[CW] Sounds of Keys

[David Ring]

Speaking of hand keys, sideswipers (cootie keys) and bugs as we often
do, I've posted sample recordings of each on my web site:
http://mikea.ath.cx/www.n1ea.coastalradio.org.uk/morse_recordings.htm

The first three are recordings of a sideswiper (double contact
horizontal hand key with side to side movement), a fast hand key
recorded in 1915 on a phonograph record giving a WX report, and
finally a recording made by our very own group member, R/O Ed
McCarthy, W1YT (ex-USCG RM and Merchant R/O).  Ed made the recording
from his home in FL of me out in the Western North Atlantic on 40
meters.

At first I thought the recording was of my electronic keyer - but it
is obvious from the not perfectly timed dashes that it is a Vibroplex.

But, all in all, not bad sending.

The sideswiper was a recording that I made just before I had decided I
was "good enough" to get on 20 meters with R/O Bob Shrader, W6BNB
(Bread 'N Butter) and R/O Ben Russell, N6SL (former WNU and Merchant
R/O) both members of my google groups radio-officers list and also
members of the weekly "side swiper net" - see
http://sideswipernet.googlepages.com/home for more information - and
pictures of some nice 'swipers.

Listen to the recordings if you have a mind.

A while ago we determined that the "fast" straight key was about 23
wpm, and my request for some one sending 25 on a hand key still is
being asked for.

I've heard a few - very few - but I didn't have the tape recording
running -  PY7RO comes to mind and there is a Guatemalan station -
Dana TG9ADM - who uses one of those cheap JJ38 Japanese keys (imported
by AMECO in the USA) which is a copy of the USA Armed Services J38
key.  That's his only key - and keys are scarce in the jungle!  Boy is
he good at it.

I guess if it you have one key and you don't want to be slow, you send
fast with your JJ38 key!

73

DR