I have a J-38 that belonged to my Father when he was in the Navy during WWII. It still looks like new (he took very good care of it), and I'm using it now with a practice oscillator in an attempt to learn Morse Code.
Nice look at the J-38 Dave! These nostalgic keys hold a certain charm. I have two of them, both are complete, and all parts are original the best I can tell. I find them a pleasure to operate and could easily make one my main key even though I have much better made keys. 73!
A guy named Thompson invented a cross tip screw in 1933. The shorting bar was used to key the transmitter with out interruption so you can peak and teak (tune the transmitter). When you open the shorting lever you tap the key to make the dots and dashes.
I bought my first key (J-38) in 1957 for about a dollar, in the box. From "GI Surplus" in Corpus Christi, TX. I still have it. I used it to key my first (homebrew) 75W Novice transmitter.
I had a J-37 many years ago, until a friend "borrowed" it about 35 years ago. Alas, I'll probably never see another one for $4, which I remember paying at a local hamfest.
My J-38 from the early 60s when I was in high school is the only key I own. For a while way back then it was paired with another J-38, with both mounted on edge, and used to control an electronic keyer I built (probably from a QST article) that used 12AX7 vacuum tubes.
Thanks Dave! I knew these are considered the classic straight key, but had no idea about the history behind them or how they worked in practice. How would you connect these to a modern rig, without one of the cloth cords? I assume the hot lead of a cord would go to one end and the shield would go to the other?
I collect keys and do CW daily. I have about 5 J38 keys. There are about 6 variants of the J38 that were used with only slight differences. I have some expensive straight keys but the J38 is one of the best for the money you spend. 73 de WA9SWW . .
