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Morse Keys and CW |
CW is my favourite mode of operation. I no longer operate any other modes as none give me anywhere near as much enjoyment as sending and receiving morse. My microphones are stored safely somewhere in the garage and I removed the SSB option board from my K2 a while ago. I am a member of 8 CW clubs and like to participate in their activities.
Here's my collection of keys (click on the links for larger photos):
| Front row (left to right): | ||
| British Army Key WT8A NR2 | - | I bought this at a rally for portable operation, but have yet to use it in anger. |
| Whiterook MK44 paddles | - | Cheap and cheerful, I used them for portable QRP work |
| Palm Radio Mini-paddles | - | Quality German-made paddles for portable work |
| Vibroplex Original DeLuxe | - | My pride and joy. Bought in 1974 to replace my old Eddystone bug. |
| Rear row (left to right): | ||
| Marconi 365A | - | A beautiful precision ship's key, given to me by G3EBU, a real Marconi Man, in 1967. I need to clean it up and restore it sometime |
| Bencher BY-1 paddles | - | Like a Ford, my everyday paddles with a nice personalized dustcover from WB3EVL |
| K8FF Paddles | - | I assembled these from a Norcal kit. Vibroplex now have a commercial version, the Code Warrior Jr |
Since the above photo was taken, I've added a Kent TP-1 to my collection of paddles. This paddle has a very solid feel compared to the Bencher and I found it suited my fist better. However, the arms bound at close contact gaps and generated spurious characters. The brass also has a poor finish which makes it look almost as old as my 365A! I ordered a Begali Simplex to replace it. The Begali is an excellent paddle with a solid feel like the Kent. Unlike the Kent, it is beautifully finished and gives no keying problems. I ordered it with palladium instead of gold plating. Piero fitted the paddle with red metal finger pieces instead of the stock plastic varieties and it really looks elegant. Sending morse with such a well crafted piece of machinery is a satisfying feeling that cannot be appreciated by people who haven't learnt to use morse.
I had the opportunity to meet Piero, I2RTF at Hamradio 2006 in Friedrichshafen to thank him for such an excellent product. As well as being a great engineer and CW operator, Piero is also a really nice gentleman.
