Adversity

[N7APP]

I visited a friend the other day that some of you may have had contact with in the past. G3NOM had suffered a stroke just over 3 years ago and at present is able to move only his head. My comment and question is that I seem to remember reading of a key that is activated by blowing a slight puff of air, allowing CW to be sent. Would any of you know how I might be able to build such a key? Ray has for the past 3 years been able to hear, but not speak, for him to be able to communicate via CW would be a tremendous joy for not only him but all around him.
Thanks for any help.
N7APP

[M0DSZ]

About 35 years ago I made a device which relied on a coin-operated microswitch, one with a wire lever designed to be tripped by our old sixpence in a slot machine. It had a small V-shaped paper blade in a funnel and was actually to switch in event of a draught.

Using this route could you use an LED and photo-detector with some hysteresis? Perhaps in conjunction with a pair of timers to determine dot and dash length for Morse, then how would one determine Tx and Rx or tuning?

Could the gentleman operate a touch screen monitor with a blowpipe and a flap or cork ball in the end, I don't know how they work but assume it's a hand- (or finger)-capacitance effect?

My work colleague suggests there may be a commercial product to acheive the latter.

[ae4fa]

Search the ARRL site for something similar to 'puff/sip keyer.' It was a nice article in QST a couple of years ago.

[w8znx]

sip and puff

you do the search

mac

[N7APP]

Thanks to all. I have found the puff & sip arrl article, thanks again.