Posted: 4/30/2026 9:32:25 PM EDT
[Last Edit: RED_5][Edited]
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(Hopefully not a dupe, I tried a search from my phone) I didn’t want to spam the “memorable acquisition” thread, So here we are… How about a show-n-tell for your keys and paddles? here are a couple of my more interesting keys, with the Norcal QRP Transceivers I built back in the day (90's)... Norcal 40A, 40m 2w CW Norcal Sierrra Multiband (with interchangeable band modules), 2w~ CW on the Left is a French made key for their SF and also used by South African Army (circa 1970's) on the Right, is a British No.2 Mk.III (WW 2 era)   |
MIA: M/SGT James W. Holt USSF 2-7-68 SVN
"Your freedom to be you includes my freedom to be free from you."
-A. Wilkow
"Your freedom to be you includes my freedom to be free from you."
-A. Wilkow
Te-Ne-Ke iambic key for portable. Simple and reliable, it's been my portable and mobile key for 3-4 years. Also use it when I when don't want to use the Vibroplex straight key on the right (which isn't often, as it's a great straight key) Have also had Navy "Flame-Proof" straight keys and a Nye Viking and Brown Bros. iambics, and a few bugs, but these two are all I need.
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I have a regular museum type collection of keys. Here are just a few of my more rare ones. Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
Mach
Nobody is coming to save us.
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Nobody is coming to save us.
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These are just a few. Vintage ~1900 key and sounder from the RR depot in my home town. Given to me by one of Dad's friends when I got my Novice in '54. I use the key in my secondary "upstairs" station.  NIB J-38 bought for $1 in 1953, J-37, and German Junker.  1922 Bug from above mentioned RR depot and Nye Viking "SpeedX" in "downstairs" station ETA: For good measure, a few "firebottles".  The large one is an 833 triode from the finals of the AM station in my home town. The small one on the left is an 807, popular in homebrew gear of the '50s as used ones were available free from local 2-way radio service shops. With a power transformer from a defunct TV set, a pair would put out ~50 watts. Trivia: Back then, hams often referred to a beer as an "807". We OTs still do. |
"...Capitalism...shares its blessings unequally; ...Socialism...shares its miseries equally."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
finally got round to updating the OP.  a couple more: Bottom Radio: Oak Hills Research QRP Explorer II (20m CW) Top: Small Wonder (40m CW) left: my J-45 (J-37 with the leg clamp) right: Soviet military I have a few more, a couple boring  Benchers (1 chrome, 1 black)and some compact import paddle I got off ebay or amazon about 5 years ago. 
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MIA: M/SGT James W. Holt USSF 2-7-68 SVN
"Your freedom to be you includes my freedom to be free from you."
-A. Wilkow
"Your freedom to be you includes my freedom to be free from you."
-A. Wilkow
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I went the opposite way, going for the latest technology. This is a QSK LLC TP-1 combined with an OpenCW Keyer MKII and a custom display I built for the keyer. Attached File |
"Cogito, ergo armatum sum."
Here is my growing collection that my wife says I have a growing problem. From left to right: My British Military ZA 54574. MK 119. Clandestine Radio Hand Key. This keyer came off a the MK119 Clandestine radio. The Ebay seller says it is an SAS WWII keyer, but I have my doubts since the website I researched this on says the examples they have are from the 1950s (could also be earlier), so I suspect it is a Cold War vintage. The clicking is less metalic say from a J-37 or J-38. It's also my favorite keyer to use thus far. More close ups:   The MK119 mentioned:  Next up is a standard J-38. Unknown date or manufacture. My 1945 Bug that I am still trying to tune...and learn to use. A WWII era J-47 And a newish (came with the 5 pin plug) J-45 that has been used a lot during my POTA and mobile operations. (Me doing some CW while loading crude the other day. Antenna used was the Just Ok mini from HamRadioDuo).  |
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Have another one which was designed as a companion to the Ten-Tec Corsair/C-II: The KR-50, an iambic squeeze paddle. Corsairs have a built in keyer and this was the accessory meant to go with the radio. It features magnetic paddle tensioning and a Play switch for the one internal memory which the radio's keyer circuit incorporates. I guess Ten-Tec offered it as a generic paddle too. My HS electronics teacher gave one to me and I remember the unit as being a bit different than the later unit. |
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My Elmer has one of the original keys that was used at Sportsman Park in St Louis, Mo when both the St Louis Browns and St Louis Cardinals played there. I'll have to see if I can get a photo of it. It is a neat piece of St Louis history. |
DAV lifetime member
NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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I still have a old military J38 but this is my current setup: Attached File |
"I guess you already know that there are angels masquerading as people walking around this planet and your mom was the bravest one of those." - Idgie Threadgoode, Fried Green Tomatoes
