Reconsidering the Nye Master Key …

Tuesday, July 5, 2016 — While cruising eBay listing over the weekend, I couldn’t help but notice several Nye Master Keys listed. My experience with the Master Key was not the best, but judging from the eHam reviews, the key has a substantial following.

s-l1600My Master Key has a microswitch inside, and the key lever pushes down on the switch to close it. From what I read, there are Master Keys built with a reed-type switch. On my key, the microswitch would stick intermittently closed, which made the key useless.

The Master Key is one of the best looking straight keys ever built; its as close to “sexy” as a straight key can possibly get. No exposed contacts, a nice wide base, good heft. After I replaced the microswitch, the key still felt mushy. What I’ve read is that the mushy feeling is due to the flexing of the bottom plate. Several owners have found a way to minimize the flexing and improving the key’s operation. I have mine around here somewhere, and I’m looking forward to finding it and giving it another run — with a mod or two to reduce the bottom plate flex.

I was surprised at the price Master Keys are bringing on eBay, but I probably shouldn’t be surprised. They haven’t been manufactured in years.

In closing, I have to give props to the William Nye Co. for continuing to manufacture its straight keys, which are proven by decades of use by hams and commercial operators. I own quite a view of them, and they’re solid performers (despite the fact I haven’t used a straight key in years outside SKN).

73 es CUL de KY4Z … SK … dit dit