[CW] What is the best telegraph key??

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

David,

I'm sorry but I believe what you've said about the "drawer pull knob" is
incorrect.

The British often used "drawer pull knobs" on they keys, but they are not
called Navy knobs.

Most foreign navies used an enclosed telegraph key, with the lever at ground
potential there was NO danger of any electric shock.  The contacts of the
key were well hidden inside the key cover.

However, the U.S. Navy usually did NOT protect the key contacts (and USA
keys usually only had one set of contacts at the front, while the foreign
keys often had a forward AND rear contact for switching.

Because the key was not protected and the anvil (the part which the key
lever strikes which includes the lower silver contact) is exposed, a safety
disk was placed under the key knob to prevent the operator from slipping on
the key and contacting the exposed lower contact.

Concerning the Marconi 365.  It came in several versions Marconi 365, 365A,
365B, and then there were 365C and 365D keys which often were made out of
spare parts at the Marconi Parts Depots around the world.  Later a smaller
version was made called the Marconi 365EZ and still later the Marconi 365FZ.
All of these keys have a wonderful touch to them.

Mr. Wyn Davies of Wales published an article in Morsum Magnificant about
this wonderful series of keys, this article is hyperlinked at the top of
this page, and lower on the page there are some pictures of the beautiful
Marconi 365 keys,
http://www.bluesardinia.com/telegraph/marconi365.html

Sherrill, I have several Marconi keys - I rotate them.  They're excellent
keys, but I keep on considering that beautiful GHD key that David mentioned.
My favorite key right now is the Amplidan key which is made in Copenhagen.
They are also an high quality key.

I hear from some people that the GHD key is even better because it has a
heavier and longer lever which allows a nice rhythm to be set up in the key.

The biggest difference between the SRS Swedish key and the Marconi keys is
the Swedish key has a leaf spring, while the Marconi keys use either roller
or sleave bearings and a coil spring.  The design of the Swedish key and the
leaf spring eliminated the side to side movement - the key is literally
suspended by the leaf spring - it floats!

73

DR




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Toepfer" <davetoepfer at yahoo.com>
To: <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 4:50 PM
Subject: RE: [CW] What is the best telegraph key??


The "drawer pull knob" as you describe it is a Navy knob.  It's purpose was
to
pretect the fingers if they slipped from touching the arm which used to
carry
higher currents or voltages (depending on whether you  are talking about
spark
or tube transmitters) in days gone by.

The GHD key is not an actual Marconi 365, but has been compared very well to
it
by people who have used them and lamented the fact that they could not get
one.
 Actually, the price is not out of line when you start looking at the proces
of
quality machine work.  It is chrome plated (brass tarnishes and pits) and
has a
micrometer adjustment from one of the world leaders in such precision
instruments.  And I have never head of the mass being of any concern on this
key.

The Swedish Pump key is hardly fragile and is used and reviered by some of
the
top speed straight key officionaddos.

Please, do not take tes rest personally, as it is addressed to others as
well
who have replied to my post here and in email...

One can think of $350 as a fortune, and to some it is, but it is all a
matter
of priorities.  You will pay as much for a fine set of paddles.  Some might
think $50 for a bottle of tequila or $150 for a bottle of whiskey or cognac
is
a fortune, but I know people people who would think nothing of buyinig a
fine
bottles of Patron or Chivas or Martell by the case.  It's a matter of where
you
prefer to enjoy the finer things in life.  For example, when I was in Tokyo,
I
payed about $120 for a Kobe Beef dinner.  This is something you will pay
$300
for if you want it in the US (and it is any good).  But was it a waste?  Not
on
your life.  I am nto a beef eater, but this steak was like Butta'.

Yes, there is always a point of diminishing returns.  And people have other
things to pay for like kids for example.  But I will say I have been glad to
pay more up front for things that will last longer than I will and are worth
repairing.  But if one is not willing to pay the cost of the best then it is
kind of silly to ask what is the best and then whine about the price when
someone tells you (their opinion).  Plenty of people I know own cars that
cost
them $40,000 - $60,000.  I would consider this a waste.  I would rather
spend
that money on Traveling with my wife.

If you just want a Straight Key to sit on the desk to take out on Straight
Key
Night then you don't need the best key.  You need one you can live with for
one
night a year.  If all I needed my car for was to drive it to the grocery
store
once a month then I would be more than happy with beat up old Nissan Sentra
(which my sister owned actually and which we took across country and back at
80-100mph with a 400lb motorcycle in pieces in the trunk).

BTW, I do own a Triumph Legless and it has never struck me as any nicer than
a
Nye Speed-X or the Lionel J-38 I just sold.  The Signal Electric R60
Wireless I
just sold had a more solid feel.  I actually have never liked the
click/thunk
of the Triumph Legless on open.  I keep it because it was the first key I
ever
bought and is from my first ham fest (though this sentimentality may not
last
forever).  I think my Nye master key (like my Elmer Tony, WA2ZFU (SK) had
which
I used on my first QSO) is nicer for a low/american-style key (so long as
you
put the a 5th foot under the switch to prevent flex/slop).

kb3ipe

dt
.

_______________________________________________
CW mailing list
CW at mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw