OT: morse keys , pricing

[Johnny Siu]

Hello Group,
 
I seldom use CW in the past.  As I become older, my interest of CW comes back.  From time to time, I see many CW keys available in ebay at a variety of price range.  How can I know the prices are right?  Any web sites about morse keys collection?  Any publication about history of famous morse key collectors?
 
Sorry for the band width but I know there are many learnt expert in this reflector.

TNX & 73,


Johnny VR2XMC
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[Tony Estep]

Johnny, this is a question that will bring a lot of varying opinions. The
Schurr Profi is a truly great key. Mr Schurr no longer makes them, but the
design is now made by Scheunemann:
http://www.mtechnologies.com/scheun/

and was reviewed in QST May 2010 along with the Begali Simplex, another
top-of-the-line key. Get a great key and it'll be a joy every time you send
a dit.

73,
Tony KT0NY


On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 1:34 AM, Johnny Siu <[hidden email]> wrote:

> ...I see many CW keys...
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[Bill K9YEQ]

Don't rule out the N3ZN keys made by Tony.  These are very nice machined
keys at more reasonable prices.  I have the QRP model which he has recently
updated and I will probably order one of them as well.  I have the earlier
version set next to the Begali Traveller.  The N3ZN is very compact and is
made of solid brass.  I like  switching back and forth between it and the
Begali.  I use both keys in parallel to the K3.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

-----Original Message-----

Johnny, this is a question that will bring a lot of varying opinions. The
Schurr Profi is a truly great key. Mr Schurr no longer makes them, but the
design is now made by Scheunemann:
http://www.mtechnologies.com/scheun/

and was reviewed in QST May 2010 along with the Begali Simplex, another
top-of-the-line key. Get a great key and it'll be a joy every time you send
a dit.

73,
Tony KT0NY

On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 1:34 AM, Johnny Siu <[hidden email]> wrote:

> ...I see many CW keys...

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[AC7AC]

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[Johnny Siu]

Thanks everybody replies to me on this OT.  If I do not thank you personally by private email, please forgive me my oversight.
 
This reflector is wonderful that I can draw expertise from variety of areas (some even not ham radio related)

TNX & 73,


Johnny VR2XMC

從︰ Bill K9YEQ <[hidden email]>
收件人︰ 'Tony Estep' <[hidden email]>; 'Johnny Siu' <[hidden email]>
副本(CC)︰ 'Elecraft' <[hidden email]>
傳送日期︰ 2011年07月9日 (週六) 1:56 AM
主題︰ RE: [Elecraft] OT: morse keys , pricing

Don't rule out the N3ZN keys made by Tony.  These are very nice machined
keys at more reasonable prices.  I have the QRP model which he has recently
updated and I will probably order one of them as well.  I have the earlier
version set next to the Begali Traveller.  The N3ZN is very compact and is
made of solid brass.  I like  switching back and forth between it and the
Begali.  I use both keys in parallel to the K3.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

-----Original Message-----

Johnny, this is a question that will bring a lot of varying opinions. The
Schurr Profi is a truly great key. Mr Schurr no longer makes them, but the
design is now made by Scheunemann:
http://www.mtechnologies.com/scheun/

and was reviewed in QST May 2010 along with the Begali Simplex, another
top-of-the-line key. Get a great key and it'll be a joy every time you send
a dit.

73,
Tony KT0NY
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[Rick McGaver]

I like his keys so much that I ordered my second specially made key by N3ZN,
Tony.  I have limited feeling in my fingers and need an extra heavy base.
My first key that I purchase a year ago is a ZN-3A. I like it because it's
heavy and very smooth. Nice feeling! And my second has been shipped and will
be here Monday is a ZN-5H which weighs 4lbs 7oz.  I'm going to love it. If
you need something special he is a guy that goes the Extra Mile.
I am not related to N3ZN nor do I have a financial interest in his business.
I just like the QUALITY and the Personal Service.
I am that Extremely Satisfied Customer.
Rick  NK  9G
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill K9YEQ" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Tony Estep'" <[hidden email]>; "'Johnny Siu'"
<[hidden email]>
Cc: "'Elecraft'" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2011 12:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: morse keys , pricing

> Don't rule out the N3ZN keys made by Tony.  These are very nice machined
> keys at more reasonable prices.  I have the QRP model which he has
> recently
> updated and I will probably order one of them as well.  I have the earlier
> version set next to the Begali Traveller.  The N3ZN is very compact and is
> made of solid brass.  I like  switching back and forth between it and the
> Begali.  I use both keys in parallel to the K3.
>
> 73,
> Bill
> K9YEQ
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Johnny, this is a question that will bring a lot of varying opinions. The
> Schurr Profi is a truly great key. Mr Schurr no longer makes them, but the
> design is now made by Scheunemann:
> http://www.mtechnologies.com/scheun/
>
> and was reviewed in QST May 2010 along with the Begali Simplex, another
> top-of-the-line key. Get a great key and it'll be a joy every time you
> send
> a dit.
>
> 73,
> Tony KT0NY
>
> On Fri, Jul 8, 2011 at 1:34 AM, Johnny Siu <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> ...I see many CW keys...
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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[Kevin Luxford]

If you are looking at second hand keys, then your only real guide is
what you are prepared to pay.  Market prices are at the intersection of
willing buyer and willing seller levels of satisfaction.

A second hand key that I can recommend is the German Junker from around
WWII.  It has a click-indented gap adjustment which is absolutely
repeatable, the key has a hinged dust cover, and the action is superb.
Excellent German engineering.  I own one, and my friend, Barry, ZL1DD,
who is an avid CW user, says it is the nicest key he has ever used.

As for new keys, the advice of others on this list, and the evaluations
on eham would be your best guide.

All the best with your search

73
Kevin
VK3DAP / ZL2DAP

On 8/07/2011 4:34 PM, Johnny Siu wrote:

> Hello Group,
>
> I seldom use CW in the past.  As I become older, my interest of CW comes back.  From time to time, I see many CW keys available in ebay at a variety of price range.  How can I know the prices are right?  Any web sites about morse keys collection?  Any publication about history of famous morse key collectors?
>
> Sorry for the band width but I know there are many learnt expert in this reflector.
>
> TNX&  73,
>
>
> Johnny VR2XMC
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

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[Bill W4ZV]

Tony Estep wrote

and was reviewed in QST May 2010 along with the Begali Simplex, another
top-of-the-line key.

I also have a Begali Simplex Mono but much prefer the N3ZN ZN-SL (both are single levers).  I'm upset with Begali because my paddle had a dissimilar metals problem with the contacts (a fundamental design flaw).  Over time these acted as diodes and caused keying problems (and I certainly don't need any help in creating sending errors!)  I contacted Begali numerous times about replacement contacts but never got so much as a reply to my emails.  This problem has since been solved in production by using silver contacts but my Begali sits unused because I don't want to sell it "as is" and I have no way to fix it because of the poor customer service.  Too bad they don't provide service like Elecraft!  

73,  Bill

[Nr4c]

Just received my Elecraft HEXKEY this week.  Using for first time on the
IARU contest.  It's great.  Nice feel, workmanship and weight.  Nice 'bang
for the buck'.

bill   nr4c

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill W4ZV [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2011 4:58 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: morse keys , pricing


Tony Estep wrote:
>
> and was reviewed in QST May 2010 along with the Begali Simplex, another
> top-of-the-line key.
>

I also have a Begali Simplex Mono but much prefer the N3ZN ZN-SL (both are
single levers).  I'm upset with Begali because my paddle had a dissimilar
metals problem with the contacts (a fundamental design flaw).  Over time
these acted as diodes and caused keying problems (and I certainly don't need
any help in creating sending errors!)  I contacted Begali numerous times
about replacement contacts but never got so much as a reply to my emails.
This problem has since been solved in production by using silver contacts
but my Begali sits unused because I don't want to sell it "as is" and I have
no way to fix it because of the poor customer service.  Too bad they don't
provide service like Elecraft!  

73,  Bill

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