On Apr 2, 4:21�pm, Fred McKenzie wrote:

My favorite straight key is a WWII
surplus J-38, mounted on a more
stable base.

The Model J-37 is the same key without
a shorting switch. �

They're similar, but not the same key. Both are good choices IMHO.

Here are links to pictures so you can recognize them:

J-37 (sometimes called "J-41" when mounted on its knee-clamp base):

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/...a553a9acf4.jpg


J-38:

http://www.hamradiocenter.biz/photos/preowned/j-38.jpg


Note that the J-37 has a plastic base and painted-steel lever, while
the J-38 is almost all metal.

----

Morse Code lo The shorting switch on keys was not originally
intended as a tune-up aid.

In the wire-telegraph days, many line circuits were left normally
closed when not in use. That way, any break in the line would be
detected. The shorting switch was used to close the line when *not*
sending.

In radio use, it could be used for tuneup, of course. Also, when a
ship was in grave distress and the radio operator was abandoning ship,
the shorting switch would be closed so that the transmitter would stay
on the air as long as possible.

73 de Jim, N2EY