Magnetic straight key

G

GM0WEZ

Super Member
I've seen (but never tried) paddles with magnetic return instead of springs. But I've never seen a straight key with this arrangement. Does such a thing exist? And are magnetic paddles better in feel than those with springs?
 
Interesting. I like the N0SA key's custom storage for the Allen key in the base. Bit like the Marconi Marine 365EZ which had storage for spare contacts built in.

Neodymium magnets are cheap enough these days but the mounting and adjustment of them might not be straightforward.
 
GM0WEZ said:
Neodymium magnets are cheap enough these days but the mounting and adjustment of them might not be straightforward.
Click to expand...

It seems that most of the paddle makers using magnets make a point of mentioning the extra-fine threads for adjustments, and I've seen at least one with small setscrews to lock those adjustment screws.  I've never seen a straight key with magnets for sale on the used equipment lists, though.

Glenn AE0Q
 
I don't remember seeing any second hand ones either. Maybe it's because the magnets just are not strong enough to produce the same pull/push as a spring, at least over a reasonable range of travel of the arm of the key?

Just found these ones for sale >>> https://www.k7su.com/key/

If you scroll down the page on the site above you can find some (small) links to two videos about his keys.

73, Mark...
 
Magnetic force is not linear versus distance. Springs are linear ... at least in the range that they are normally used in.

Hey, my 1st post on the Ham Radio Forum!
 
AE8W said:
Magnetic force is not linear versus distance. Springs are linear ... at least in the range that they are normally used in.

Hey, my 1st post on the Ham Radio Forum!
Click to expand...

Maybe that's why they only really use magnets for paddles where the movement is generally very small. By contrast I've seen some straight keys with huge gaps by comparison.

Welcome to the Ham Radio Forum by the way! :)

73, Mark...
 
This one looks nice.  It is from a fairly new entrant in the US:

https://www.af6l.com/p/straight-key.html

It has a positive though not very detailed review on eham.net, and I think there are some youtube videos of it.  I haven't tried it or seen one myself.  It's way out of my price range for now, but maybe someday.  I'd get the setup with all three arm heights.
 
I started following those guys when they first popped up on kick-starter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/af6l/the-spirit-morse-key with their dual paddle key.

They produce some nice keys, but I think their main market is the U.S.

Looking at the link you posted it seems they might now be open to international orders, but I'm pretty sure when I looked in to buying one of their dual paddle keys a while ago they would not ship overseas.

I still think it's amazing to find a relatively new Morse Key manufacturer starting up and apparently doing well. bd

73, Mark...

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top