[Elecraft] Re: Now how 'bout a good straight key recommendation? :)

[Thomas M. Beaudry]

> 
> Another key whose feel is very nice is a WW2 surplus British military key
> with the forgetable name "KEY. WT. 8 AMP. No.2. MK IIIB". A collector's
> website said that there were more than 100 different models of the basic "WT
> 8-Amp" key, and the many varieties were made all over the world--New Zealand
> & Australia, USA, England. Some have more bakelite than others, some use one
> or two stamped parts, others are all cast, etc., etc. The differences
> sometimes are so obvious you wonder how it can have the same # as some of
> the others. Anyway, to see a sample that looks like mine (but probably is
> the MK II or the MK IIIC or ...;-) check out this page:
> http://www.chss.montclair.edu/~pererat/9145.jpg . You'll see the key can't
> be adjusted for tightness/looseness of the lever arm--like the HiMound, it
> has no trunion screws. The up-side of that fact is that there isn't any play
> in the arm & never will be. The key is very small & also light weight--it'd
> be ideal for backpacking with a little base under it, etc--and yet it has a
> solid big key feel. Best of all, these regularly show up on e-Bay for very
> modest prices (mine was about $20 from England).
> 

This is my favorite straight key.  I was given one by my elmer way back
when.  Unfortunately I managed to lose it somehow four years ago when I
moved from FL to GA.  My variant looked like your #44 minus the case but
was definitely a WT 8 AMP from the markings.  Also had the knob with a
skirt.  One of these days I'll find a replacement for it.

-- 
Thomas M. Beaudry
k8la / ys1ztm
k8la at arrl dot net
K2 # 3422