I don't do much with lessons anymore. The focus is to do plain text training every day. At the moment I train with 25/18 wpm. I can't get everything but I read that that is not important. You just go on with the next word or letter and don't think about what you missed. I think I slowly get it.
I don't make much CW QSOs right now. I don't have time to be in the shack in front of the radio. Besides that it is way too hot there. CWops helps me to go on to the next level. But at this moment I stopped the homework. I will pick it up later.
First time ever I connected my straight key. A Tsjech military key. I think a lot of amateurs have these keys as you can find them on many radio markets. I found a dutch site with description which mentions it is a WW2 key. But the key is way to new for a WW2 key. I found another site in the USA which mentions it is made in the 1950s. Nice to know that PRIJEM means RX and VISILANI means TX. This key has a switch in the cover which switches the key off when it is open. It also has a separate switch which turns on when the knob is pulled up. That is used to switch the original transceiver in RX.
See the 2 contacts in the cover.
I wanted to solder a female 3,5mm connector to the wire. But the wire is probabely made from stainless steel. You can't solder it.
Inside the key. The second contact is visible (red wires) those are not connected.
Decided to completely remove the cable. You see the strange kind of wire that was used. It probabely was made to last but not really usable for hamradio I think. Although the American website I previously mentioned showed how to connect an alternative way I think the long cable is not really handy in my shack. So this is what I did:
This is how it is connected to my radio now. Just a female connector and no long wire from the key.
And this is the result in the end:
Not bad I think for a first time straight key keying...
I ordered new QSL cards from Gennady UX5UO at the 4th of this month. Gennady wrote that it could be 5 weeks before I get them. But the package with a 1000 cards has been received today.
Packed in brown packaging paper and in a sheet with test prints from other QSL cards. Everything was fitted in a carton box. Excellent!
It is remarkable that I received this in only 20 days from a country that is unfortunately in war. Luckily Gennady is still in bussiness. And I can recommend him for your paper QSL prints and design.
Now a huge task awaits. I've been waiting too long replying to incoming cards. Other things took my time. Those who are waiting for so long will get my new QSL card via bureau as soon as possible.
