[Elecraft] OT: morse keys , pricing

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

What key did you use in the past, Johnny? Unless you are looking to start a
"collection" now, the same style -- especially the same knob shape if a
"straight key"-- will probably be what you want. 

Excellent keys are available through e-Bay for under $30 - some half of
that. These are the conventional designs that have been popular for almost a
century. If nothing else, such auction sites will give you a good idea for
what a particular style and age of key should cost in the current market. 

Of course the sky is the limit when you start looking at custom-made special
designs, even in straight keys. It's all in what you want. But that's more a
matter of rarity and cosmetics than function- after all this is a world in
which people still pay more than $10,000 for a wrist watch that doesn't keep
time any better than a $10 watch! 

Putting "Morse Key" into your favorite search engine will turn up a lot of
sites with photos and stories about keys. One of the "standards" that has
been around with many links to other sites is:

http://www.telegraph-office.com/tel_off-page.html

That page includes a link to "On Line Museums" that has lots of interesting
stuff. 

73, 

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
Hello Group,
 
I seldom use CW in the past.  As I become older, my interest of CW comes
back.  From time to time, I see many CW keys available in ebay at a variety
of price range.  How can I know the prices are right?  Any web sites about
morse keys collection?  Any publication about history of famous morse key
collectors?
 
Sorry for the band width but I know there are many learnt expert in this
reflector.

TNX & 73,


Johnny VR2XMC