Fig. 1:   Begali Postal Key

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Gold plated Postal Key  by Piero Begali I2RTF, Cellatica, Italy.  It  is a replica of  a Swiss Postal  key.  It was created for Marconi’s 125th birthday, 67th Marconi day, October 2, 1999. This is a useable on the air  display piece, very heavy, at 4 lbs. The base is 5-3/4" long by 2-3/4" wide. These keys can only be ordered directly from the maker. Delivery from order was at one time over six weeks.  The same very heavy steel base was used for his Camelback key (right).

Fig. 2:  Begali  CAMELBACK Key

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Another gold plated display key by Piero Begali I2RTF , Cellatica, Italy.  This key is basically built upon the same base as the Postal Key (left), so the size and weight are identical.  This is SN 003. This particular key was a totally unexpected and delightful gift from Mr. Begali.  I thank him very much.  When I got this key, I initially had  put it away for display.  Later, inquiries about it had me trying it on the air and after a little snipping off of the spring to lighten the tension a bit, I found it had a rather delightful feel.  I am using it today, along with my Junker DBGM.  It is quite practical. and more than a pretty face.

Fig. 3:  Begali  "Spark Key

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Yet another display  key by Piero Begali, Cellatica, Italy.  This is a quite  heavy key weighing nearly 3-1/2 lbs.  It is a very showy and  attractive key, gold plated as were the Postal and Camelback Keys above. The base is 4-1/2" long by 2-3/8" wide.  It has a very nice feeling action,  It was SN 014. Again, these are only available direct from the maker in Italy at this time. This key arrived 56 days after order via internet, so are no doubt being made only after being ordered.

Fig. 4:  Schurr Handtaste auf Edelholz

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Hand key on Mahogany by Gerhard Schurr,  DH2SAA, it is 6.9" x 3.7" x 2.2" and it weighs  in at > 1.5 lbs.  It is a nice, low-slung key that fits in well with the American Ham's style of arm on the table, key toward the back of the table.  Distributed in the U.S.A. by the Morse Express. $308.45 with postage. One of my favorite keys to use this key on the air. I particularly like the concave topped knob, and the low slung lever. The long base gives it the needed stability to not want to tip.

 

Fig 5:    Jones PK-205, B, G

PK-205-G
 

Fig.6:   Brown Brothers CTL

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Brown Brothers Machine Co. Model CTL, dual straight key and paddle. All of Bill and Ed Brown's keys were made entirely in St. Louis, Missouri in the basement of Bill's house, starting in 1964. Apparently, they ceased making keys  altogether in 1979. Read MORE  One of these sold recently on Ebay for $355.  Madness! Note that the CTL has the its terminals on the back.  I have found what may have been a very early prototype or experimental? Terminals on the side. I've never seen nor heard of another one. Even the label is different, with a serial number rather than model  number. See it  HERE,

 

Fig.7: Brown Bros.  CTL-A/B

CTL-A
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CTL-B
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TRICKED OUT CTL-B
 

The CTL-A was a transitional move toward leaf spring support system  in a partial metamorphosis  from the CTL.  Only the paddle was converted in the "A" model.  The final version, "B", has both the paddle and the straight key with a leaf spring support.   In the CTL-B Customized picture above, I re-painted the base a nice antique gold and then replaced the old terminal strip connection points with more modern RCA jacks.  While some "purists may gasp and fan themselves, I think it looks rather spiffy.  See UNDERSIDE These spring leaf totally ends any  effects of friction that occur with trunion pin support. A standard coil spring remains in both keys which is still adjustable. The Browns went on to experiment with a magnetic paddle and a semi-automatic "bug" combined with a straight key that were never put into full production.  Read MORE

Fig.8:    Ham Radio Center HK-4

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Dual "Ham-Key". These were made in Fenton, MO for Bill DuBord of the the Ham Radio Center of  St. Louis, Missouri.  They sold fm 1975 to 1985. The HRC sold an HK-1 iambic paddle on base, and a HK-2 iambic paddle, less base, to use with the HK-5A electronic keyer. Click to see KEYER. The HK-5A was made by Dave Fine, K0DF, in his basement in St. Charles, MO. The HK-3 and HK-3M are straight keys. Interestingly, they sold an HK-3A straight key without a base. They also sold this HK-4 dual paddle and straight key on base. These keys were always seen as a less expensive alternative to the famous  BBMC keys which were thought to be of better quality.  See an HK-3M HERE.  The HK-3M was a newer model with a front foot to overcome a tendency of the HK-3 to "tip". Our thanks again to Jim Glasscock, W0FF.

 

Fig.9:  Hand Key by Al Bulin, AB5RT

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A hand-crafted one of a kind key built by Al Bulin, AB5RT. I have one of hisalmost  identical to this one but this is not my exact key. The base  dimensions are 2-1/4" x 3-1/4" and it weighs abt. 12 oz. The knob is asingle laminated piece of  Birdseye maple. Al's keys are noted for the lovely jeweled decoration. I only wish that the base was longer for a bit more stability when keying. It's a little tip prone if you key it hard.  Al, a gunsmith, has been building keys now for over 13 years and produces maybe 2-5 keys a year, none the same.  He also re-finishes classic keys in his style that are quite attractive when he is done with them.

Fig 10: Canadian Wilson hand key

Fig.11:  Two (2) Speed-X Keys

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These are two Speed-X keys by the Wm. Nye Co. originally of Bellevue, Washington State. In the foreground is a polished brass piece, with a  chrome plated lever, mounted quite nicely upon a Nye factory painted aluminum base. In the background is another Speed-X, (Seen HERE ) enclosed by the  ITT Mackey Marine Division of the International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation.  This covered key has been carefully insulated from its base so it was purposely designed for use with marine transmitters that used quite high voltage keying circuits. With its base and cover, it weighs a little in excess of 2 lb.  Dimensions are 6" x 3" x 2" high. The key in the foreground weighs a shade under 1 lb.

Fig 12:    French folding Key.

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( Ex- Murray Willer collection).  This type key was used in WW1, and was typically built into wireless transmitter cases.  Obviously, this specimen has been remounted upon a display base. The only purpose of a folding lever was to compact the key for closing the case.  Neal McEwen's says it is identical to the type key used in the Type 4 spark transmitter made by Radiguet & Massiot of Paris.  Dimensions with  the lever fully extended is abt 6-3/8"  1lb 7/8 oz w/base.

Fig.13:  A one of a kind custom
                         Speed-X by Al Bulin

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See about Al Bulin in the narrative for Fig 9 above.  Al took this classic oval key and removed the spring and converted it to an adjustable magnetic tension custom beauty.  It is mounted upon a jeweled finish brass base. It weighs 1 lb 5-3/4 oz.  The base is 3-3/8"x 2-1/2''.  An Allen headed screw in the base is used to raise and lower the bottom magnet at the rear of the base. The frame appears to have been anodized in a green color.  About $138 with S&H.

Fig 14:    A Speed-X gold plated
                           awards conversion