After a gap of ten years, TW was 'back in business' with the TW MagPad. The following information about this development came directly from Tom Withers.
The TW MagPad was a precision paddle at an affordable price, manufactured to the exacting standards expected from a long extablished and respected company. In 1960 TW Electronics Ltd commenced the manufacture of a range of VHF equipment for the Radio Amateur, From the outset, quality was paramount and, as winners of two major Manufacturers Awards, TW was proud of its reputation for innovation, reasonable prices and after sales service.
The TW MagPad was designed by Tom Withers G3HGE, a CW operator for over 60 years and the driving force behind TW Electronics Ltd. The TW MagPad could be a user's key to more accurate and effortless sending. Every paddle was personally tested by Tom and came with a signed certificate. The pictures above are of the final production version.
Features
* Heavy brass finish steel base. Brass chassis, bearing plate, levers and pillars.
* Micro fine contact adjustment. 4.5mm contacts plated with 3 microns of 24k gold.
* Tension was provided by Neodymium magnets giving a wide and adjustable range of tension from approx. 10-60 grams.
* Pivots were 3mm diameter silver steel mounted on four high quality miniature ball races.
The TW MagPad had laser cut finger pieces, professionally engineered turned components, micro threading of the contact screws and a pouch for the Allen key.. It was supplied with its adjustment tool and was covered by a lifetime guarantee. It could carry the user's callsign on the bearing top plate. The key weighed 1 kilogram (2.2pounds).
Tom donated one of these magnificent keys to be used as the star raffle prize at a First Class CW Operators Club (FOC) dinner which was held in Milton Keynes during November 2012. This MagPad had no special markings but it did have the Serial Number 00200 and was won by Bob GU4YOX. The photograph below left (courtesy of Nigel G3TXF) shows FOC Committee Secretary Roger G3SXW presenting Bob with his prize, while the photo below right (courtesy of Bob GU4YOX) shows the MagPad in place in Bob's shack.
Watch a video about the TW MagPad (Video courtesy of Sandy G0VQW).
In late 2017 I acquired a MagPad from a ‘silent key’ sale. This key, serial number 145, had belonged to Frank Fish G4YFD .
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