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Author Topic: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?  (Read 667 times)

WS4E

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Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« on: February 23, 2021, 11:30:55 AM »

Ok, kind of a silly topic, but maybe not.

I am sitting here with some cables on the bench I was planning on neatly crimping connectors on the ends, doing heatshrink on them, making them pretty, with a little strain relief etc.

However, now I am thinking to myself  that maybe the old timers had the best idea, and just leave bare wires to wrap around the posts on the key(s).   That is what you seem to see in old photos from the days when CW was king.

So, I thought I would ask what others possibly more knowledgeable than me have decided after dealing with it in their own shack themselves for many years.

For those who are experienced CWers, what do you think is the best way to connect the wires to your key(s) after using a CW key?

1) Crimp some connectors/U lugs?

2) Just tinned wire ends?

3) Just leave some bare wire on the ends?

« Last Edit: February 23, 2021, 11:33:50 AM by WS4E »
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W1VT

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #1 on: February 23, 2021, 11:40:10 AM »

If you have the proper tooling and parts handy I'd use crimp connectors that provide strain relief.

Zak W1VT
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WB4BIN

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2021, 12:22:34 PM »

If a key (J-38, bug, etc.) has binding posts, I use a connector.  I have several keys, and like to use each of them on occasion, so having connectors makes it easy to move the cable from one key to another. 
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ZL1BBW

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2021, 12:24:34 PM »

We used croc clips a lot, as we had to move our key around with us from point to point.
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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.

KD1JT

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #4 on: February 23, 2021, 01:21:03 PM »

I put on connectors.  Crimped.  I just use a good TRS cable, and run the ring and shield through the same heat shrink tubing.  The other through another piece.  Before doing anything I put a larger heat shrink on the cable.  Shrink the two leads, then slip the larger over the two (leaving enough to get to the posts) and shrink that.  Overkill.  But it looks snazzy!  LOL
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W6MK

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #5 on: February 23, 2021, 02:02:03 PM »

Silly.

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N5CM

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2021, 02:38:42 PM »

My brown Brothers CTL-B has connectors, but on my straight keys, I use bare wire ends.
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KD1JT

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2021, 03:23:49 PM »

Silly.
If you ever bought one of Vibroplex's ultra-crap $10 cables, you wouldn't think it so "silly". 
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K1VSK

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2021, 03:57:28 PM »

Silly.
More form over substance. Either works equally well
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W6MK

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2021, 06:58:27 PM »

Silly.
More form over substance. Either works equally well

Indeed. I've used bare wire, tinned wire, crimped terminals and my fist has not
altered a single iota. Or is it an iotum?

On the other, third, hand, bare wire can be quicker. Tinned means getting out the soldering gun and finding the solder. If you are going to solder on a plug, you might as well tin the wires on the other end.
Crimping means finding several tools, can mean unscrewing a nut completely for installing or de-installing.

Buying is easiest in terms of skill and cerebral energy. But why bother? It's more costly and show-offy.
« Last Edit: February 23, 2021, 07:05:04 PM by W6MK »
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WS4E

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2021, 08:42:47 AM »

Hmm, I never considered crock clips.  As someone who like to switch between straight key and a vibroplex, that might be worth a try to make the changing of keys easier.
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WB4BIN

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2021, 12:32:49 PM »

I have a friend who puts a RCA connector on each key, and the cable that goes to his rig.  To switch keys, he just unplugs one, and plugs in another.   
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N4MJG

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2022, 04:05:48 PM »

since i can't my use left hand soldering  due to my recent stroke 2019 i use connecers on my cable on to change cw keyrs ! make it easy for me !

Jackie
N4MJG
SKCC 7305 SINCE 2005
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PREFER EQSL
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JACKIE GREEN

K1VSK

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #13 on: November 10, 2022, 05:45:27 PM »

The things which concern people is sometimes startling. Maybe after using my favorite paddle for another 50 years, I’ll put lugs on the terminal ends. Naaaaa.
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KC3TEC

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Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #14 on: November 11, 2022, 05:34:13 AM »

Depending on the humidity and air salinity
Either method will work fine, it depends highly on the individuals choice and whats convenient for them.

My choice has always been both crimp and solder.
( ex navy so ive had to deal with corrosion issues a lot)
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