Oldest key (or other equipment) still in use in the shack.

[GM0WEZ]

My main key now is a PS213, which I think is pre-WW2, maybe 1930s.

What's the oldest equipment in regular use in your shack?

 

[Kd5txx]

I use an old J38.

 

[Ham4CW]

I use an old J38.

Is your key still fitted on the original Bakelite base plate, or have you mounted it some other way?

I think I might have one somewhere in the house, but my keys are scattered around in boxes and bags, and I sometimes 'loose' one for a few years! ;D

73, Mark...

 

[GM0WEZ]

I put it on an aluminium base and fitted a curly lead. Portishead style.

 

[Kd5txx]

I actually have 2.  Both are on the bacolite bases.  I actually used one in my truck up until a few months ago.  It sat on my console.  I finally switched to a paddle in the truck because it is much easier to use when I am driving. . I?m not really fast yet.  I usually hold the base while I operate.  I am going to find a nice piece of wood to mount it to though.

 

[Ham4CW]

Wow, operating CW while driving a truck!

There used to be a UK ham I listened to years ago who would run CW while driving his car around town, and up and down the highways. His Morse was excellent, not sure about his driving though! ;D

You'll have to post a picture when you get five minutes.

My 'CW operating' while in the car is limited to listening to one of the many Morse tutors I have laying around the place. I find it far more relaxing than the local radio presenters giving constant time checks and talking drivel.

73, Mark...

 

[Kd5txx]

When I say truck I mean pickup truck.  I do 80% of my radio activity mobile.  I average 50,000 miles a year.  Here is my current paddle setup.  Very easy to use.

 

[Kd5txx]

Another pic.

 

[Ham4CW]

Is the key (which is very neat!) held down somehow, with say Blutak or Velcro, or is it heavy enough to stay put under its own weight?

Also, do you find you need to run a reasonable amount of power, say 50W-100W, or do you just use QRP levels?

The reason I ask is that many mobile antenna have poor efficiency figures, especially for the lower bands, with some quoted as only being around 1% efficient!

73, Mark...

 

[Kd5txx]

It is velcroed down with heavy duty Velcro.  I do run the radio at 100 watts.  I?m using a ham stick and I?m sure it is very inefficient.  It works well enough to keep me happy though.  The truck is the only radio that I don?t run QRP.  I?ve made around 500 QSOs in my truck this year. Most were US but I have confirmed Hawaii, France, Portugal, Spain and Cuba also.  Most on 40m.

 

[G0KVL]

Mobile CW , incredible , must have a lot of big straight roads, as oldest key goes I use a Lionel J-36 i believe is 1942 , this is my main key, though I do use at times my 1944 Vibroplex Champion.