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Author Topic: STREIGHT KEY HOMEBREW  (Read 147 times)

N4MJG

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STREIGHT KEY HOMEBREW
« on: November 06, 2022, 08:35:59 AM »

in ARRL BOOK  back years ago don't what year, i have try built one works great thinking high school kid i think but it been long time ago thuo lots of fun builting one !

Jackie
N4MJG
SKCC 7305 SINCE 2005
NAQCC 5233
OMISS 11548
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JACKIE GREEN

WB6BYU

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Re: STRAIGHT KEY HOMEBREW
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2022, 11:29:24 AM »

We had a straight key building competition at one club meeting
many years ago.  One design was built from Lego blocks.  One
used a large tarnished serving spoon.  Another used a pink
toy "squeaky" bear, with the squeaker removed and replaced
with a plastic tube that inflated a balloon to operate a microswitch
when the bear's tummy was pressed.  There were others.

Most actually worked reasonably well at 20 WPM - even the bear.


So not only can keys be easy to build, but they can be creative, too.

KC3TEC

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Re: STREIGHT KEY HOMEBREW
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2022, 12:44:50 PM »

Using a microswitch can work but its highly dependane on the amount of pressure needed to make or break contact.
Materials can very in conductivity, flexibility and durability.
Ive built keys from flexible metals that work quite well.
Im building a bug key right now using a feeler guage as the paddle and brass screws as contacts.
Its just stiff enough to prevent accidental contact, and flexible enough to use comfortably.
And in the process of designing a magnetic explosion proof straight key.
That the fun of homebrew.
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