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Reviews For: Nye Viking Speed-X Keys

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Nye Viking Speed-X Keys
Reviews: 34MSRP: 40 (Approx.)
Description:
First made by Les Logan, then by E.F. Johnson, and now by Wm M. Nye Company, the zinc bases of the Speed-X keys have been cast in the the same molds since the 1930's
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00344.8
W1GFH Rating: 2020-10-15
Great Key, be careful cleaning and oiling! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My Speed-X oval was bought at Tufts Radio in Massachusetts in 1977. It was pretty dusty after some years of storage, so I set about to clean and oil it. When I plugged it into the transmitter, it was transmitting without being pressed! I checked with a multimeter and found no problem, it switched the continuity tone on and off just fine. Then I checked resistance. "Closed" it measured 0 ohms. "Open" it measured 11,000 ohms! Yikes! It seems I dripped oil down the binding post screws and it settled in the rubber washers, creating the equivalent of a circuit with 11K of resistance. Apparently the multimeter had too little voltage to "see" the circuit, but the transmitter recognized it just fine (!). So off to the hardware store for some (luckily) standard size rubber washer replacements.
AA4WA Rating: 2020-08-15
Best straight key ever! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I still have my first Nye Viking Speed-X key (rectangular 320-001) with navy knob from when I got my General class in 1975. I've added 2 more since then, one being brass and with the shorting bar. I got spoiled with the best from nearly my beginning (Novice in 1974) and will always use them. They are easy to adjust and hold their position. It looks like the rectangular style and navy knob goes back to the early days of radio in the 1900's with the Signal Electric model. Great design that has remained the best!
W9SA Rating: 2017-12-16
A great old key Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I recently acquired a new radio and needed to hook up a key. I thought no problem because I have a small collection of straight keys and bugs. I tried several but settled on my rectangular Speed-X. The surprising thing is, this is the key given to me when I became a novice back in 1969! I worked a lot of stations with this key, a few crystals, and an HW-16. It's comfortable and the whole nostalgia thing is ok too.
K9FH Rating: 2015-01-01
Best straight key in my collection Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This review is for the Classic Rectangular Speed-X Keys with Navy type knob. I had thought most straight keys were the same - until I used this key. Maybe it's the heavy brass armature or the navy type knob but this key has a solid feel like no other key I've used.
WF8O Rating: 2014-03-15
Outstanding CR!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently acquired a used Nye-Viking Speed-X straight key from an EBay auction. The oval base brass key was sporting anj 8-32 hex nut on one of the wire posts. I contact the MFG to request to buy a replacement knurled nut. A couple days later, Bill Nye personally called me to say he could only send a nickle plated one. I thanked him and took his advice that I go to the hardware store where I found an exact replacement! That'ssuper Customer Relations! He owed me nothing! I bought a used key off ebay! Great company!
KA0HVE Rating: 2013-07-17
Nicer than I realized. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought my Nye Viking Heavy Duty Speed-X (114-320-001) new on 02/01/1980 for $10.95. I still have the box, receipt, and papers. This is a lovely key. Very adjustable with a crisp action. Replacement spring is available if needed. I'm adding the KB2 key base plate as soon as it arrives. This key is still being manufacture!
AI9K Rating: 2013-01-24
Great Straight key Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Smooth operation, classic appearance, a crisp, clean feel like no other hand key I've used although I never tried one of those $400-500 keys.

My search is really over as I can't possibly see any other key beating this one!

A CW op since 1969 gives the Speed-X a 5...



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Earlier 5-star review posted by AI9K on 2013-01-24

Smooth operation, classic appearance, crisp clean feel like no other hand key I've used. I never tried one of those $400 keys though.

My search is really as I can't possibly see any other key beating this one!

The Speed-X rates a 5...
KB2HSH Rating: 2013-01-11
Solid classic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I still have the Speed-X that my mother purchased for me when I was in my late teens. It's a solidly built key and it has a great feel to it, and I have used it for nearly 20 years. However, it doesn't get a 5 ONLY because it is a basic key. There are many straight keys out there that are "prettier" or more solid in feel. For $40 in 1991, it's a tough act to follow.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB2HSH on 2004-06-08

My first CW key was a plastic junker that "follwed" me home after I graduated from High School. But, after 5 years of using that crappy old thing, I can recall getting money together to purchase my Speed-X. I own a brass-on-black wrinkle model, and I have to say that after 9 years, it STILL looks and feels great. After a few moves and some inactivity due to traveling for work, the brass tarnished a bit. But, some brass/copper polish and a minimum amount of rubbing, and the brass shone once again. Also, for the hard to polish wrinkle finish, I use a product that Mike Sandman (sandman.com) sells: Telephone Polish. I know, it sounds horribly cheesy, but it restored the finish on my MFJ antenna tuner and my 9440 SSB rig.

Upon returning to the air after 4 years, the Speed-X still responds just as remembered it did. This piece of radio nostalgia will always have a home in my home.
K9KHJ Rating: 2012-09-15
My cold dead hands Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Stumbled onto this at a hamfest, didn't think much of it but have fallen in love with the crisp feel and classic design. I will never, ever use another straight key.
N3US Rating: 2012-09-08
Great Manual Key Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased my Nye Viking Speed-X with rectangular base a few weeks ago. I have been a ham since 1963 and my original Novice key was not this well built with such smooth action! I mainly use the Key for tuning up the Amp but I have made several QSOs with the Speed-X and it was so much fun to use. The Key is attractive to look at and does not move around.