Selecting the right key
Nancy Kott, WZ8C
WORLDRADIO, August 2002

...Popular conversation topics among the slower-speed operators and newly licensed Hams revolved around what type of key to use and which brand and model to buy. I always recommend a straight key rather than an iambic paddle for a number of reasons.
Generally speaking, if you are a slow operator, you are slow because you have not attained the skill level of Instant Recognition. To achieve this skill, using a straight key will give you
extra learning reinforcement because using the manual motions of the key to create the letters helps your brain imprint the letters in your memory. It effectively does double duty: while
you are sending on the air, you are subconsciously reinforcing the code in your memory without putting in extra practice time. Using an iambic paddle can be nervewracking and overwhelming. You may be so worried about holding the paddles too long and making extra dots and dashes that you end up actually counting the tones. You should strive to get to the point where you instantly recognize the letter by its whole sound, not counting the number of dots and dashes. It is
difficult to send using an iambic key by sound while you are counting. Counting also leads to anxiety. If you start out counting, it will take more work to break that habit and will be a major
liability to your progress. Why not start out by sending with a straight key that will not only help you improve your mastery of the code but will also make it less nerve-wracking?
Straight keys also allow you to get a "feel" for the code and become "one"
with the code. The code is going straight from your brain, to your arm and you are manually forming the letter by moving your wrist to make each dot and dash. I believe that this
method of sending gives you an experience which iambic sending cannot.
Straight keys embody the romance of the olden days. There is a sense of history and tradition that is very important to Amateur Radio and I have noticed that tradition seems to be getting lost as
the requirements for licensing changes.If we lose the appreciation of tradition on our hobby, we lose something very fundamental; Ham radio will become just another way to communicate and
will cease to be magical and special.
Sending with a straight key can give you more confidence on the air because you have more control over what you send. When forming each letter with a straight key, you have more of a tendency
to pause between letters, leaving a much-needed space. Your code will be more readable. Remember - spaces are just as important as the dots and dashes!
And, another good point - you can get a very good straight key for a lot less money than you would spend for a good iambic paddle. If I have convinced you that a straight key is the way to go, which one should you choose? If you are lucky, you will have an Elmer who will loan you a key,
or you will find one at a hamfest or estate sale. This gives you a chance to examine it and try it before you buy. Proper adjustment and the "feel" of a key is very important. The feel is a
result of how well the machined parts fit together, the type of pivot system used, where the pivot point is located on the key arm, and how the spring adjustments are made. The key’s ability
to hold a setting is important, too. You don’t want a key that’s wobbly or sloppy or one you have to adjust frequently.
Feel is a matter of personal taste. Some people like a lot of spring tension on their keys, while some prefer a close gap needing only an almost imperceptible touch. Either way, good machining and balance is critical.
Value is another consideration. Luckily, keys seem to hold their value, so if you buy one that doesn’t suit you, you can sell it and get your money back. There are several good straight keys
on the market for under $60.
I have many straight keys, and Shurr is my favorite brand. The movement is smooth as silk, and it has just the right spring and adjustment abilities for me. The basic Schurr costs about $60. I
have not seen this key personally, but it appears to be the same quality as their other more expensive models, only with a less expensive base to reduce the price.
Nye has a long history of making quality products and makes a very nice straight key. Their Speed-X models are classic and are priced right - most of the models fall between $30 and $50.
Hi-Mound is another classic manufacturer that makes an affordable straight key. Most of the Hi-Mound keys come with a dust cover.
I recommend staying away from Llaves and Kent. Llaves are handmade, but hand-made does not necessarily mean quality made. I have two of them, and they are both sloppy and the quality of the machining is inconsistent. 
The quality of Kent keys is very good, but they are clunky and not very comfortable to use for extended periods of time. I do use a Kent for a bit on Straight Key Night, it makes a nice clacking sound that makes me feel like an old time telegrapher, but I don’t like it for everyday use. However, Kent makes their keys available in a kit form, which is an interesting
option and allows you to save some money should you decide to have one in your collection.
Vibroplex makes a wonderful straight key, but the standard version retails for about $150. It has a little different feel to it because the arm of the key extends quite a bit over the base, but it is very comfortable even when using it for long periods of time. I chatted with the owner of Vibroplex, Mitch Mitchell, at Dayton. Mitch told me he recommends a straight key to people who are learning the code or are new to getting on the air. He’s noticed resurgence in the buying of straight keys, which I take to be a good sign for the future of Amateur Radio.
Check around before making an investment in a key. Ask local Hams of you can try out their keys. If you’re lucky enough to attend a major hamfest, take the opportunity to examine the quality of the used keys for sale in the flea market to get an idea of what the different manufacturers have to offer. If you can find a used Vibroplex straight key cheap, snap it up. They sell replacement parts on their web site, so you should be able to fix it up and have a classic piece of history.
No matter what key you choose, USE it! Don’t be intimidated by the code speeds you hear on the air. Sure, they are using iambic paddles and are going fast enough to make your head spin. But, remember, they had to start somewhere - they weren’t born that way. You will get there, too. Tune to the top parts of the band, find an empty spot, take a few deep breaths and put out a SLOW CQ, remembering to put spaces between your characters and words. There are many , many others
who feel just as scared as you do - trust me, I get their letters. Someone has to make the first CQ. It may as well be you! You’ll be glad you did. Even if no one answers, you are acquiring
valuable on-the-air experience. Do it again and again, and you will become more relaxed and 
confident.