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For a straight key, I've used a J-37 for 50 years. The J-37 is identical to the J-38, but without the shorting lever. I'd recommend getting a good one of these (37 or 38), or maybe a Speed-X.

Remember, however, that a straight key is nothing more than a single-pole, single-throw switch, normally open, with a spring return. The Begali keys, the Kent keys and so many others are beautiful pieces of either art or machinery, but they are STILL SPST switches.

The guy on the other end of the QSO can't tell whether your key cost $5 or $500 and probably doesn't care. There's no reason at all, IMHO, to plunk down over $200-300 bucks for a gold-plated SPST switch.

[QUOTE="Beetle, post: 150835, member: 1066"] For a straight key, I've used a J-37 for 50 years. The J-37 is identical to the J-38, but without the shorting lever. I'd recommend getting a good one of these (37 or 38), or maybe a Speed-X. Remember, however, that a straight key is nothing more than a single-pole, single-throw switch, normally open, with a spring return. The Begali keys, the Kent keys and so many others are beautiful pieces of either art or machinery, but they are STILL SPST switches. The guy on the other end of the QSO can't tell whether your key cost $5 or $500 and probably doesn't care. There's no reason at all, IMHO, to plunk down over $200-300 bucks for a gold-plated SPST switch. [/QUOTE]

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