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Amateur Radio Straight Keys:
Here are some of my favorite amateur radio
straight keys from my collection. While some of these
keys were also used for commercial telegraphy, they were
manufactured primarily for amateur radio operators. Learn
More about Amateur Radio at the ARRL. |
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Brown Brothers Machine Company (BBMC). Key:
This is a
Brown Bros. key made in St. Louis, Missouri.
It is similar to the Ham-Key, but higher
quality. These keys were hand-made from 1964
to 1979 by Bill Brown who made the die-cast machine and
all the parts himself. He also designed, painted and
labeled each key ever made by the BBMC. Bill made the
keys in his basement shop. He was a real craftsman and a
true perfectionist. |
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E. F.
Johnson Straight Key:
E.F. Johnson was better known for their amateur radio
transmitters, but they also manufactured keys.
This is an oval base straight key made of solid brass
base with steel triumph lever. It is marked E.F. JOHNSON
CO. WASEKA, MINN on the rear of the base. It was purchased
on E-Bay. The seller said that he purchased it
from a grandmotherly lady in Minnesota who said that it
was her husband's key. |
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Ham-Key
Amateur Radio Straight Key Model HK-3: The Ham-Key was
a common Amateur Radio Key during the 60s, 70s and 80s. It
is very distinctive with its red lever and knob.
It also has rubber feet and binding post connections on
the rear. The chrome label with red letters reads:
HAM-KEY, HAM RADIO CENTER LOUIS, MO. |
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Ham-Key
Amateur Radio Paddle and Straight Key Combination:
Another amateur radio product from Ham-Key ins St. Louis, MO.
This unit combines both a paddle and a straight key that are
mounted on a metal black crackle metallic base. Like the
Ham-Key above, it has distinctive red plastic parts. The
key action is still very good, even by today's standards. |
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Nye Viking Company Model 330 Master Straight Key: This
Nye
key has a steel base with black crackle finish and a steel
triumph type lever with a black navy knob with gold plated
contacts. It has the original gray cord and black phone plug.
The mainstay of the Nye line, this key has a great action and it
is often described as “the perfect key.” I purchased this
key on E-Bay from a seller in Texas. |
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Speed-X
Model 310 Oval Base Straight Key:
Another nice handling Speed-X straight key. It was manufactured in the
60s and 70s. When this key was made, Speed-X was owned by Les Logan.
This key is in perfect condition and was purchased on E-Bay. |
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Speed-X Model 320 Rectangular Base Straight Key:
Another nice handling Speed-X straight key. It was manufactured in the
60s and 70s. This key has a black crackle base and a Navy knob. When
this key was made, Speed-X was owned by Les Logan. |