[CW] Whew! Shinny new bug....

[Lee]

Jim,

I too was a CW operator in the US Army.  The J-38 is a winner.  If I was 
to only keep one key, it would be the J-38.  As I said a nice one these 
days will cost you $50 to $75.  However a tarnished one maybe with some 
scratches will cost around $25.00 but will be perfectly functional.  I 
think just about everyone with a big collection of keys, paddles and 
bugs has a J-38.  It would be my strong recommendation to buy a J-38.  
After a lot of experience and you want to "branch out", fine go do it 
and buy some other types. But I bet if you do this you will never be 
sorry you bought a J-38 and I bet you will never want to get rid of it 
either.  It's a classic.   I suspect more J-38s get traded in a single 
day then any other type key sells in a year.  Designer keys and a J-38 
will both get you down the road.  I can't say enough for it.

I do have a large collection of keys, bugs and paddles.  A couple have 
cost me up to $1000 each.  That said, I would never part with my J-38 
and it would be the last one to ever leave this shack.  I can't imagine 
another key working any better then a J-38.  The fatigue level is low 
using one.  It is a classic design.  You will never be sorry you 
obtained one.  Take the advice of an old timer, and then later on if you 
wish, try something else.  I'll make a wager with you, I bet you will 
not think any other key works any better then a J-38.  You can spend a 
lot more money and get no better performance, just a lot of wiz bang glitz.

Lee, w0vt
Been at this since 1953