[CW] What is the best telegraph key??

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

Sherrill and Buck,

The idea of a sideways key is good - and most people mount the key so that
they actuate the key by pressing towards the left.

You didn't mention it, Buck, but how do you actuate the key?

Most people that I know who do this, actuate the key by rolling their wrist
on the table rather than by turning their wrist so that it faces the key and
pressing in a traditional manner.  This method does not rely on the fingers
for pressing the knob, but rather the key is activated by contact with the
knuckle of the index finger.

Also there is a method so that the wrist bone is laid on the table and the
fingers are used to activate the key by pressing the knob.

The rolling motion and the lack of use of the fingers - which is identical
by half to the easiest and less stressful way of using a Vibroplex - is
certainly one that eliminates "glass arm" - or carpal tunnel syndrome as it
is now called.  The same method when using a Vibroplex involves
bidirectional movement of the wrist, but is otherwise identical with this
motion.

I've done this method, but I find it to be considerably slower than using a
good quality key (yes, that the $350 keys!) and using the "European" keying
method which also reduces or eliminates glass arm.

By the way, www.begali.it makes and sells quality straight keys - the
cheaper "Post Office" key is correctly recommended on the web site as "for
historical value only" - but is a good key, but is not as good a key as the
"Sparks" key which is excellent.

Also I1QOD Alberto is making an "Italian Coast Station Key" - and that's the
key I want to buy!  He does fine quality work, and he can operate over 60
wpm using a paddle and keyer.  He is one of the top CW operators in the
world - so he knows what a key must do.

73

DR


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherrill Watkins" <SEWATKINS at dgs.state.va.us>
To: <na4fm-list at towncorp.net>; <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 9:18 AM
Subject: RE: [CW] What is the best telegraph key??


Dear Buck: Thank you very much for your comments. Your idea about a side
motion is very interesting. I don't know why that never caught on? Thank's
again -73- Sherrill W. k4own.