Morse Keys

This page is dedicated to the weird things I’ve used as morse code keys.

My practice key

I built this back in 2018, and used it to learn how to send morse code over the course of a few weeks.

Key features are:

• A key made from a paperclip and some aluminium foil
• A volume adjustment knob
• A buzzer to make a sound when the key is pressed

I later ended up modifying it to use two paperclips and wrote some software to turn it into an iambic keyer.

Another variation of this existed for portable use. I also wrote out a little morse code cheat sheet on the back incase I got stuck on something while practicing.

Paperclip straight key

Inspired by my practice key, I’ve occasionally used paperclips as straight keys into my HF radio.

PCIe key

Back when my only HF radio was a Pixie QRP kit, I built a simple straight key out of a PCIe slot cover.

A little while later, I redesigned this key to use some scrap wood as its base. I still occasionally this key, but I find the metal-on-metal clacking sound it makes to be a little annoying.