[BVARC] CW key device

[Jeff Greer]

River makes sense.  This is Continuous Wave, after all.

________________________________
From: Richard Bonica <kg5ycu at gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 4:30 PM
To: Jeff Greer <greerjw at hotmail.com>
Cc: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <bvarc at bvarc.org>; Chris Medlin <ctmedlin at outlook.com>; Daniel Poirot <dtpoirot at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [BVARC] CW key device

Ok - what i can do is put a switch in the garden hose- then the pressure from the water can trip the contact.. Just need to be able to quickly open and close the water.  This also adds a feature to make sure you drink enough water.. when the bucket below the faucet fills, you drink it. There we go another featuer to add.. Oh and I can have funnel tat feeds a top bucket that runs off a river flow. Then we can throw a generator in the water flow and generate electricity...

OH - It is going to be a fun meeting this evening -- Rick is in trouble.

Richard Bonica
C: 281.935.7222
Email: kg5ycu at gmail.com<mailto:kg5ycu at gmail.com>
Freq: 147.000 - DMR - Digital Mobile
Territory: NE Fort Bend
CERT, CST, EST, WEB EOC, HSEEP, FEMA PD, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Extra Ameture Radio

On Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 4:21 PM Jeff Greer <greerjw at hotmail.com<mailto:greerjw at hotmail.com>> wrote:
Won't fit.  You need USB-C to Copper Waterpipe.  ;-)
________________________________
From: BVARC <bvarc-bounces at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc-bounces at bvarc.org>> on behalf of Chris Medlin via BVARC <bvarc at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc at bvarc.org>>
Sent: Thursday, October 9, 2025 4:18 PM
To: bvarc at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc at bvarc.org> <bvarc at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc at bvarc.org>>
Cc: Chris Medlin <ctmedlin at outlook.com<mailto:ctmedlin at outlook.com>>; Richard Bonica <kg5ycu at gmail.com<mailto:kg5ycu at gmail.com>>; Daniel Poirot <dtpoirot at gmail.com<mailto:dtpoirot at gmail.com>>; bvarc at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc at bvarc.org> <bvarc at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc at bvarc.org>>
Subject: Re: [BVARC] CW key device

Richard,

Have you tried incorporating the garden hose to USB-C adapter? (Picture attached)

[image0.jpeg]

At least with the USB-C you wont have to flip it, and then flip it again, then flip it again to plug it in.

73/Chris/AC5CM
Just injecting laughs into the thread.

Typos brought to you by iPhone

On Oct 9, 2025, at 12:11, Richard Bonica via BVARC <bvarc at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc at bvarc.org>> wrote:


Thank you. That is the thing - there are so many out there but all have little issues when bringing out into the field. What I am trying to do is mix all these little parts together.
If you are going to be at the meeting tonight, I have a prototype I am working on and you can see.
These CW guys definitely have made this a deep subject.
If you are not into CW, definitely look at it. Even if you do not learn the code, their world is DEEEP!!!!!

On Thu, Oct 9, 2025 at 11:16 AM Daniel Poirot via BVARC <bvarc at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc at bvarc.org>> wrote:
I am not yet a CW-er, but I have been a fan of 3D printing for a while.

Please review the stuff on Thingiverse!!!

https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=amature+radio+cw+key&page=1


On Thu, Oct 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM Richard Bonica via BVARC <bvarc at bvarc.org<mailto:bvarc at bvarc.org>> wrote:
To All,
I have started down a path that I thought was a simple task. I have not found that it has more twist and bends than a snake with an itch.

I am making 3d printable key for CW. I have found that there are more than 1 or two buttons. There are different adjustments and modes and mechanical tweeks that can be done.

What I am trying to make is a 3d printable key that can be taken out into POTA, SOTA, and EM Comms. It will have minimal moving parts and nothing that flexes that can snap. It will be magnet based and wires will be copper plate covered to prevent damage as well as to be easily replaced in the field with a piece of tape..

What I am looking for is a Document, Pamphlet, or Book on these devices explaining the difference in types and settings that are associated with them. Example is explaining why Straight Key, Sideswiper, Single-Lever Paddle, Dual-Lever Paddle, or Semi-Automatic Key would be used and what settings are needed to make it a functional device. I also have realized that keys are kind of personal to each operator and was trying to figure out how deep it goes that operators customize the device.

So thank you all in advance and hope to make a few for our members to try and have for out in our future operations and events.


P.S. CW is not Dit and Dah -- a lot of "AH HA" in there too..
--
Richard Bonica
C: 281.935.7222
Email: kg5ycu at gmail.com<mailto:kg5ycu at gmail.com>
Freq: 147.000 - DMR - Digital Mobile
Territory: NE Fort Bend
CERT, CST, EST, WEB EOC, HSEEP, FEMA PD, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Extra Ameture Radio
________________________________________________
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--
Richard Bonica
C: 281.935.7222
Email: kg5ycu at gmail.com<mailto:kg5ycu at gmail.com>
Freq: 147.000 - DMR - Digital Mobile
Territory: NE Fort Bend
CERT, CST, EST, WEB EOC, HSEEP, FEMA PD, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Extra Ameture Radio
________________________________________________
Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club

BVARC mailing list
BVARC at bvarc.org<mailto:BVARC at bvarc.org>
http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
Publicly available archives are available here: https://www.mail-archive.com/bvarc@bvarc.org/
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