Buying an inexpensive staight key

[KC9EOS]

Know of any retail outlets that sell inexpensive straight keys?  I'm hoping to be able to get something without waiting for mail order!  Do any well-known outlets carry these things?

[N8UZE]

It would help to know where you are.  Howeve it's likely you'll have to go the mail order route.

[WA4PTZ]

You can find some pics and some specs on many types
of keys on the web, but you will have to mail order
your selection.  
73 - Tim

[KA1DBE]

can you say "EBAY"

Bought a SpeedX for $5.00

[AF4KK]

A company called "Ameco" has a great straight key for only about $15.00 or so. It's fully adjustable and has a great feel to it. AES sells them. I have one in my mobile set-up mounted between the seats and it works very well!
Scott (AF4KK)

[KA5YOW]

i use two soup spoons with rubber band and a wooden dowel.  it's inexpensive and it works great.

[KT8K]

Hey, that's great (the soup spoons).  I have a writeup somewhere on eHam about using staplers - they're pretty crude, though.
I have noticed in recent years that key prices have gone through the roof at swaps.  I'm glad I still have my old Nye Viking from 1978!
Hope to C U on CW.  73 de kt8k - Tim

[W8BBS]

About the spoons, is there a write up on it somewhere, or a picture?  It sounds very interesting.

[KC8VWM]

Don't laugh but there is actually a website that shows you how to make your own homemade morse code key

http://www.chss.montclair.edu/~pererat/m9900.htm

This project is designed to introduce children to the principles of the electric telegraph.
It uses readily available parts:(12KB)
2 Pieces of wood.
8 small screws.
2 large nails.
4 flat strips of metal. (One MUST be iron-bearing or "ferrous" metal).
20 feet of INSULATED wire from 18-28 guage (around 1/32 inch diameter).
2 flashlight batteries.
The Key:(14KB) consists of a strip of metal which can be pressed down to make contact with a screw.
The battery holder:(14KB) holds the flashlight batteries and makes electrical connection with each battery.

The Sounder:(12KB) consists of about 100 turns of wire wrapped around a nail which attracts the iron-bearing strip of metal and makes a clicking sound. When the sounder is deactivated, the metal springs upward, striking another nail and making a second clicking sound. Dots and dashes can be distinguished from each other by learning to tell the difference between the pull-in click, and the release-click.


Now THAT'S What I Call Ham radio!!

73

KC8VWM