01/08/2005 | W3CB Only got on a little this year. Still using the key I was given as a Novice in 1962 or so. (See Picture) When I first got my Novice license (WN8EOO), I borrowed a homebrew transmitter and homebrew 80/40 receiver and set up a station. Didn't have a key so Harvey Ball W8FYX (SK) scrounged around his basement and came up with this key. It was missing the spring tension screw so he used a small screw eye in its place. My dad mounted it on the piece of veneer and away I went. I've been through a number of rigs over the years up to my current TenTec Omni VI+ and FT-897 but kept the key. I use a paddle for contests and traffic but still use the key every week for the Maryland Slow Net training. Still works great. I see no markings of who made it but it did have a 5 digit serial number stamped on the bottom. It looked old in 1962 but have no idea of when it was made. I just know it keeps working and working.

Cliff -- W3CB