Switches

In the 20th century I built a Morse code project from February 1987 QST called: Morsemaster II:

I used an old GE "Convertible" tube/clock/portable radio as the case (I still have the clock part of the radio somewhere).  Before anyone complains about defacing a classic radio I'll only say that it was a nice radio but it was always breaking down.  Fortunately GE used "nice" plastic for the case and even though it's about as old as I am, the plastic is still in good shape.

I always had trouble with the Morsemaster II - years later I realized it was mostly due to those inexpensive momentary switches from Radio Shack.  They are the three red buttons in the photo.  I stopped using the Morsemaster, never got over the 20 wpm hump for Extra, and then eventually Morse was eliminated and I lost the yen to upgrade.

I suspect that those switches have a lot of contact bounce but with enough variation so that sometimes they work fine but usually not.

Anyway, those Radio Shack switches were one of the reasons why I started selling the C&K switches, such as the 8121.  They are just much better, with a tactile click and positive, repeatable action.

http://wb9kzy.com/switch.htm

And as can be seen from the Radio Shack 1987 catalog, page 114:

I used item 18

Those switches weren't even that cheap at about 50 cents each, that inflates to $1.36 today:

I sell the NOS, made in USA, C&K 8121 momentary switch, panel mount for $2 each, step up to quality !  There's nothing worse than a balky momentary switch in electrical equipment !

Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm