Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Marconi 365 EZ

Category: Keys & Paddles

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Marconi 365 EZ
Reviews: 3MSRP: 200-$300 approx
Description:
One of the great, classic maritime keys, based on the 365B design. It features heavy duty silver contacts, including two spares, key click suppression filter, large ball bearing pivots, and heavy duty metal cover.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0035
WN9U Rating: 2018-11-20
Two Thumbs Up Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned and used many World Class CW keys, and the MARCONI 365EZ is as G00D as it gets! The smooth crisp sending action has a wide range of adjustments. You will NEVER wear out the huge coin silver contacts.

This key was designed for professional use.
Buy one at any price if you can find it!

Gary, WN9U

GM0WEZ Rating: 2010-03-20
Classic professional key Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very much a collectors item nowadays, but they do crop up on ebay, though very often missing the cover, spare contacts and the 'Marconi Marine' decal. I guess they led a hard life in the ship's radio room.
The 365EZ and FZ represent the final evolution of the classic 365 series. Highly over-engineered with precision, almost frictionless ballraces and huge (replaceable) contacts, along with more key click supression than you'll ever need. In terms of action, it is probably the best key of it's type.
Not completely perfect though - the baseplate is synthetic rather than steel, so it has a higher center of gravity than, say, a Junker, and the key itself is on one side of the baseplate. Despite this, however, it is completely stable and it does not move around the desk.

If you like the traditional British key, (ie, with a heavy, relatively short lever) it is probably the best key available. It is a professional instrument and maritime operators had to send 20 wpm with a straight key just to qualify, and experienced ops often sent faster, and for very long periods.

I personally find I can send a little faster with a long lever key like the NATO/Admiralty type. But the Marconi is more than a key: it's a lasting reminder of a profession that no longer exists, and of the men who worked, and sometimes died, in the ships radio room.
N4EES Rating: 2010-03-20
One of the finest keys ever made Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very solid, overbuilt professional key that is smooth and precise in operation. Mine is adjusted for a medium gap and light spring tension. At this setting, I am able to operate 25 wpm for hours without fatigue. The silver contacts are huge. This key was built to last forever, with no compromises in its construction. Compared to my other favorite key, the Junker, the action is heavier, and requires a little more exertion. This is a real brass pounder's key. When found complete and original, they are highly sought after, like their 365A, B, ancestors.