The J-37 I have is a KY-116G...Very plain, austere key...IMHO it is obvious that the 2 J-38's are of far superior construction, especially the pivot bearings...The J-38's also have a shorting switch, the J-37 does not, although I would never use that feature anyway...
I have a straight key labeled "CEL Z. A. 16929" on the bottom of the bakelite base, and "KEY W. T. 8 AMP No. 2 MK III" on the top...Anyone know anything about this key?...It was a gift and I was told it was Australian...
I only use these keys on SKN...I use the J-37 the most, but only because I have it mounted on a more stable home-made base...
Jerry, wa2dkg
>Jerry wrote:
>The J-37 I bought (surplus) came in it's original cardboard box and
>was mounted on a leg clip
A J-37 on the leg clip becomes a "J-45" under the old Army Signal Corps naming system, or a "KY-116/U" under the late-WWII to present Joint Army Navy naming system. They can be often found for less than $25 new, and are a great value, IMHO.
>Neither of my J-38's, mounted on black bakelite plates, bears a manufacture's name.
The J-38 was never intended for use in anything except Morse code classroom training sessions. It is not associated with any radio set in military service. It is probably the least durable and most cheaply made of military straight keys. Tons of them were surplused in the decades since WWII.
My favorite straight key isn't any of the many military keys I have. It is the commercial Nye Viking Model 330-001 Master Key, which comes with a nicely weighted base, and with enclosed keying contacts in the base that keep all voltages off the exposed key parts. Unfortunately, I believe it is discontinued and unavailable except as old stock, and then is pretty pricey when one is located.
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