CW Club

PA3CLQ's Leuke Linken Nr. 425

Follow-up PLL Nr. 423 & 424..... Left / Right handed keys?

Question:

I guess what I really ask is there a left and right handed straight key ( & Sideswiper key ) ?

I have never seen one.

Just curious
Thanks Larry

REM :

I truly don't mean to be disrespectful, but what is the difference of a right and left handed key.?
Larry WB2UFO

REM :

Left handed wire telegraph straight keys and sideswipers have the circuit closer on the left hand side.

73,

David
N1EA

Begali Sculpture Swing Brass Prototype Sideswiper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiIIO-IbCdQ

More info on the production model please see

http://www.i2rtf.com/html/sculpture_swing.html

73, Pete W5PEH

It is easy to modify any bug weight into a slide weight.

I inserted a bit of neoprene cork gasket material into the weight setscrew hole and tightened the screw just enough to keep the weight in place during operation. Then when I want to change the speed I simply push the weight along the bar, no need to mess with the setscrew.
A small compression spring placed in the setscrew hole would also work.
Some disposable lighters have suitable sized springs for this.
73, Drew AF2Z

Palm portabe key

I have the Palm Mini paddle that I love for when I am traveling.

It is small, robust, and I like the feel. See

http://www.morseexpress.com/palm/mpaddles.htm

Of course it is not valid for SKCC (exchange information.)

Anyone have experience with the Palm Portable (straight) Key?

Is it of the same quality?

http://www.morseexpress.com/palm/ppk.htm

Any alternative recommendations?

I seriously considered the Palm Single Paddle.

There is a review and video from last August that suggests it is a bit "wobbly"

http://www.hamradioqrp.com/2015/08/palm-single-key-review.html

Do you see this in yours?

It would be nice to have a single key that can be used for keyer or straight key.

Thank you, Mark/NX1K

What Did Vail & Morse Talk About on the Wire ?

Well, we have three pages of conversations and I have put them up in the Files section of this List, under the filename "Vail-Morse Telegraph Conversations."

Vail even records the personal sines of the four operators who worked the "first wire," the 1844 Baltimore-Washington wire.

Lifted from the book Early History of the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph, From Letters and Journals of Alfred Vail, Arranged by His Son J. Cummings Vail (New York: Hine Bros, 1914.)

-- 73 SW & (abram burnett) SloeSpeedWireGroup

REM :

see attachment pse

Your editor

I've been away from CW for a long time.

I have a question on CW filters.

What is the better choice, a 300 Hz CW Filter or a 500 Hz CW filter?

Thank you.

Your answers are much appreciated.

73, David, KN1SIX

REM :

There are more answers (opinions) to this question than there are manufacturers of filters.

I am looking forward to all the replies.

I'm sure I will learn a lot.

Thanks for asking this question.

K5ZOL 3945S

REM :

Indeed........

To answer the question (with just the two options) I would personally opt for the 300Hz filter.

My preference is 400Hz.

The problem with going too narrow is that you could quite easily be called by someone outside of your passband.

Rob, G4LMW

REM :

I haven’t read all the other replies, but I’ll offer what I use.

I have a K3 with the 500 Hz filter.

Generally, when calling for SKCC contacts, I widen it up to 700 Hz using the DSP on my radio and I can narrow it down and turn on some other functions to pull something out that’s really weak.

Between the two, for general contacts, I’d pick the 500 Hz filter if those are your only choices; otherwise, I’d have a 700 Hz filter and 250 Hz filter if I could swing the dough.

Just my opinion and YMMV.

Good luck and 73, Joel - W4JBB

REM :

If you are buying a crystal filter to add to a rig lacking a narrow cw filter you will be happier with either choice.

The steepness of the filter skirts can vary greatly so the passband bandwidth tells only part of the story.

On todays crowded bands 300 Hertz helps nicely.

I have used a rig with a 300 Hz xtal filter and now mostly a rig with a dsp filter I tend to keeo at 300 Hz.

I use the CALF audio filter with my vintage rig, where I also like its setting around 300 Hz.

By the way, John who sells the CALF has a nice article we wrote together with some useful info.

Before buying a new xtal filter read any reviews you can find.

Email me direct and I can help you interpret specs.

Curt WB8YYY

REM :

The big disadvantage you have with an audio filter is without a narrow IF filter you will have strong stations that don't make it thru the audio filter that STILL can "Pump" the AGC and knock the volume of your desired signals way down !!

I use both an outboard audio tunable filter And a 500 Hz IF filter on my TS440s radio and can sort out a lot of QRM with the combo.

My FT990 has a 500 and 250 Hz CW filter and antother "digital" tunable hi and low cut filter (Switched capacity filter). that makes it nearly bulletproof when things get crowded !

CW is Real Radio 73, John...K8JD

REM :

I have a ten tec omni V and I have both the 500 and 250Hz filter.

I like both of them.

Robert S Jenkins KG4KGL

REM :

I personally have a 500 and a 200 in my K3, but I use the 500 most of the time.

Bear in mind that if you have a digital filter you can use it and the roofing filter both, so you in effect have a narrow filter and a 500 both if you only have a 500.

I find the 200 too narrow for CQ or pileup operation and the very narrow filters useful mainly in DX operations where I am part of the pack trying to hear through the jammers and KC police.

Bear in mind that I have been a ham for a long time and even a 500 cycle filter is much narrower than the 50 kc IF bandwith of the old receivers.

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke

REM :

The Kenwood 590S is adjustable down to 80kcs (Old school! Still don't like "Khz") and on rare occasions I've gone as low as 100-150kcs.

Most of the time 250-300kcs will pick out the signal.

73, Allan W4EAB

REM :

Whoops! Shud have said "cycles" not Kilocycles!

Either too much wine last night or not enough coffee this a.m.

Sri, Allan W4EAB

REM :

I've really enjoyed my CALF CW audio filter.