Thursday, March 3, 2011 — I’ve been getting some eBay goodies the last few days — mostly nothing huge, but I did snap up a one-of-a-kind CW key.
Technically, its a “two-of-a-kind” key built by Wayne Smith, K8FF, designer of the Vibroplex Code Warrior and the “Kranker knob” that I reviewed in my previous post.
The key is a “proof-of-concept” key that is one of three that Wayne built; its a bit larger than the Code Warrior. Like the Code Warrior, it uses magnets for lever tension rather than springs. In his auction listing, Wayne wrote that he built three of these keys, and he decided to list two of them. I (literally) stumbled across the auction listing in its first 30 minutes after it was posted. Knowing the designer of the key, and the fact it was one of two prototypes he was selling, I decided to jump on the very reasonable Buy It Now price he had attached to the key — $125.
I bought the first key, and the second one was snapped the next day. The key arrived today, and its a honey — it has an incredibly smooth feel, and its larger than the Code Warror, making it a very nice size on the desk.
Unlike the Code Warrior kits that were sold by NorCal QRP Club, these key, which is as yet unnamed, features some nice refinements, including silver contact points. I don’t know if this key will be produced in complete for or kitted; its a larger key than most QRP keys, and heavier too. The key has a very nice — almost alarming — action, since it uses magnets instead of springs, and requires little effort since there’s no physical tensioning of the levers.
I haven’t played the key on the air yet, I’m still getting used to the feel. I’m curious to see if this key will see the light of day … could it be the next Vibroplex key??
More thoughts about it as I get the key on the air … until then, 73 es CUL …