[CW] Definitions??? key, keyer etc.

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

Hello Ken,

Always nice to hear from you.

I remember that circuits that were intermediate between the key and the 
transmitter were called keying circuits, or keyers.  In the Johnson (and 
other) transmitters the tube that keyed the final amplifier (and often in 
the Johnson transmitters, that circuit sequentially keyed the oscillator, 
bujffers and then the output tubes) were called "keyers".

If the device was electronic (vacuum tube or transistor) it was called a 
keyer, if it was a relay it was called a "keying relay".

The W9TO circuit which was a vacuum tube device that produced dot and dash 
sized pulses fed to a mercury wetted relay output was called a "TO Keyer".

In the USA the devices used to accuate such a device is called "Paddles" 
because the shape of the finger pieces looks like a canoe paddle.  The first 
such devices were modified Vibroplex bugs, which had finger pieces in the 
button or knob shape (fingers) and paddle (thumb).  Later people discarded 
the unneeded complex finger piece which was not needed for any functional 
use.  Some people had used their McElroy bugs as hand keys by rubber banding 
the pendulum and turning the key on its side.  That was the last valid use 
of a button knob on a bug.

In other countries, such a paddle is called a "manipulator" -

In my mind it is confusing when we have two devices that are called the same 
thing.

Key - to me is something that my hand uses to send morse code.
Keyer - to me is something that is in between the key and the transceiver 
(transmitter) - a circuit that controls the transmitter.  But never a key.

Keying relays were usually called "keying relays".

That works for me, and I would be confused when a person says my keyer is a 
XYZ keyer.  I'd start looking for a new electronic unit made by XYZ instead 
of a new key by XYZ.

73

David Ring
N1EA
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Brown" <ken.d.brown at verizon.net>
To: "CW" <CW at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 6:03 PM
Subject: [CW] Definitions??? key, keyer etc.


Hi all,

I read some of the posts about the "misuse" of the word "KEYER".

It is my understanding that a key is a mechanically actuated switch. A
keyer is an automated switch that is activated by a pair of keys. A pair
of keys, set up as the  control input switches for a keyer is called
either a key or a keyer paddle.

A semiautomatic key (bug) is a key. Is a bug also a keyer, since it
automatically produces a string of dits from a simpler mechanical input
command? Or is is just a key?

I remember when I was a Novice, the other novices had transmitters and
receivers, or in a few cases transceivers. Anybody, including non hams
might have a radio. Even CBers had transceivers. Technicians and other
hams who operated primarily two meter FM were the only hams who referred
to their (not there, not they're) transceivers as radios. HF operators
used their transceiver to get on the radio, and VHF operators used their
radio get on the machine. I guess they are all wireless sets regardless
of how much wire is inside of them or how much wire they are hooked up
to for power and antenna purposes, but then so is a cell phone.

Hams had amplifiers first, and then when SSB became more common it was
necessary to have linear amplifiers, which eventually became linears.
CBers also had some amplifiers, which are often not linear, yet are
called linears just the same.

Remember when you built a business and did not grow it?

I have never operated SSTV or FAX, nevertheless, I hope to "see" you all
on the CW bands.

DE N6KB



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