An Inexpensive Morse Practice Key

The following outlines a practical way to make an inexpensive key to practice morse code key. It was developed to teach kids in Jr. High School, priced such that they can take it home with them. Who knows, some day in the future they might return to ham radio and the morse code!
[I feel being able to send decent code is essential part of learning: if you can't send decent CW, you are not "hearing" the CW correctly]

The price for each key is less than $5.00 not including labor. See price break out at the end of this section.

The completed key. It handles well...and you can send good CW with it. It is not a J-38...but the price is right!
A knob could be added with additional expense.
Notice the short wire near the mounting screw that is used to lift the front up off the front contact (which is a wood screw)

The "kit" of parts. The kids can assemble the key with a phillips screwdriver. No soldering!
This has to be better than just handing a key to the kids. Also you can spend time spending
time reviewing electric theory on how this unit works.
It was felt that the phillips screwdriver is safer to use than a blade style.

The parts on the right and an assembled key on the right.

Parts list

Burbank Radio Club - Morse Key Project - 11 March 2004
(Prices shown for 20 keys)

Item	Quantity	Price	Unit Price
Battery Clip	20	$10.65	$0.53
Buzzer	20	$71.80	$3.59
Wood base 1x4 pine cut to 8"	20	$5.39	$0.27
Screw driver-cheap phillips	1	$2.48
Fahanstock clip	100	$15.00	$0.15
Battery - student supplied (PC material donated)
	Total	$105.32	$4.54

Parts

Item	Dimensions
Base	4" by 8" Sanded and urathane finish or paint
Key - cut scrap copper clad PC material	1" by 5"
Buzzer - tone generator	Radio Shack "buzzer" #272-060
Fahanstock clips	Basic Science Supplies (www.basicsciencesupplies.com)
wood screws	#6 x 3/4" round head phillips wood screws
wire; one long and one short	9" and 4"