Pages: 1 [2]   Go Down

Author Topic: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?  (Read 668 times)

K2DFC

  • Member
  • Posts: 141
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #15 on: November 11, 2022, 05:34:42 AM »

All depends on your level of OCD. My level requires lugs and shrink sleeve. 
Logged

WA1UIL

  • Member
  • Posts: 42
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #16 on: November 11, 2022, 06:09:52 AM »

With crimp connectors and shrink your sending accuracy will have a marked improvement over bare/twisted wires. This is due to the boost in confidence level knowing you did the best job possible connecting the key.
Logged

K3TN

  • Member
  • Posts: 1014
    • My Blog
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #17 on: November 11, 2022, 07:49:31 AM »

Over the past 10 years or so, after 40 previous years of operating with keys that did have binding posts, I've been seduced by fancy keys that don't.

My first was a Begali Sculpture Mono that came with a mini-phono ended cable already attached to screw terminals on the bottom of the key.

Next came an N3ZN ZN-SLR that came with a female mini-phono connecter built into the back of the keys.

For those first 40 years, though, I was a bare wire guy! Going to cable-based keys has increased my spatial harmony while decreasing digital discordance - though that could also be from the reduction in width of my wallet...

73 John K3TN

Logged
John K3TN

W2JJV

  • Member
  • Posts: 158
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #18 on: November 11, 2022, 09:16:27 AM »

My go to straight key is a Navy CJB-26021 which does not have a shorting bar but does have the chrome strap for a shorting bar with a raised lip to accept a wedge connector.  It also has the original cable and 1//4 inch plug.  With my vintage Vibroplex Original I have a Western Electric wedge which fits right under the lip so they are both connected.  I can also use the wedge on my J-38.  The wedge is a real vintage throwback to the time when operators carried their own bugs in those long cases and connected up to keys that were table mounted!
Logged

K8AXW

  • Posts: 7391
    • HomeURL
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #19 on: November 11, 2022, 09:20:57 AM »

DFC  X2.  I have never understood doing anything; wiring, building, painting..... electronic gear, whatever, that yells, "amateur." 

I don't consider it OCD but simply pride in how my work LOOKS!

I'm reminded of a poster I saw in a shoe repair shop in Holland.  It was a photo of Al Bundy and he's saying, "If your shoes look like sh.t, YOU look like sh.t!"   :-[
Logged
A Pessimist is Never Disappointed!

KC3TEC

  • Posts: 150
    • HomeURL
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #20 on: November 14, 2022, 06:53:03 AM »

DFC  X2.  I have never understood doing anything; wiring, building, painting..... electronic gear, whatever, that yells, "amateur." 

I don't consider it OCD but simply pride in how my work LOOKS!

I'm reminded of a poster I saw in a shoe repair shop in Holland.  It was a photo of Al Bundy and he's saying, "If your shoes look like sh.t, YOU look like sh.t!"   :-[
 

Reminds me of a phrase my chief told me when we were working on a gun mount in the navy.
Our xo was an anal twit who wanted all equipment kept freshly painted at all times.
Even a mount we had half apart for a major repair.
You can paint all you want but paint wont stop an enemy from shooting at you.
An unpainted but working gun makes it hard for them to shoot if they are dodging the shells you are firing at them.

The moral was whats more important.
Getting the repairs done first or making all the parts look pretty?

Theres nothing wrong with wanting your equipment looking good.
But given a choice between looking good and actually working good.
Its a no brainer here, it has to be working before i worry about how it looks
Logged

N2SR

  • Member
  • Posts: 1794
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #21 on: November 14, 2022, 06:58:39 AM »

TIG weld the wires
Logged
Elect a clown.  Expect a circus.

K8AXW

  • Posts: 7391
    • HomeURL
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #22 on: November 14, 2022, 09:20:03 AM »

TEC:  Excellent point.  The XO was definitely anal retentive!  However I'd like to point out two minor things.  1- The bug, key, keyer is/are in working order and the question is the method of terminating the leads.  2- When I build something the panel appearance, the wire routing and component placement are factored in at the proper time. 

Old Chiefs and Master Sergeants RUN the military!   ;)
Logged
A Pessimist is Never Disappointed!

KC3TEC

  • Posts: 150
    • HomeURL
Re: Cable to CW key posts, bare wire ends or connectors?
« Reply #23 on: November 16, 2022, 10:51:38 AM »

I know what you mean!
Terminating wire is a users choice.
Mine crimp and solder is better electrical contact and corrosion protection
With a little shrink tube to make it neat in appearance.
Cable routing : held in place with zip tie pads and keyer deck velcro'ed to the desk
Makes things quite stable.

In the shack i have a radio bench ( hope to get more radios soon  ;D)
And work bench to do the repairs/ builds on.
(Sorry no pictures yet! I dont want to scare people to death ;))
Logged
Pages: 1 [2]   Go Up