typewritercwkeyboard

Typewriter CW keyboard

by OH6DC

Using PC keyboard and software to send CW is easy, but the result may sound too machinelike and impersonal. This CW keyboard made of an old mechanical typewriter is different. In the true spirit of traditional CW, the operator has full control of dots and dashes in every character sent.

The typewriter was upgraded as follows: first a strip of metal was shaped like this...

... and then assembled over the typewriter bars. Electric tape and plastic cable ties were used to insulate the metal strip from chassis.

Keying cable was connected with alligator clips.

Only a small movement of finger is needed to produce a keying contact.