Straight Key J37 or J38

[WILLIS COOKE]

I bought four keys at EBay auction two weeks ago, A
J37, a J38, a Navy Flameproof and a Russian Minature.
They ranged in price from $31 to $37 and I considered
them bargains.  The last time I tried these keys were
going for $80 to $100 which I refused to pay, even for
collectibles, so I bought a Bencher RJ-1 new.  It is a
far better key than the others.  I have heard good
things about the Junker, but I have not used one.  For
an every day key, I would recommend the Bencher RJ1 or
the RJ2 if you like a chrome base for about $100 or
$120 respectively.  For a $3 key, see my CW Hinge junk
box key.  It is as easy to use as the J37 or J38, but
not as easy as the Bencher.

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke
K5EWJ
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[Ken Kopp-3]

Cookie, others ...

I've been a CW op since 1951 and at one time even
earned a living as a shipboard RO.  I recently sold
a straight key collection of almost 200 keys on eBay.
Some brought astounding prices ... one $1501 !

The Bencher RJ-1/2 is ... in my opinion ... indeed an
excellent  key and I have one beside my K3.  The
flameproof "Navy key" is also an fine unit.  The J-38
family of keys are "good", but nothing special.  My
pick of all however, is a brass key made in the '30's
by Signal Electric, and I kept mine.  I mounted it of
a piece of marble obtained as a tombstone sample. (:-))

If just learning to send code -most- important advice I can
offer is to -never- let the forearm touch the able.  The thumb
and next two fingers rest on the key's knob and the elbow
on the table.  The wrist becomes a flexible spring.  NEVER
rest the arm on the table and use the wrist for the up-and-
down motion.  You -will- develop the infamous "glass fist".

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
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