[Elecraft] Portable Straight Key

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

My J-38 is about a portable as one can get, since it survived combat
conditions in WWII! 

The important thing is to protect the bearings that allow the lever to move
up and down, especially on any key that uses "pins" like the J-38. By pins I
mean the sharpened ends of the metal shafts that sit in a concave cut in the
ends of the adjustment screws. They can be damaged by hitting the finger pad
end of the key too hard with a side force. 

Still, the J-38's used to be all thrown in large barrels of maybe 100 or so
keys just tossed in with no protection in the War Surplus stores and darn
few were injured by the rough handling. 

I'd not be afraid to grab my J-38 and throw it in a box of stuff to go to
the field. If I wanted to be *real* fussy, I might wrap it in a small towel
first. But, hey, my J-38 is at least 70 years old! It deserves a little
"senior care"...

BTW, for portability I have my J-38 mounted on a thin piece of hardwood,
long enough to extend under the finger grip. That way, it sits still and
firm on most surfaces with no further anchors. It won't tip no matter how
"heavy" the fist. 

Some "modern" straight keys have roller or ball bearings instead of the
"pins". They're quite robust but pricy (I consider $20 about top dollar for
a straight key ;-)

73,

Ron AC7AC


On Jul 27, 2009, at 9:44 PM, Frank MacDonell wrote:

> Thanks to all  in advance. This reflector is fabulous. Can someone
> recommend a portable straight key for use in the field. Thanks.
>
> -- 
> Frank KD8FIP