Using some antique telegraph keys to make morse code QSOs

I've had the great pleasure of borrowing several old morse keys from Pat EI2HX, who has quite an interesting and varied collection of antique telegraph keys of varying ages. The three videos below show me making QSOs with three of these keys. Thankfully, each time I made a CQ, someone came back to my call. The first video features a well-known model, the American World War II era J-38 telegraph key:

The second is this old GPO key. In this video, my CQ is answered by EB5GGB, who is also using a straight key to complete the QSO:

In the third video, I am using some form of old army key, but I don't know anything about it. Perhaps someone who knows a little bit about this key could comment below with information, or send me an email? Again, my CQ was answered immediately, this time by CT1CPP, who was also using a straight key, which was a great joy.

I have to admit to being a little bit heavy-handed with my keying. I don't have the best fine motor skills in the world, so can be a tiny bit awkward. However, I had great fun using these keys and I look forward to trying out more and making further videos.

Nice QSO with DK1IS on 80 metres with hacksaw paddle Mark II

Above is a video of me CQing on 80 metres CW using my new EI2KC home-brew hacksaw blade key Mark II. I had a nice QSO with DK1IS. This is the whole QSO. I am thoroughly enjoying this home-brew key, which was made with parts that were donated, found lying around the shack, and purchased. It cost me about 10 euro to make. And it's really quite genuinely nice to use. I will be writing an article about the construction of this, and the Mark I key, for a future issue of Echo Ireland magazine. I made some improvements from the Mark I version, although in fairness apart from a cosmetic difference, there is no noticeable difference in their use. They are both very nice to the touch and responsive. I may not revert to using my Kent dual lever paddle again!!

The Mark II key (left) beside its less refined predecessor.

The Mark II key.

Some improvements made to hacksaw blade key

I have now mounted my home-brew hacksaw blade Morse paddle on a steel base, added a nice red handle (made of insulating tape of course!) and fixed the spacing a bit so that it better meets my satisfaction. It's working well, although the spacing gave me some interesting problems during a QSO with PW0F on 40m CW, when it seemed to send random extra dits and dahs seemingly without input from me!! I would ideally like to tidy up the wiring a bit but it's largely complete and I've made a number of QSOs with it. Here's a QSO I had with a German operator in Dominican Republic using the newly-mounted key:

I've joined the Straight Key Century Club

Now that I am the proud owner of an SK-CC straight key - a limited edition gold-plated key (see previous posts) - it seems like a good idea to become a member of the Straight Key Century Club. I'm hoping to do more straight keying. It's something I enjoy. I'm not proficient at it, but with enough practice I will be. I am proud to carry on a tradition that began with telegraphy in the early days of radio. The SK-CC key was made by LTA in the Balearic Islands, and is a very nice reproduction of a Marconi key, similar to the one used on the Titanic. My key was number 75 of a limited edition. They are no longer manufactured. I hope to catch you on the bands soon for a straight key QSO. And forgive my mistakes - I'm still learning!!

My Straight Key Century Club membership number is 11904. You might be interested to know that it costs nothing to become a member. Learn more at the SKCC website.

My new weapon ... a nice bit of brass

I am pleased to unveil EI2KC's latest weapon, soon to be unleashed on a QRG near you. I have just acquired this beautiful Straight Key Century Club key and am going to hit the bands . . . Keep an ear out for some pretty horrendous straight keying and it will likely be me. I have all the dexterity of an epileptic squid, so my CW should sound something like a one-note symphony gone horribly wrong.

See you on the bands!