegu and other rigs may use a stereo 3.5mm jack, many of the mainline rigs like Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu etc will tend to use a 6.5mm 1/4 inch jack. This is easily resolved by using a standard 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter.

The key also feels well made. It is machined and the whole assembly has some weight. It also has a rubber pad across the whole of the bottom, which with its weight will almost stop it slipping across the desk. When sending fast and applying pressure either side, a little finger pressure from the other hand will totally stop any chance of slippage.

The key weighs around 500g, so this is lighter than some of the really high end keys weighing 1.5kg+ that sell for four, five or more times the price.

The whole assembly has a good look about it - clean design and attractive. It looks a really classy item to have in the shack!

Design and Construction

The first thing you notice when unboxing the VK6 is the weight. It has a nice weighty feel to it. The sales details specify it weighs 537 grams, which is 18.9 oz.

The key is machined entirely from aluminum alloy with a matte dark grey anodized finish so it looks really smart. Unlike cheaper plastic keys or 3D-printed kits, the VK6 feels like a piece of properly machined hardware.

Mechanics

The VK6 is a standard Iambic dual-lever paddle. It uses a spring-tension system rather than magnets to return the paddles to their 'off' positions.

While magnetic tension is often preferred by high-speed operators for their "snap," the spring implementation here is very smooth and works well.

The paddles themselves are made of a durable carbon-fibre-style material (or high-impact resin, depending on the production batch), which provides a nice tactile grip.

They aren't as cold to the touch as some paddles can be if they are made of metal. This can be a great advantage if you are operating outdoors for a portable operation.

The "Feel": adjustability and precision

A Morse key is a deeply personal tool. Every operator or user will have his or her preferences about the gap spacing and spring strength. To accommodate as many users preferences as possible, the VK6 offers a number of adjustments.

The VK6 offers three primary points of adjustment:

-Contact Gap: How far the paddle has to move before it triggers a dot or a dash.

-Spring Tension: How much force is required to move the paddle.

-Paddle Alignment: Ensuring the levers sit level.

The adjustments for the gap are made using a screw with lock-nut. There is also a small grub screw which can be tightened to further prevent any chance of movement.

The tension in the spring was also able to be adjusted to suit any individual requirement.

Once set up, however, the key was remarkably consistent. I tested the VK6 at variety of speeds. At the lower end, it is effortless. At 30+ WPM, you begin to notice that it doesn't quite have the "lightness" of a Begali, but for a key at this price point, the lack of "slop" or lateral play in the bearings is very impressive.

On-Air Performance: Portable vs. Desktop

The Xiegu can be used for both desktop or base station use and also for portable use.

-Portable Operation (SOTA/POTA): Its slim profile means it slides into a backpack pocket without catching on cables. The 3.5mm jack is located at the rear, keeping the cable runs clean.

-Desktop Use: In the shack, the VK6 is a great here as well. It doesn't take up much space on the desk. However, because it is not as heavy as some, it will "walk" across the table a bit during high-speed sending if not secured. A finger from the other hand pressing down on it will sort the problem. But is certainly has a nice 'feel' on the desk.

Maintenance and longevity

One of the beauties of a mechanical key is its simplicity. The VK6 is easy to strip down and clean, although personally, I don't anticipate having to do this.

Over time, the silver-plated contacts may develop a slight oxide layer (especially in salty coastal air) or they may ge dirty with portable operation. Just a quick swipe with a piece of clean card (not sandpaper!) between the contacts should usually restore perfect conductivity. Rigs these days don't switch large amounts of current so the contacts should stay clean.

Also, the bearings are shielded, so they shouldn't require attention. In the time I've used the key, I haven't noticed any issues with the pivots or anything else, which suggests the tolerances are held quite tight during manufacturing.

The Verdict: Is it Worth It?
　

As with any product there are pros and cons to its use, but overall the Xiegu VK6 performed very well, and it will be in use for a long time to come in my shack.

The Pros:

-Price-to-Quality Ratio: Unbeatable in the current market.
-Build Quality: Solid alloy construction feels premium.
-Portability: Tiny footprint but doesn't feel in any way flimsy.
　

The Cons:

-Weight: Too light for un-mounted desktop use at high speeds - can tend to move when being keyed, but a finger (fromt he other hand) on top will prevent any movement.
-Spring-Only: No magnetic tension option for those who prefer that feel. But personally, I found it fine.

Final thoughts

The Xiegu VK6 is a great Morse paddle, especially for the price. It isn't trying to be a piece of jewellery for your desk (although it does look good); it’s a tool designed to get you on the air from a mountaintop, a park bench, or a cramped hotel room, of your home radio shack. If you are a new CW operator looking for your first "real" paddle, or a seasoned pro looking for a rugged field key or home key that you won't cry over if it gets a scratch, the VK6 is an easy recommendation.

The key captures the spirit of modern amateur radio: really accessible pricing, and good overall performance. Yes, you can buy the really top range paddles which are great, but they cost three, four, may be even five times as much.

In summary, you won't get much better value than this key. It works well, I'm pleased with mine and for the price you just can't beat it.

Reprinted from: https://www.electronics-notes.com/store-shop/ham-radio-reviews/xiegu-vk6-iambic-paddle-key.php