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Author Topic: Back to back or side to side straight keys?  (Read 139 times)

K7MPZ

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Back to back or side to side straight keys?
« on: December 06, 2019, 02:32:54 PM »

I need an Iambic/single paddle key, but my desired Kent is out of budget. I do have 2 antique brass straight keys which may have potential. Has anyone ever seen this done? Would the patina affect my speed? (hi hi) They are one piece, so I can't salvage them for parts to build something else.
Dale
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Dale Fiorillo
Sequim, Wa
K7MPZ

W6MK

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Re: Back to back or side to side straight keys?
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2019, 03:23:37 PM »

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.
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K7MPZ

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Re: Back to back or side to side straight keys?
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2019, 03:34:08 PM »

http://k4che.com/keyer/DSCF6730.JPG
This is it. All I need are a couple of guitar picks for paddles.
update
My bad, I know better!
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Dale Fiorillo
Sequim, Wa
K7MPZ
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