Ron wrote: > The appeal of a J-38 is strictly nostalgic and, for me, it > works as well as any other straight key that I've touched.
These keys have some military historical value as well. The J-38 was never in operational/combat theater use...it was used only for US Army radio operator Morse training. The somewhat simpler J-37 was the key for actual service use. There was one on every B-17/24/25/26/29 size aircraft, and every C-45/46/47 cargo aircraft, and on every ground-based Army fixed/mobile/portable MF/HF station. On various mounting bases, it became the J-44, J-45 (KY-116/U), or J-48. The key that served a similar role in the US Navy was the navy type 26003 based on the Bendix MT-11B. This very fine straight key is my personal favorite, but expect to pay at minimum $50 US for a used surplus one, even at a hamfest flea market. I love old historical straight keys. There is nothing equivalent in the iambic key world. 73, Mike / KK5F ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
