Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 — Greetings once again from the shack — er, library — of KY4Z. This time I do have a couple of additions to report to the key collection, as well as some eBay observations to report.
I recently picked up a Cedar Rapids bug in the original box with wedge cord, all in original condition. This was the landline model that was equipped with the circuit closer. It isn’t necessarily pristine or ultra-collectible. The Cedar Rapids bug is (in my opinion) a utilitarian key that works well. If it takes a nose dive to the floor, I wouldn’t have nearly the conniption fit I would if the same thing happened to one a 100th Anniversary Vibroplex bug.
RELIABLE BY-1. I picked up a Bencher BY-1 on eBay recent for a bargain basement price. Again, not because I needed to add one to my collection, but because 
I wanted to keep one here in the library operating “desk.”
The homebrew FYO key I’ve been using works well, but the base is thin aluminum and the key is very light and must be held with the other hand while in use. The Bencher action is light, the base has sufficient weight to keep it in one spot — nuff said. Using it like getting reacquainted with an old friend.
I used it a couple of nights, then the dah paddle started working intermittently. I messed with the under-base wiring, looking for a broken wire, without success. Finally I realized I was looking on the wrong end of the cable; the break was in the 1/4-inch connector. Last night I started to use the homebrew FYO-style key, and danged if it didn’t have a dead paddle too — a broken wire under the base — go figure!
Poor Willis, the NCS! He’s calling the net, and I’m running out of working keys. My final option is the Nye Master key that’s still here. I plug it in and wait to check-in. Without a little warm-up, my fist sounds like a Sparks whose been out a night too long on shore leave … more than a little rough. I manage ok, and end the net thankful for his forgiving ear and patience.
BRIT COM. Tonight I wasn’t interested in using the Nye Master Key to check into the Georgia net, so I moved to the shack. I couldn’t get either paddle repaired in time for the net, so I grabbed another key that was ready to go — one of my Kent dual paddle iambic keys.
I forgot what a sweet key the Kent is. Bought this one minus the paddles. It has a lot of patina, which surprisingly, has prompted some Kent owners to give the key bad marks. The patina doesn’t affect its operation, and that’s part of its appeal to me. If you’re really into making your Kent shine, a little polish and elbow grease is all it takes.
At right you can see what the key looked like when i bought it 4 years ago. Looks like the patina change is all on me. The Kent arrived without the paddles and name badge, both of which I corrected.
Time to pull the switch … 73 es CUL … de KY4Z SK. ….. dit dit ….