CW Vertical Key

While browsing through HAM-related sites I came across a CW Morse key made out of a paper clip (W0PWE Paper Clip Key). After a couple of attempts at building paddle keys (ugly but usable) I wanted to give a try at building a vertical key.

First of all, I am not fond of mechanical homebrewing and I have a very limited set of tools: if I made it, you can build yours too! What you need to build such a key is:

A paper clip size "6" -the biggest around-
Wodden base at least 7 cm long, 4 cm wide, 1.5 cm thick
Two screws with matching nuts, slightly longer than base's thickness (I picked 2 cm)
Two washers
One knob and its screw
Four rubber spacers
Some decimeters of bipolar wire

You will also need the following tools:

A screwdriver
A drilling tool
A saw (to cut your key base)

You certainly have everything you need at home!

I won't insult your fantasy with a step-by-step description of how to build this simple key. Pictures should be enough. Just keep in mind that it might not work (mechanically speaking) at the first attemp: I had to disassemble my key a few times before I could get it working properly. Just some hints:

connect the wires on the bottom side of the key, between the nut and the wodden base
if you screw the contact screw from the bottom up you can control the key run (this is actually the only adjustment you can make to this simple accessory!)
use a light base for portable use, and good rubber feet for stability
be gentle when bending the clip or you'll get too much run

Created on July 07, 2003

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