[CW] What is the best telegraph key??

[Sherrill Watkins]

Gentlemen: I really do appreciate Don and David's comments and others about
my key question. Without actually owning one of the Marconi or Swedish keys I
am unable to really appreciate the comments made about those. However, from
hearing everyone's favorable comments about the Marconi, I wish I was in a
financial position to "justify to myself" the purchase of one. Perhaps, after
using one, I could see the value of $350 for one, considering all of the
manufacturing and quality control procedures it goes through. After all, I am
sure the cost of producing a brand new Bunnell Triumph would be expensive, if
it was made to the same quality level of 90 years ago. Also, the old keys
were not chrome plated. Other less expensive metals were used such as nickel.
However, for the time being, I will just have to be content with my Triumph
and envious of those of financial means who have the resources to own a $350
straight key! -73- Sherrill W.    

-----Original Message-----
From: Donald Chester [mailto:k4kyv at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2004 2:31 PM
To: cw at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [CW] What is the best telegraph key??



>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.


Wouldn't OSHA have a heyday if those were in civilian use today!  Imagine 
all the warning labels on the equipment and the lawsuits that would result 
every time someone got even mildly zapped.  The safety police would have a 
ball.

Don K4KYV

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