[Elecraft] CW keys
Several wks ago I had a problem keying my K3. All of a sudden the outboard keyers [ MFJ Logikit ] sounded normal in the monitor but what was coming out of the K3 was like using two bare wires to send with. I talked to the Tech @ Elecraft. He thought it was an acustic loop. AF. Maybe one of the wire glum of wires behind the OP desk was moved by me or the cat. He said I was the 2nd case he'd hrd of. He suggested I go to the internal keyer. I did problem solved. I won't go into why I used external keyers but I'm getting used to the K3s keyer now. It's great to call talk to someone who knows the K3 inside out. Tnx Elecraft. As to a key. For the guy looking for a key. I think the best advise is to try out several keys.If you have ham friends who operate CW go visit try their key. Some ham stores in big cities often have keys you can try out on site. Don't go by anothers idea of the best key.Some of the keys suggested in posts I tried didn't like or just plain hated. I use a Vibrokey. I have for 50 yr.s. However that's me. Everyone needs to find a key they like. Unlike SSB guys who change mics or settings as the situation calls for keys are very personal. I'd never go to Field Day without MY key. I only feel totally comfortable with my key. Lots of CW Ops feel the same I'm sure. I want to send the best CW I can that's very personal. For a CW guy listening to some of the stuff that passes as CW on the air these days is painful. To me nothing is more pleasing to the ear than really great CW. Just my opinion.. K9IL __ 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
[Elecraft] CW keys? CW OPS!
Whatever key, or keying device, one chooses, good technique is paramount. Optimally, the operator receiving your code will have no idea what particular device you are using, and this is true even with bug-key sending, if sent with machine precision. I do not say this is easy. Good code, sent by hand – and all good code must be sent by hand, for who evaluates the timing and fluency of a computer- is the only aesthetic element of CW shared by both sender and receiver. This is important for there are many aesthetic elements of Morse code; there is the pleasure of un-boxing a new key and feeling the finger pieces for the first time, the first taste of spring tension on an antique bug, that first test of continuity in the mechanical train and the feeling that a great friendship, or even romance has begun. Then, there are the hours. Hours upon hours spent at the oscillator sending names from the phone directory or the titles of books on the shelf. The striving for perfection while intoxicated by the sweet rhythm of characters dwelt over, isolated, sent fast and slow, in pieces and parts until, a thousand times and still not just quite…yes there it is now. Perfect! This is too rich a gift to be hoarded. So, to the ether we go! And now, and only now, does the true shared aesthetic experience become possible. We answer a CQ by mustering our very best, well practiced and expectant characters for the examination of friend. It is just as we had hoped: the characters flow nicely, the propagation holds, a nice chat ensues, and finally our friend signs clear with appreciation and a recognition of our hard work, now evident. “GUD FIST”. Code is a gift, and whether a solitary solace or shared experience, it takes hard-earned technique. As in all things, excellence is as difficult as it is rare. For my part – I’m back to the oscillator with any old key I can find… 73;Jake K4JQV __ 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
[Elecraft] CW Keys
For Sale: Vibroplex Brass Racer (Very Nice) $70.00 + $ 6 dollars SH. Vibroplex Bug 1940'S Clean, Great Action very Smooth $ 75.00 + $10 SH . COLLECTORS ITEM : MC ELROY DELUXE MODEL 1938 B Ser# 1026, SMOOTH AS SILK ACTION, VERY CLEAN 2 Small chips on the T-Bar about 1/8 and 1/16 inch in diameter Pictures upon request PRICE $ 400.00 Shipped Phil Philip LaMarche LaMarche Enterprises, Inc p...@lamarcheenterprises.com www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com http://www.lamarcheenterprises.com/ 727-944-3226 727-937-8834 Fax 727-510-5038 Cell www.w9dvm.com http://www.w9dvm.com/ K3 #1605 CCA 98-00827 CRA 1701 W9DVM __ 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
[Elecraft] CW Keys
What could possibly make a key worth 1250 bucks? Well, a couple of years ago I saw a Vibroplex Upright Bug (aka Wire Chief's Key) go for $10,000 US on eBay. There not many around today because few were sold between 1917 and 1919 (the production dates) and many folks who did purchase one apparently threw them in the garbage because they were apparently such a horrible key. Michael VE3WMB ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
[Elecraft] CW Keys
Hello Folks, This is probably a stupid question, and I guess I already know the answer, but is this for real? See GD907WS at http://www.mtech.whsites.net/ghd/ What could possibly make a key worth 1250 bucks? Tom, W3QS ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] CW Keys
unstated platinum? Fred K6DGW Auburn CA CM98lw tom.w3qs wrote: Hello Folks, This is probably a stupid question, and I guess I already know the answer, but is this for real? See GD907WS at http://www.mtech.whsites.net/ghd/ What could possibly make a key worth 1250 bucks? Tom, W3QS ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] CW Keys
A philosopher once said Stupid Is As Stupid Does. I must be stupid because I just purchased one this morning!! 73s john-n3drk - Original Message - From: Ron D'Eau Claire [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 8:30 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] CW Keys Tom W3QS wrote: This is probably a stupid question, and I guess I already know the answer, but is this for real? See GD907WS at http://www.mtech.whsites.net/ghd/ What could possibly make a key worth 1250 bucks? -- The GHD keys have an excellent reputation for workmanship. The expensive one you are looking at is not really a bug. A bug is a semi-automatic key that makes dits while the operator makes the dahs side-swiper style. That big GHD key is an all mechanical fully-automatic keyer! (Sort of a Babbage machine for CW!) It makes both dits and dahs. The only thing it doesn't do is the automatic space between dahs and dits. In addition most of those keys, including the expensive one, have no mechanical contacts. They use optics to trigger a circuit closure, thereby avoiding the issue of keeping contacts clean. Is that all worth the money? Not to me, but it appears to be to a number of operators... It's also worth realizing that there's a growing amount of pure humbug out there in Electronics Land. One company is featuring cryogenically-treated parts for tube-type amplifiers. Yes, they claim to super-cool tubes, capacitors and other parts and say that once the parts have experienced those very cold temperatures and returned to normal room temperature, any amplifier they are used in will have a 'sweeter, smoother sound'. Apparently they have takers. Old P.T. Barnum would be laughing his head off... Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] CW Keys Revision
I did not purchase the 1200 buckaroo. I purchased the 507 mechanical, not the optical. This particular model is about 1000 bucks cheaper! 73s john-n3drk - Original Message - From: Ron D'Eau Claire [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 8:30 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] CW Keys Tom W3QS wrote: This is probably a stupid question, and I guess I already know the answer, but is this for real? See GD907WS at http://www.mtech.whsites.net/ghd/ What could possibly make a key worth 1250 bucks? -- The GHD keys have an excellent reputation for workmanship. The expensive one you are looking at is not really a bug. A bug is a semi-automatic key that makes dits while the operator makes the dahs side-swiper style. That big GHD key is an all mechanical fully-automatic keyer! (Sort of a Babbage machine for CW!) It makes both dits and dahs. The only thing it doesn't do is the automatic space between dahs and dits. In addition most of those keys, including the expensive one, have no mechanical contacts. They use optics to trigger a circuit closure, thereby avoiding the issue of keeping contacts clean. Is that all worth the money? Not to me, but it appears to be to a number of operators... It's also worth realizing that there's a growing amount of pure humbug out there in Electronics Land. One company is featuring cryogenically-treated parts for tube-type amplifiers. Yes, they claim to super-cool tubes, capacitors and other parts and say that once the parts have experienced those very cold temperatures and returned to normal room temperature, any amplifier they are used in will have a 'sweeter, smoother sound'. Apparently they have takers. Old P.T. Barnum would be laughing his head off... Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] CW Keys
I know another Elecraft owner who has one of the GHD standard bugs and he's very happy with it. Indeed, he finds it so smooth that other bugs feel crude to his fist. Like I said before, GHD has a very good reputation. Forrest Gump teaches us that a supposedly dim bulb actually may be very bright on a different wavelength. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- From: n3drk [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 5:39 PM To: Ron D'Eau Claire; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Keys A philosopher once said Stupid Is As Stupid Does. I must be stupid because I just purchased one this morning!! 73s john-n3drk ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] CW Keys
Only one thing. Someone willing to buy it. That would not be me. Eric KE6US www.ke6us.com -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of tom.w3qs Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 4:13 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] CW Keys Hello Folks, This is probably a stupid question, and I guess I already know the answer, but is this for real? See GD907WS at http://www.mtech.whsites.net/ghd/ What could possibly make a key worth 1250 bucks? Tom, W3QS ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] CW Keys
Hey John, I never meant to imply that someone would have to be stupid to buy one, I just didn't know if they were for real or not. In the end, they may only send dits and dahs, but then a good Cuban cigar is just a smoke, and I certainly can appreciate the difference between a working horse and an Arabian. The photos look elegant, but digital photography and the internet has taught me to be very skeptical, and in nearly 50 years of hamming, I've never crossed paths with these guys. Congratulations on your purchase. Tom -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of n3drk Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 8:39 PM To: Ron D'Eau Claire; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW Keys A philosopher once said Stupid Is As Stupid Does. I must be stupid because I just purchased one this morning!! 73s john-n3drk - Original Message - From: Ron D'Eau Claire [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 8:30 PM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] CW Keys Tom W3QS wrote: This is probably a stupid question, and I guess I already know the answer, but is this for real? See GD907WS at http://www.mtech.whsites.net/ghd/ What could possibly make a key worth 1250 bucks? -- The GHD keys have an excellent reputation for workmanship. The expensive one you are looking at is not really a bug. A bug is a semi-automatic key that makes dits while the operator makes the dahs side-swiper style. That big GHD key is an all mechanical fully-automatic keyer! (Sort of a Babbage machine for CW!) It makes both dits and dahs. The only thing it doesn't do is the automatic space between dahs and dits. In addition most of those keys, including the expensive one, have no mechanical contacts. They use optics to trigger a circuit closure, thereby avoiding the issue of keeping contacts clean. Is that all worth the money? Not to me, but it appears to be to a number of operators... It's also worth realizing that there's a growing amount of pure humbug out there in Electronics Land. One company is featuring cryogenically-treated parts for tube-type amplifiers. Yes, they claim to super-cool tubes, capacitors and other parts and say that once the parts have experienced those very cold temperatures and returned to normal room temperature, any amplifier they are used in will have a 'sweeter, smoother sound'. Apparently they have takers. Old P.T. Barnum would be laughing his head off... Ron AC7AC ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
