Morse Key

[Steve WithnellParticipant @stevewithnell34426]

Something a bit different.   I decided to design and build a morse key.   Just a basic straight key, nothing fancy, but with an objective of making something really good, both to use and to look at on the shelf.

A lot yet to do, as ever and a few careless mistakes as always…but pretty pleased with progress so far.

The base was machined on a KX1 from a piece of African mahogany, which was part of a conservatory purling in an earlier life.

These old straight keys usually have brass binding posts to connect the contacts back to the transmitter,  but I’m not having any of that, they are never convenient and eventually problematic,  so I’ve incorporated a 3.5mm stereo jack socket.   In order to mount it, I’ve epoxied a custom washer into the base.

The top brass cover plate has come off quite well, though the CZ121 was a bit gummy to cut,   so the next one needs the feeds and speeds looking at.

From here on in, it’s all metalwork apart from a couple of insulators, which will be turned out of black Delrin.

Progress so far…

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Nice, I like it so far.

Rod

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

CZ121 a bit gummy???

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

I’m impressed by the base!  If the rest of the key is of that quality, it will be gorgeous.  Looking forward to seeing more photos.

For those not in the know, Morse Keys are objects of desire, much collected.  A well-made key has a smooth reliable  action that can be tuned ‘just so’ and they aren’t easy to make.   Well-made morse keys are expensive and, because individuals vary, may be worth bespoking.

Judging by the photo, I think Steve is making a heavy European-style pump-handle key rather than the small keys popular in the US and most militaries.   Pump-handles are operated from the elbow, producing well-formed code up to about 20wpm and they minimise the chance of “Glass Arm”.  An early industrial repetitive strain injury, painful and disabling.   Small morse keys can send faster than 20wpm but they’re operated from the wrist, making dreaded “Glass Arm” more likely.  It was a major problem in the heyday of manual telegraphy for professional telegraphers who used small keys and were paid by volume sent.

Apart from ships and shore stations, militaries prefer small wrist action keys because they’re small, light, portable and can be worked in any position.  Many operators prefer wrist action too: it’s a personal thing.  Pump handles require the operator to sit upright with his elbow in the air, so the chair and table have to be adjusted.

The perfect Morse Key has yet to be invented.  Perhaps it’s Steve’s!

🙂

Dave

 

[peterhodParticipant @peterhod]

I trained as a ship’s radio officer when I was 16-18 and went to sea once qualified.

It was all morse code apart from VHF transceiver on the bridge, not even HF telephone.

Later in my career I sailed for a Japanese Company. We had 10 kilowatt transmitters not the 100 watt that was mandated. When we had inspections we just said we only used the low power settings, in reality we used full power settings. We had autotune and just powered up and called over the top of poor mugs who were following the regs.

We also used bug keys and electronic bug keys. I looked at buying an electronic bug key a while ago and they are quite expensive.

Morse code still buzzes through my head till this day.

Look forward to seeing the finished item!

 

Pete

[parovozParticipant @parovoz]

Ex Radio buff ( childhood interest ) here. Nice work.CZ 121 is ideal for this and the machined parts, it’s a free machining brass and takes a good finish easily. Looking forward to seeing progress. Have been tempted to dip into radio again but suffering from a finger to pie ratio problem. Too many pies, not enough fingers… or PBLE ( projects beyond life expectancy )

Keep up the good work….. Nice !

[peterhod]

On peterhod Said:

…We also used bug keys and electronic bug keys. I looked at buying an electronic bug key a while ago and they are quite expensive.

…

10kW of CW from a ship’s antenna must have been LOUD!

First thing I made when I bought a mill was a bug key.   Done as a training exercise, so never beautified, but it works!  The turning was all done on a mini-lathe and most of the drilling could be done with a pillar drill or by hand.  Not a copy of a manufactured one, the design was inspired by various photos in Morsum Magnificat magazine,  Not a difficult project if anyone fancies a go, with plenty of room for improvements.

Later on I used the bug to develop CAD skills so the plans are available if I can find them.

Electronic bugs exist as Arduino projects, I built the K3NG keyer, not difficult or expensive.   Bought a commercial paddle, but a bit of hacksaw blade waggled between two contact pillars works too!  (Not recommending it.)

To my chagrin I am not good at morse code.  Despite years of practice I lose concentration after ten minutes at any speed.

🙁

Dave

[rjenkinsgbParticipant @rjenkinsgb]

Very nice!

It looks like it’s going to be something similar to a Kent straight key, with binding posts in a different location? – my favourite on the odd times I used CW.

 

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