SPAR Announces Homebrew Key Winners

[w5alt]

During October 2006, SPAR sponsored the first annual Homebrew Key competition. With short notice, there were only a few entries, but the craftsmanship exhibited is exceptional. Hopefully next year there will be more competition. Especially missing were simplified and “cheap” key designs.

Complete details of the keys selected can be found in the December 2006 Roundtable and on the SPAR web site (http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/keymonth/km2006-results.html)

http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/keymonth/RotoBug.gif
First Place Winner. The WB9LPU RotoBug


http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/keymonth/MagneticCamelback.JPG
Best Straight Key. The KA4AAU Magnetic Camelback

http://www.spar-hams.org/contests/keymonth/NH6AH.jpg
Best Paddles. The NH6AH Hawaian Driftwood Paddles


Thanks to the contributors and gentlemen, congratulations on your handiwork!

[KC8VWM]

My vote is for the NH6AH Hawaiian Driftwood Paddle.

Like using CW, I like it's simplicity.

73

[w4khr]

Those look wonderful. I'm so envious. And it brings to mind a favorite story of mine. I had been out of ham radio for many years when I bought a Kenwood TS-430S from a friend. I used to love CW but wasn't sure I could still copy it. I started listening one morning to 30 meters. I was able to copy ok and I heard somebody calling CQ. I didn't have a straight key but I answered using the PTT switch on my mic. I didn't know if that even worked, but Joe Dreher, W2TKG, came right back to me. I think he said he was 90 years old at the time. That was in 2001 so I'm not sure if he's still around. Anyway, I told him that I didn't have a key and he got a kick out of that. He told me his first key was made out of a saw blade. We had a great QSO and it made me want to get back on CW. About a week later, what arrives in the mail but a homemade key - of plywood and a saw blade. I used that key (and have his QSL card prominently displayed in the center of my station)for quite a while before I got a keyer and a nice set of paddles. That somebody would take the time to make a key for a total stranger just reminds me of what a great community of individuals participate in our hobby. Joe, if you're still around, thanks again. 73...KR

[n5vkn]

I have been looking for a good set of paddles. Hmmm...Gives me some ideas hi hi. Great pics!!!

[KC2LNB]

Quote[/b] (w4khr @ Dec. 01 2006,13:24)]Those look wonderful. #I'm so envious. #And it brings to mind a favorite story of mine. #I had been out of ham radio for many years when I bought a Kenwood TS-430S from a friend. #I used to love CW but wasn't sure I could still copy it. #I started listening one morning to 30 meters. #I was able to copy ok and I heard somebody calling CQ. #I didn't have a straight key but I answered using the PTT switch on my mic. #I didn't know if that even worked, but Joe Dreher, W2TKG, came right back to me. #I think he said he was 90 years old at the time. #That was in 2001 so I'm not sure if he's still around. #Anyway, I told him that I didn't have a key and he got a kick out of that. #He told me his first key was made out of a saw blade. #We had a great QSO and it made me want to get back on CW. #About a week later, what arrives in the mail but a homemade key - of plywood and a saw blade. #I used that key (and have his QSL card prominently displayed in the center of my station)for quite a while before I got a keyer and a nice set of paddles. #That somebody would take the time to make a key for a total stranger just reminds me of what a great community of individuals participate in our hobby. #Joe, if you're still around, thanks again. #73...KR
Sorry but there are no more people like that anymore.Kevin

[KC2LNB]

Quote[/b] (w4khr @ Dec. 01 2006,13:24)]Those look wonderful. #I'm so envious. #And it brings to mind a favorite story of mine. #I had been out of ham radio for many years when I bought a Kenwood TS-430S from a friend. #I used to love CW but wasn't sure I could still copy it. #I started listening one morning to 30 meters. #I was able to copy ok and I heard somebody calling CQ. #I didn't have a straight key but I answered using the PTT switch on my mic. #I didn't know if that even worked, but Joe Dreher, W2TKG, came right back to me. #I think he said he was 90 years old at the time. #That was in 2001 so I'm not sure if he's still around. #Anyway, I told him that I didn't have a key and he got a kick out of that. #He told me his first key was made out of a saw blade. #We had a great QSO and it made me want to get back on CW. #About a week later, what arrives in the mail but a homemade key - of plywood and a saw blade. #I used that key (and have his QSL card prominently displayed in the center of my station)for quite a while before I got a keyer and a nice set of paddles. #That somebody would take the time to make a key for a total stranger just reminds me of what a great community of individuals participate in our hobby. #Joe, if you're still around, thanks again. #73...KR
Sorry but there are no more people like that anymore.Kevin

[K1BG]

Quote[/b] (w4khr @ Dec. 01 2006,13:24)]Those look wonderful. #I'm so envious. #And it brings to mind a favorite story of mine. #I had been out of ham radio for many years when I bought a Kenwood TS-430S from a friend. #I used to love CW but wasn't sure I could still copy it. #I started listening one morning to 30 meters. #I was able to copy ok and I heard somebody calling CQ. #I didn't have a straight key but I answered using the PTT switch on my mic. #I didn't know if that even worked, but Joe Dreher, W2TKG, came right back to me. #I think he said he was 90 years old at the time. #That was in 2001 so I'm not sure if he's still around. #Anyway, I told him that I didn't have a key and he got a kick out of that. #He told me his first key was made out of a saw blade. #We had a great QSO and it made me want to get back on CW. #About a week later, what arrives in the mail but a homemade key - of plywood and a saw blade. #I used that key (and have his QSL card prominently displayed in the center of my station)for quite a while before I got a keyer and a nice set of paddles. #That somebody would take the time to make a key for a total stranger just reminds me of what a great community of individuals participate in our hobby. #Joe, if you're still around, thanks again. #73...KR
KR - Great story.

Well, contrary to the comments of some, people like that are still around.

According to this QCWA Newsletter, Joe was at the October meeting. Check it out:

http://www.qcwa.org/chapter029-11.pdf

73 -

Bruce, K1BG

[ka5piu]

Hello.

The Rotobug looks cool but complex.
Driftwood paddles looks like it was a knife switch that was yanked out of its circuit and the terminal lugs are still there.
So, this means I am going to have to build a key and a paddle.
How about a key that will also work well as a paddle? has that been done before?
I do not intend to do anything with a bug, at least not now.

[KO4BB]

I am sorry that I did not know about the contest. I would have entered my key: http://www.ko4bb.com/ham_radio/key/

Didier KO4BB

[w5alt]

Rudolph, I'm not aware of one that is both paddles and straight key, except of course the combo models, which are 2 keys mounted on 1 base. That sounds like a nice challenge.

Didier, I'm sorry you didn't get the word, that looks like interesting work you've done.

Please both of you consider designing and building another variation for next year's award!

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[N7YA]

I like the story of Joe Dreher. and i must respectfully disagree with the gentleman who said there are no people like that still around. They may have decreased in number, but our hobby still has folks like Joe out there.

A few years ago i was chatting with someone about homebrew keys, i have been collecting junk from the jobsite i was working on to make some ugly little frankenstein with. I told him what i was doing and not a week later i get a box in the mail...it was a little HB key made out of an Altoids tin and some brass straps and bolts, i threw a ceramic cabinet door knob on it and got on the air and worked some DX with it. I still have it and i thank him for the kind gift.

Most folks in this world seem to have given up on eachother these days, but not everyone has.

Its a nice story about the good side of ham radio. Thanks.

73...Adam, N7YA

[N7YA]

Oh, i forgot to say...those HB keys look great!! the "film-reel bug" that won first place is killer! I wonder how these instruments handle?

73...Adam, N7YA

[N7YA]

Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Dec. 04 2006,16:40)]Please both of you consider designing and building another variation for next year's award!

73,
Walt, W5ALT
Walt, please let us know quite a ways out from the contest....i may dust off the old junk box and jump back in with an entry. looks like a lot of fun and i get to see some great keys.

Thanks for hosting the contest, its a great idea!!

ok...thats enough posting from me! :-)

73...Adam, N7YA

[w5alt]

Quote[/b] (N7YA @ Dec. 04 2006,23:14)]Walt, please let us know quite a ways out from the contest....i may dust off the old junk box and jump back in with an entry. looks like a lot of fun and i get to see some great keys.
The announcement was a little rushed this year, but the Homebrew Key competition will be each October, so you can start planning for 2007. Stay tuned to the SPAR web site for more details.

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[k0cmh]

I wish I had caught the announcement also.

I would like to re-create the "key" I once made in the military. As an RTTY operator in Germany, US Army, 1970-1972, we had taken out all the key from the radio rig for cleaning and maintenance. We had to go out on a weekly practice which included making contact with Division Headquarters. Usually the RTTY would not get through the local QRM so we would break out the keys and at least make contact with CW. Weeeeeellll, you know where the keys were that day. So we took apart a spare headphone set and stripped the two wires from it, connected the other end to the key jack and touched the two wires together to send. We made the contact and avoided a chewing-out by our Commanding Officer who would get chewed-out if we did not make weekly contact).

I'm going to have to try that again.

[K8MHZ]

It is possible to make a key out of an old credit card and two paper clips. #The higher end model has some glue on it to keep the clips from moving around.

Simple and unattractive but expeditious.