I need an Iambic/single paddle key
I do have 2 antique brass straight keys which may have potential. Has anyone ever seen this done?
Two different beasts: iambic and single-lever paddles. Iambic paddles can close two contacts simultaneously, thus the potential for iambic A or B keying, etc.
Single lever paddles are either-or. Dits or dahs. No iambic keying is possible.
I have seen straight keys mounted sideways back to back to be used as a sideswiper. Shouldn't be
too complex to figure out how to do this, mechanically or electrically. Maybe a quick trip to the hardware store would be helpful.
I do wonder whether two straight keys back to back would provide a easily-adjustable, easy-to-use
key.
A simple inexpensive alternative is to buy a used iambic or single-lever key from ham classifieds or ebay or at a ham swapmeet. With a commercially-built key you probably will have something that works reasonably well.