[CW] What is a good straight key?

Jim Garrison jamesgarrisonart at yahoo.com
Fri May 20 17:21:19 EDT 2011


 
 
I have tried dozens of straight keys, trying to find the best.  I have kept  
only eight of them.....for me, the best are as follows...

1.  (tie)   Marconi PS. No. 213 and Marconi PS. No. 213A.  Nothing else even 
comes close to  the precision and ease of operation of these keys.
2.  MP Pederson/Amplidan 50713
3.   Morse Equipment Ltd.  GNT type key
4.  Japanese brass WWII PS213 copy
5.   Marconi 365EZ
6.  Marconi 365B
7.  Marconi  365A

Just my three cents worth.

 
  
  



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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: What is a good straight key? (cod947)
   2. Re: What is a good straight key? (DANNY DOUGLAS)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 12:09:17 -0400
From: "cod947" <k1vv at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?
To: "CW Reflector" <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <A46067CB4BD4400DA7A575636B078CF7 at Bob>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Danny ... I was "funnin' " you ...

We were referring to some of the CW on the bands that you hear ... sounds like 
touching two wires together ..

Whitey  K1VV 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: DANNY DOUGLAS 
  To: CW Reflector 
  Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 12:00 PM
  Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


  Yep, had no key, and couldnt find anyting to use as one, as it was an 
emergency situation to get our embassies through out Africa and the Middle east, 
back into communication with papa back home.  Same as having a keyline hooked to 
a key and rig, but without the key.  Hold one wire down against a table, and use 
the other hand to touch the two wire ends (hot and ground) to send the code.  


  Dont find you in the logs here, since moved back, in 1984.  Could have from 
overseas before that, but not in the computer.  

  Danny Douglas
  N7DC
  ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB
  All 2 years or more (except Novice). Short stints at:  DA/PA/SU/HZ/7X/DU
  CR9/7Y/KH7/5A/GW/GM/F
  Pls QSL direct, buro, or LOTW preferred,
  I Do not use, but as a courtesy do upload to eQSL for those who do.  
  Moderator
  DXandTALK
  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DXandTalk
  Digital_modes
  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_modes/?yguid=341090159

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: cod947 
    To: CW Reflector 
    Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 10:24 AM
    Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


    Danny ....  you said ..

    finding a plug that fit the transmitter cw key jack, made up a wire, and; 
used the two loose ends of wire - just touching them together to key. finding a 
plug that fit the transmitter cw key jack, made up a wire, and; used the two 
loose ends of wire - just touching them together to key. 


    Touching wires together to send CW ..??

    I am positive that I have worked you on 40 CW several times ...   Hi..

    Whitey  K1VV  


      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: DANNY DOUGLAS 
      To: CW Reflector 
      Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 8:36 AM
      Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


      Holy Smoke!!!   Ill just continue along with the old J38, Ive had since 
1965 or so. 


       It reminds me that just about anything works.  I was temporarily at our 
embassy in Athens, when our relay site, north of twon, was struck by lightning 
(where I normally worked).  All TTY signals went down and not knowing why, I was 
unable to get thru to them either on cw/TTY or the phone.  After some two hours, 
of listening to the cw guard bands,  I received a VHF radio call, advising me of 
the situation.  I volunteered to perform the CW guard responsbilities in order 
to let other field stations, in other countries, know to abandon their normal 
base station and connect to with their standby sites. 


       I threw the transmitter onto a guard freq, and then found there was no 
key, in the whole embassy.  Seems all the regularly assigned communications 
people there were, and had been, non-morse trained.  I wound up finding a plug 
that fit the transmitter cw key jack, made up a wire, and; used the two loose 
ends of wire - just touching them together to key.  It worked just fine, 
although a bit slower than most people calling in.  HI.  I got them all advised, 
and then, as instructed, closed down and went home.  The lightning destroyed 
keylines, receivers, tty machines, and all sorts of stuff that was found fried, 
for the next few weeks. 


       In other words: just get the message thru.  We as hams are not spending 
hours sending 40 wpm traffic.  I just cant see spending that type of cash to 
send CW.  Instead, if you have it, spend it on antennas.  Good keys are cheap 
enough, and one doesn't need a Mercedes to get to work.
      Danny Douglas
      N7DC
      ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB
      All 2 years or more (except Novice). Short stints at:  DA/PA/SU/HZ/7X/DU
      CR9/7Y/KH7/5A/GW/GM/F
      Pls QSL direct, buro, or LOTW preferred,
      I Do not use, but as a courtesy do upload to eQSL for those who do.  
      Moderator
      DXandTALK
      http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DXandTalk
      Digital_modes
      http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_modes/?yguid=341090159

        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: D.J.J. Ring, Jr. 
        To: CW Reflector 
        Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 7:11 AM
        Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


        Unfortunately the MP Pederson key which was sold to Amplidan is no 
longer in production - a causality of "no code" changes in testing.  Likewise 
the Lennart Petterson key sold by Swedish Radio Supply - I think this is the key 
you're remembering as it was about $250.  The Amplidan was about $375.00.

        They are indeed a very good keys.

        I've not used the Begali Blade but I've heard wonderful things.

        My favorite straight keys are these:

        First Tier

        Marconi 365 A B C or D series.
        Amplidan or MP Pederson key - last sold for about $350.
        GHD top of the line.

        If you want to just send you name one time, wires can be used, but if 
you want to send for 8 hours a day you need something good.

        One excellent key that is easily found is the Navy Flame Proof key - and 
will compare with these as a third tier key - but is only $35 or $50 at a flea 
market often less.


        David J. Ring, Jr., N1EA
        SOWP, VWOA, OOTC, FISTS, CW-Ops, CFO, A1-OP, ex-FOC 1271 ARRL-LM
        Chat Skype: djringjr MSN: djringjr at msn.com AIM: N1EA icq: 27380609

        Radio-Officers Google Group -- Marine Morse Historic Recordings Page




        On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 5:49 AM, Henry Frederick Meiseles 'Meils' 
<meils at get2net.dk> wrote:

          Also,  the Danish M. P. Pedersen (maritime) straight key is reputed to 
be an excellent key -- usually sells for about $100. I find it great for 
moderate speeds but not for QRQ. Very sturdy, high quality construction.

          HFM, Cph. oz3o n2nr







------------------------------------------------------------------------


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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 12:57:25 -0400
From: "DANNY DOUGLAS" <N7DC at COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?
To: "CW Reflector" <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <99770E9722FF4149A7F01CA65754BD0F at ham2>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

hehe, I never know for sure.  Had some real "odd" questions asked before.  
Some code sure sounds that way too.  Sittin here trying to figure out where to 
get a couple of QSL cards.  VK9LA came in today, with rtty and ssb contacts, 
hiking my numbers for those modes.  Just looking at VP8ORK and wondering if any 
have been received.  Its the last CW I need for Honor Roll there.  

Danny Douglas
N7DC
ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB
All 2 years or more (except Novice). Short stints at:  DA/PA/SU/HZ/7X/DU
CR9/7Y/KH7/5A/GW/GM/F
Pls QSL direct, buro, or LOTW preferred,
I Do not use, but as a courtesy do upload to eQSL for those who do.  
Moderator
DXandTALK
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DXandTalk
Digital_modes
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_modes/?yguid=341090159

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: cod947 
  To: CW Reflector 
  Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 12:09 PM
  Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


  Danny ... I was "funnin' " you ...

  We were referring to some of the CW on the bands that you hear ... sounds like 
touching two wires together ..

  Whitey  K1VV 
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: DANNY DOUGLAS 
    To: CW Reflector 
    Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 12:00 PM
    Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


    Yep, had no key, and couldnt find anyting to use as one, as it was an 
emergency situation to get our embassies through out Africa and the Middle east, 
back into communication with papa back home.  Same as having a keyline hooked to 
a key and rig, but without the key.  Hold one wire down against a table, and use 
the other hand to touch the two wire ends (hot and ground) to send the code.  


    Dont find you in the logs here, since moved back, in 1984.  Could have from 
overseas before that, but not in the computer.  

    Danny Douglas
    N7DC
    ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB
    All 2 years or more (except Novice). Short stints at:  DA/PA/SU/HZ/7X/DU
    CR9/7Y/KH7/5A/GW/GM/F
    Pls QSL direct, buro, or LOTW preferred,
    I Do not use, but as a courtesy do upload to eQSL for those who do.  
    Moderator
    DXandTALK
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DXandTalk
    Digital_modes
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_modes/?yguid=341090159

      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: cod947 
      To: CW Reflector 
      Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 10:24 AM
      Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


      Danny ....  you said ..

      finding a plug that fit the transmitter cw key jack, made up a wire, and; 
used the two loose ends of wire - just touching them together to key. finding a 
plug that fit the transmitter cw key jack, made up a wire, and; used the two 
loose ends of wire - just touching them together to key. 


      Touching wires together to send CW ..??

      I am positive that I have worked you on 40 CW several times ...   Hi..

      Whitey  K1VV  


        ----- Original Message ----- 
        From: DANNY DOUGLAS 
        To: CW Reflector 
        Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 8:36 AM
        Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


        Holy Smoke!!!   Ill just continue along with the old J38, Ive had since 
1965 or so. 


         It reminds me that just about anything works.  I was temporarily at our 
embassy in Athens, when our relay site, north of twon, was struck by lightning 
(where I normally worked).  All TTY signals went down and not knowing why, I was 
unable to get thru to them either on cw/TTY or the phone.  After some two hours, 
of listening to the cw guard bands,  I received a VHF radio call, advising me of 
the situation.  I volunteered to perform the CW guard responsbilities in order 
to let other field stations, in other countries, know to abandon their normal 
base station and connect to with their standby sites. 


         I threw the transmitter onto a guard freq, and then found there was no 
key, in the whole embassy.  Seems all the regularly assigned communications 
people there were, and had been, non-morse trained.  I wound up finding a plug 
that fit the transmitter cw key jack, made up a wire, and; used the two loose 
ends of wire - just touching them together to key.  It worked just fine, 
although a bit slower than most people calling in.  HI.  I got them all advised, 
and then, as instructed, closed down and went home.  The lightning destroyed 
keylines, receivers, tty machines, and all sorts of stuff that was found fried, 
for the next few weeks. 


         In other words: just get the message thru.  We as hams are not spending 
hours sending 40 wpm traffic.  I just cant see spending that type of cash to 
send CW.  Instead, if you have it, spend it on antennas.  Good keys are cheap 
enough, and one doesn't need a Mercedes to get to work.
        Danny Douglas
        N7DC
        ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB
        All 2 years or more (except Novice). Short stints at:  DA/PA/SU/HZ/7X/DU
        CR9/7Y/KH7/5A/GW/GM/F
        Pls QSL direct, buro, or LOTW preferred,
        I Do not use, but as a courtesy do upload to eQSL for those who do.  
        Moderator
        DXandTALK
        http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DXandTalk
        Digital_modes
        http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_modes/?yguid=341090159

          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: D.J.J. Ring, Jr. 
          To: CW Reflector 
          Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 7:11 AM
          Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?


          Unfortunately the MP Pederson key which was sold to Amplidan is no 
longer in production - a causality of "no code" changes in testing.  Likewise 
the Lennart Petterson key sold by Swedish Radio Supply - I think this is the key 
you're remembering as it was about $250.  The Amplidan was about $375.00.

          They are indeed a very good keys.

          I've not used the Begali Blade but I've heard wonderful things.

          My favorite straight keys are these:

          First Tier

          Marconi 365 A B C or D series.
          Amplidan or MP Pederson key - last sold for about $350.
          GHD top of the line.

          If you want to just send you name one time, wires can be used, but if 
you want to send for 8 hours a day you need something good.

          One excellent key that is easily found is the Navy Flame Proof key - 
and will compare with these as a third tier key - but is only $35 or $50 at a 
flea market often less.


          David J. Ring, Jr., N1EA
          SOWP, VWOA, OOTC, FISTS, CW-Ops, CFO, A1-OP, ex-FOC 1271 ARRL-LM
          Chat Skype: djringjr MSN: djringjr at msn.com AIM: N1EA icq: 27380609

          Radio-Officers Google Group -- Marine Morse Historic Recordings Page




          On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 5:49 AM, Henry Frederick Meiseles 'Meils' 
<meils at get2net.dk> wrote:

            Also,  the Danish M. P. Pedersen (maritime) straight key is reputed 
to be an excellent key -- usually sells for about $100. I find it great for 
moderate speeds but not for QRQ. Very sturdy, high quality construction.

            HFM, Cph. oz3o n2nr







----------------------------------------------------------------------


          ______________________________________________________________
          CW mailing list
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