Palm Radio Mini Paddle
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| Frequency | n/a |
| Power | A passive iambic paddle, not a radio. It needs the transceiver's built-in keyer or an external electronic keyer to turn its two contacts into Morse. |
| Modes | CW (compact dual-lever iambic paddle for portable use) |
| Weight | 50 g (1.8 oz) |
| key | Connects via its cable to the radio's KEY (paddle) jack (typically a 3.5 mm plug); requires the radio's internal keyer or an outboard electronic keyer |
| power req | None; it is a passive paddle driven by the radio's internal keyer or an outboard electronic keyer. |
Possibly the most travel-friendly real paddle made: at around 50 grams it disappears into a go-kit, the mechanism retracts into a metal case so it survives a backpack, and the magnetic base lets you stick it to the radio or any steel surface in several orientations - or just hold it in your hand. Despite the size, contact spacing and spring tension adjust for a genuinely good feel, and it has a strong reliability reputation.
It is a premium-priced accessory for its size, and like any paddle it needs an electronic keyer and a cable to the radio. The very small finger pieces and light mass are a different feel from a heavy desk paddle - great for portable, less ideal as a primary home key - and the magnetic mount needs a steel surface (or the hand-hold technique) to stay put.
The Palm Radio Mini Paddle is a benchmark portable iambic paddle: about 50 grams, retractable into a protective metal case, with a magnetic multi-orientation base and adjustable action. It was made for QRP, SOTA and travel operators who want a real, precise paddle that packs to almost nothing; for a primary desk key a larger, heavier paddle is more comfortable.
The Palm Radio Mini Paddle is a tiny, rugged iambic paddle built for operating away from the desk - QRP outings, summit activations and travel. Made by Palm Radio in Germany, it measures only about 100 by 25 by 25 mm and weighs roughly 50 grams, yet it is a genuine precision paddle rather than a toy. Like any paddle it is passive: its two contacts feed the radio's electronic keyer, which generates the Morse.
Its clever feature is the case. The paddle mechanism recesses fully into a protective metal housing for transport, so it can knock around a backpack unharmed; you slide it out to the operating position to use it, and it lifts out entirely when you want to adjust the contact spacing or paddle travel. The base is magnetic and lets the key snap on from either side or the bottom, so you can stick it to your radio or any steel surface in whatever orientation suits you - or simply hold it in your hand and send, a technique many portable operators use.
Despite the miniature size, the contact gap and spring tension are adjustable for a personalized feel, and the Mini Paddle has earned a strong reputation for reliability. It connects to the radio's key jack through its cable and works with any electronic keyer. It typically sells for around $90-120 - a premium for the size, but it is the kind of accessory that lives permanently in a go-kit.
For desk use a larger paddle like the Bencher BY-1 or the Kent Twin Paddle is more comfortable, but few keys match the Mini Paddle for packing light.