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Old 18th Jan 2011, 1:25 pm   #1
David G4EBT
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Default Vintage Czech Morse Key

As a G-QRP Club member, I've noticed an advert in SPRAT for some time now, new old stock Czech Army Morse keys - 50 years old, complete with their lead and plug, still in their original wrapping and as good as new.

They started off at £30, but I noticed in the Winter SPRAT that the price had dropped to just £20 inc P&P (UK), £35 to Europe, and £37.50 to DX. At that price, I couldn't resist one as a stocking filler from Santa and it's just arrived.

Very nice to either use or to put on display.

I've attached a couple of pics, which don't really do justice to they key, which is bakelite, and has a flip up top which gives access to the gap adjustment.

I don't think they'll last long at this price!

They're from:

Mike Bowthorpe, G0CVZ (Peterborough) who accepts paypal or a cheque.

Although his address and e-mail are shown in the SPRAT ad, maybe to quote it in this post would not conform to forum rules, so anyone who needs any more details may wish to send me a PM.

I don't have any connection with Mike, I just thought that anyone on the forum who is interested in military memorabilia, or is after a nice Morse key to use, but who doesn't receive the SPRAT mag, might wish to know about it.

dit dit.

David
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Old 18th Jan 2011, 3:25 pm   #2
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

looks a very well made "Key", Just what I would expect from Czechoslovakia. The Czech's are excellent engineers and have produced some quite amazing things in the past.
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Old 18th Jan 2011, 5:10 pm   #3
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

You can buy these keys online here:-

http://www.czechmorsekeys.co.uk/index.html
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Old 18th Jan 2011, 6:11 pm   #4
David G4EBT
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

Thanks for spotting that Graham - curiously Mike doesn't give a website link in the SPRAT ad - only his e-mail and postal address, so I didn't check (no pun intended!) to see if he did indeed have a website.

His picture does the key more justice than did my shabby efforts.

Nice bit of kit eh?

(The plug is removable to fit say a jack plug, without having to hack it off the braided lead).

David
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Old 18th Jan 2011, 7:22 pm   #5
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

I've ordered myself two of the keys.

The same keys are available on eBay at a slightly higher price.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/g0cvz/m.html
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Old 18th Jan 2011, 9:52 pm   #6
g4aaw pete
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

Thanks for nothing David. I've had to buy one now !

Seriously though, they look very nice indeed.

Regards
Pete

Last edited by Station X; 18th Jan 2011 at 10:08 pm. Reason: Smilies fixed.
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Old 21st Jan 2011, 5:27 pm   #7
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

Hi Guys

Just found this site via the link stats on my site, so first thanks for putting the details up on the this site.

The advert to G-QRP went in after I put the site up, hence no reference to it; but it will be in the next ad.

The plug pins on the key fits 4mm sockets, so you can use wire mounted types and retain the key as it is ~ and still use it.

73
Mike
G0CVZ
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Old 21st Jan 2011, 10:52 pm   #8
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

Welcome to the forum Mike!

I'm really chuffed with my key - as fresh as the day it left the factory 50 years or so ago, with a lovely feel to it, and an interesting piece of history. These keys date from a time when Czechoslovakia still existed, and was 'behind the iron curtain' as part of the Eastern Bloc, prior to the 'Velvet Revolution' of 1989 (so called as there was no bloodshed). Shortly afterwards, Czechoslovakia spit into the two countries of the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Thanks for the advice re the 4mm pins on the plug.

David
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Old 22nd Jan 2011, 10:56 am   #9
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

I received my keys yesterday and they're brilliant.
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Old 22nd Jan 2011, 11:26 am   #10
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

Quote:
Originally Posted by David G4EBT View Post
These keys date from a time when Czechoslovakia still existed, and was 'behind the iron curtain' as part of the Eastern Bloc, prior to the 'Velvet Revolution' of 1989 (so called as there was no bloodshed). Shortly afterwards, Czechoslovakia spit into the two countries of the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Hi David.
I am lucky enough to have been to Czechoslovakia in 1981 driving there from Ayrshire in a Skoda 120LSE, The people were warm and friendly especially when they saw you were driving a Skoda! The engineering skills were and are second to none out there and the quality of the engineering even under the communist era shows the commitment the people had to their product and country.

I was back in 2006 and although things had changed some for the better some for the worse, the people were still lovely. If I could it is one country I would be happy to live in, and look at all those vintage cars that still run around every day.

Sorry for being OT
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Old 22nd Jan 2011, 7:45 pm   #11
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

My key arrived yesterday, excellent condition.
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Old 28th Jan 2011, 4:48 pm   #12
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

Mine arrived this morning, only ordered it yesterday

I love the grease proof paper and the stores label.

Robin

G5HI
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Old 31st Jan 2011, 9:12 pm   #13
Jeffreyabb
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

Mine caught me by surprise, came only a couple of days after ordering. Excellent piece of kit. Thanks.
Jeff
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Old 21st Jun 2012, 5:16 pm   #14
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Default

Hi All

I have now added a page which shows an exploded view of the key.

http://www.czechmorsekeys.co.uk/index.html

When I actually took one apart I was very surprised to find 3 springs on there and the spring that looks like the main spring is actually to take up any bearing slack. Talk about an over engineered job ~ what did they cost to make?

Mike B
G0CVZ
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Old 23rd Jun 2012, 9:58 am   #15
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

I sent off for one yesterday. It came this morning and is a beautiful thing with a lovely quiet smooth action.

Thanks Mike I'm very pleased.

Jim
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Old 4th Oct 2012, 2:49 am   #16
VE3VEE Marvin
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

Hello everyone!

I used this key in the 1970's to learn my Morse code while living in Czechoslovakia. That was the key most (if not all) hams used there those days. (I do not recall ever coming across a broken one.)

I just placed an order for one as I'm getting ready to return to the ham radio hobby after 25+ years of being QRT. I hope I will still find the hobby interesting.
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Old 4th Oct 2012, 2:10 pm   #17
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

There is a second Czech key. A few guys who were said to work at Skoda made and sold paddles along the lines of Bencher paddles.

Incidentally, Skoda made the shaft and hub for the big wheel in London. No other foundry could do a forging that size it was said.

The Czech bakelite keys have a gorgeous feel. I might succomb at Rishworth. My RAF 'D' could use a break.

Cheers
David GM4ZNX
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Old 5th Oct 2012, 11:42 am   #18
MichaelR
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

You will still find the hobby interesting if you are a "morse man" , I have been using the Czech key for sometime now and it really is excellent.It is the only key I prefer to use other than my American J-38.

Regards
Mike
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Old 8th Nov 2012, 1:58 am   #19
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

I ordered two Czech keys last Thursday and I have just answered the door bell and they have arrived here in pristine condition. And aren't they a lovely key. Nice feel about them. Can't wait to try one on air.
Delivery fantastic as I live in country New South Wales, Australia. Not bad eh? Half way across the world and I have them in a week. Can't get much better than that. Oh, I will add that I do not have any interest in the sale of these. Just impressed that's all.
Cheers.

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Old 7th Feb 2013, 11:45 pm   #20
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Default Re: Vintage Czech Morse Key

I bought one at the Newark show, but being mean I bought a rusty one which he sells, did find some rust on the base which does not affect the key in any way.
A very nice key to use.
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