[CW] Straight Key

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

Hello Fred,

Welcome to CW.  I will guess you're a new comer to the list, or someone that 
had unsigned for a while because we had a wonderful discussion of 
"sideswipers" a few weeks back.  There is a "cootie" calling frequency on 20 
meters of 14,063 and there is a net there at 1900Z on Sundays.

But (and I think your post might have been done to shock us all!) that 
Swedish key worth $100?  I would say so!  It looks almost new!  The price 
the fellow really wants for it is $200 - the "buy it now" price and I think 
that's very fair.

I remember stopping myself in my tracks when I thought about a key for 
myself.  I splurged on the radio, the antenna, and had plenty of money to 
spend wisely, but when it came to a key, $5.00 was about right I thought. 
Where did this thought come from I wondered?  Is it CW operator sabotage? 
What a crazy thought, I realized!

People on SSB think "nothing" about plunking down $100 for a new microphone, 
or even $300.00.

I'm starting to wonder about CW operators!

Are they incredibly thrifty?  Or has someone brainwashed them by telling 
them "keys are so elemental to communications they should be free."

Are we guilty of some sort of "you can't hear the beauty of a good key" 
syndrome?

I doubt that this key if on a production line would cost less than about 
$270.00 retail - I think wholesale production costs would be around $200 for 
this type of key - and that is low.

It is a very long lever Swedish type of key with high quality ball bearings.

These keys are a joy to use!

I think this is what it must be - some sort of "key payment and worth put 
down" that some misguided soul has taught new (and not so new!) hams.

I noticed that I heard that line of thought often.  Buying a $1000 radio is 
ok, a microphone for $300 is fine - but most operators just balk at spending 
anything at all on a great hand key?

I think this must be something that was taught - like a "heresy" of ham 
radio!

Does anyone else see this?  Where did it come from?

73

David Ring, N1EA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <fkamp at comcast.net>>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48706&item=5719958125
>

VERY nice.  That actually looks like it might be worth $100.

About ten years ago I was introduced to a side-swiper.  Since then I
have not been near a straight key like the one listed.  Up and down
works, but side to side is sooooo much easier and simpler to implement
as a home brew device.

Regards,
Frank Kamp