Posted: 10/21/2013 7:49:24 AM EDT
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Im just starting to learn CW, and only have an old Czech straight key...
Im 5wpm on a good day though, only made 3 cw qsos so far, i wait until there are straight key contests. Here is the key i use http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9588 |
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Yes, I would like to have me one of dem...... Haven't yet. 
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/K-4-Chinese-Military-Heavy-Duty-Telegraph-Straight-Key-/161127742917?pt=US_Code_Keyers_Keys&hash=item2583f63dc5
Quoted:
I am currently learning CW and also looking for a key once I am proficent enough to go on the air. Where did you find it, at a Hamfest? |
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I've made only a very few CW QSOs.
Here's the key I used for my first couple: 
I just strapped it to my thigh and went to work.. I tend to start stuff like that at its most primitive level because I believe in the basics. From there it's easy to work up. I really believe a lot of us look at the equipment first and our skills last which is wrong. Look how many of us own 1/4 MOA rifles and yet can't hit a bull in the ass with a canoe paddle. |
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I learned on this J-37 that I got around 1978, Started at 5 WPM and worked my way up. I get "glass fist" if I try to send over 18 WPM with it for very long so I now use an Iambic paddle, but am thinking of trying a single paddle.
It's the only one I've ever seen with the cover and I can't find any info on it. Yes, that's a PC power cord that I used for a cable! 
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I alternate between the J-38 I bought in 1953 when I was studying for my Novice, and an old German Junker I got back in '09:
Now I'm in the process of re-learning to use the 1922 vintage Vibroplex Original I was given back in the late '50s, no easy task after using iambic paddles for the past 40 years. |
My only straight key is an Ameco K-4 with the key base. 
http://www.mtechnologies.com/ameco/keys.htm |
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I never could run a straight key
When I was learning, I found a cheap old Heathkit paddle at the hamfest The guts didn't work, but I didn't care, because My HF rig had a built-in keyer. 
This ugly bastard got me on the air long enough to pass my 13wpm test to get my General/Advanced License. Once I passed, I tossed it under my workbench,...because now I could TALK on HF 
I should have kept practicing because I later realized CW is the key to working lots of rare DX. here's the old heathkit today, paddles dry-rotted to hell as you can see, all you need is 2 momentary switches and something that flexes between them 
today I use a KENT/ALPHA-DELTA TP-1 
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Why not just put your rig in RTTY mode and key your mike? Less tone pollution on the bands that way. Quoted:
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I have an MFJ straight key. It gets used regularly......to tune my antenna and amp. Why not just put your rig in RTTY mode and key your mike? Less tone pollution on the bands that way. The 857's "RTTY" mode is plain old LSB/USB (depending how you have it set in the menus). Not quite sure I follow. |
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Quoted:
The 857's "RTTY" mode is plain old LSB/USB (depending how you have it set in the menus). Not quite sure I follow. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have an MFJ straight key. It gets used regularly......to tune my antenna and amp. Why not just put your rig in RTTY mode and key your mike? Less tone pollution on the bands that way. The 857's "RTTY" mode is plain old LSB/USB (depending how you have it set in the menus). Not quite sure I follow. It doesn't have a RTTY or Digital mode? None the less, use AM or FM. The only reason I say that is the tones when tuning up on any frequency, whether you are QSYing up or down from a QSO to do it start to mud things up when the bands are even remotely busy. Obviously dummy loads are best but not always practical. |
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It doesn't have a RTTY or Digital mode? None the less, use AM or FM. The only reason I say that is the tones when tuning up on any frequency, whether you are QSYing up or down from a QSO to do it start to mud things up when the bands are even remotely busy. Obviously dummy loads are best but not always practical. It has both, but they are basically USB/LSB with the data port enabled, and mic disabled. Would not AM and FM both use more bandwidth, and thus, more frequency disturbed? Serious question...I've done CW as I figured it would be the least intrusive tuning method, and seems the most common. |
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Quoted:
It has both, but they are basically USB/LSB with the data port enabled, and mic disabled. Would not AM and FM both use more bandwidth, and thus, more frequency disturbed? Serious question...I've done CW as I figured it would be the least intrusive tuning method, and seems the most common. Quoted:
Quoted:
It doesn't have a RTTY or Digital mode? None the less, use AM or FM. The only reason I say that is the tones when tuning up on any frequency, whether you are QSYing up or down from a QSO to do it start to mud things up when the bands are even remotely busy. Obviously dummy loads are best but not always practical. It has both, but they are basically USB/LSB with the data port enabled, and mic disabled. Would not AM and FM both use more bandwidth, and thus, more frequency disturbed? Serious question...I've done CW as I figured it would be the least intrusive tuning method, and seems the most common. With just a carrier, it won't matter about the mode. I use what ever is easiest to start out at low power and adjust the tuner then raising the power and tweek the tuner again for the best reading. 73, Rob |