For today's 10000: amateur radio operators call Morse code "CW" since it's a Continuous Wave (unmodulated) transmission while you're pressing the key. The most basic kind is a straight key which simply transmits when you push and stops when you let go. Electronic keyers often use iambic paddles/buttons where you use one switch to create a series of "dits" and the other switch to create "dahs" yourself, which is less physically demanding and lets you hit higher WPM. There are examples of both types here.
A CW Key is apparently a switch used for transmitting Morse code. Make sure to click through to the individual pages to see them in use, e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghx3r_OFmt4
The first URL, Begali are the Ferrari of CW keys, with prices to match.
Incredible workmanship and still a family-owned and run business. Worth every cent.
masklinn · 52m ago
Got to say it’s interesting to read this comment and check the site and prices are 150~600 (the upper end being an anniversary edition aluminium and stainless beast).
Obviously really expensive for what is at the core a spring and an electric contact or two (depending on type) — which can be just one part at the expense of longevity, but as hobby pieces it seems quite reasonable, I’ve seen way worse spends from friends who fell in love with mechanical keyboards.
motorest · 53m ago
Here we are railing against $500 mechanical keyboards, and some dude whips out $500 CW keys. The ultimate one-up.
notatoad · 2h ago
What?
8organicbits · 2h ago
These are keys (buttons) for tapping out morse code. Creative, but probably not practical.
Just in case someone didn’t catch the reference: https://xkcd.com/1053/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_CW_Operators%27_Club
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telegraph_key
https://www.i2rtf.com/keys---paddles.html
https://www.n3znkeys.com/
https://www.vibroplex.com/
https://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_...
Incredible workmanship and still a family-owned and run business. Worth every cent.
Obviously really expensive for what is at the core a spring and an electric contact or two (depending on type) — which can be just one part at the expense of longevity, but as hobby pieces it seems quite reasonable, I’ve seen way worse spends from friends who fell in love with mechanical keyboards.