I'll be upfront: I have tried to learn CW before, and I failed miserably. Badly enough that I almost gave up on it entirely. So when I say I'm trying again, understand that something had to change my mind.
That something was Michael and Becky from Ham Radio Duo. I met them at the Huntsville Hamfest, and the enthusiasm they have for teaching people CW is genuine. You can't fake that. I walked over to talk to Becky, and before I had time to think about it, she had me sitting down at a key knocking out my call sign. I'll admit it was exciting.
What really stuck with me was how they explained it. Their approach is simple: don't think about the dots and dashes, just hear it. Treat it more like music than a code you're decoding in your head. That idea resonated with me in a way my first attempt never did, and for the first time I walked away thinking I could actually do this.
Of course, to practice I needed a key. I reached out to them, and they sent me a Duo Straight Key One. This article covers what's in the package, how the key is built and adjusted, and my first try at sending my call sign at home.
A Key With a Purpose Behind It
Before getting into the hardware, there's one part of this I want to call out. Ham Radio Duo says every Straight Key One sold helps them build additional keys to donate to new operators and young hams getting into CW. That's a direct way of getting more people into this hobby, and it's consistent with everything I saw from them at Huntsville. They're constantly putting something back into the community.
These keys are also made by Michael and Becky themselves. My package included a nice printed card from the two of them, which is a small touch, but it makes the whole thing feel personal.
What's in the Package
- The Duo Straight Key One. The store offers it in a Classic Flat-Top style and a Navy Knob style, depending on how you like to grip the key.
- A case that doubles as a stand. The key travels in its own case, and the case flips over to become a base for the key. Handy for portable operating, and one less thing to pack.
- A cable. And a good one, not some cheap junk off eBay. It plugs into the back of the key and runs to your radio.
- A printed card and a sticker. The sticker went straight onto my laptop, front and center.
There was also a quality control stamp on mine, and it looks like Becky personally tested this one. Per the current store listing, the case and audio cable are included as a limited-time offer, so check the product page for what ships with the key when you order.
Build Quality and Adjustments
This is a 3D-printed key, and I know some people will hear that and assume it's flimsy. It isn't. The print quality is excellent and the key uses brass hardware throughout, so it should be strong and hold up to a lot of use. If you look closely, you can also see that somebody has good soldering skills.
The Contact
The contact itself is a brass plate. That's what closes the circuit when you press the lever, and it's the part doing the real work every time you send a character.
Travel (Stroke)
Using the adjustment tool included in the kit, you can set how far the lever travels before it makes contact. Loosen it and the stroke gets longer. Tighten it and the stroke gets shorter. Honestly, mine came set up very well out of the box, and I probably shouldn't have touched it. If yours feels right, leave it alone.
Tension
A separate knob adds resistance to the lever. The store listing describes it as magnetic tension. You don't need much. A small turn was all it took for it to feel right to me.
It's 3D printed, but don't let that fool you. With brass hardware and careful assembly, this key feels like something built to be used, not just looked at.
Hooking It Up to the Radio
My original plan was a little more romantic. I also picked up a vintage Hallicrafters key, because you know I love old radios, and I wanted to try that too. But it needs an adapter I don't have yet, and I'm honestly not sure it even works. Like most of the old equipment I brought home from the show, it's going to need some tinkering.
So I grabbed the Xiegu G90 instead. The cable connects to the back of the Straight Key One and then to the radio. The G90's KEY jack is a 3.5mm stereo jack on the rear panel. I connected the radio to a dummy load and set the power to minimum. That way I can practice as much as I want without putting a signal on the air or bothering anybody while I'm still learning.
Can I Still Send My Call Sign?
Then came the moment of truth. I sat down and tried to send my call sign, the same thing Becky had me do at Huntsville. I hope I got it right, but I'm not going to grade my own homework. If you know Morse, watch the end of the video and let me know in the comments whether I sent it correctly.
The takeaway for me isn't whether that first attempt was perfect. It's that this time I'm approaching CW by listening instead of memorizing, and I have a key on the desk that I actually want to use.
Duo Straight Key One Key Specs
Design
A minimalist straight key with a long-arm design inspired by the classic J-38, made by Ham Radio Duo.
Construction
3D-printed body with brass hardware and a brass contact plate. Keys are finished in black, matte or glossy depending on availability.
Adjustments
Adjustable contact spacing (travel) and adjustable tension, which the store describes as magnetic.
Styles
Classic Flat-Top for traditional finger placement, or Navy Knob for a knob-style grip.
Included
A protective case that stores the cable and flips over to serve as a base, plus an audio cable that plugs into the back of the key (listed as a limited-time offer).
Tested With
Xiegu G90, which has a 3.5mm stereo KEY jack on the rear panel, running into a dummy load at minimum power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Duo Straight Key One?
It's a minimalist straight key for sending CW, made by Michael and Becky of Ham Radio Duo. It's 3D printed with brass hardware, takes its long-arm design cues from the J-38, and has adjustable spacing and tension. It's sold through the Ham Radio Duo store.
What comes with it?
Per the store listing, a protective case and an audio cable are included as a limited-time offer. The case stores the cable and flips over to act as a base. Mine also came with a printed card, a sticker, and a quality control stamp.
How do you adjust it?
One adjustment sets the travel: loosen it for a longer stroke, tighten it for a shorter one. A separate knob adds tension to the lever. Mine was set up well from the start, so make small changes.
Does it work with the Xiegu G90?
Yes. I connected it to my G90 with the included cable, which plugs into the back of the key. The G90 has a 3.5mm stereo KEY jack on the rear panel. For practice I ran into a dummy load at minimum power.
Does buying one help new operators?
According to Ham Radio Duo, every Straight Key One sold helps them build more keys to donate to new operators and young hams getting into CW.
What's the best way to learn CW?
What finally clicked for me came from Ham Radio Duo: don't think about the dots and dashes, just hear it. Learning each character as a sound, almost like music, is what got me to try again after failing the first time.
Conclusion: Round Two Starts Here
I didn't expect to be writing about CW again. My first attempt ended badly enough that I'd mostly written it off. But a few minutes at a key with Becky at Huntsville, and a different way of thinking about it, changed that.
The Duo Straight Key One is a well-made key with a clever case, sensible adjustments, and a good cable in the box. The fact that buying one helps put keys in the hands of new and young operators makes it easy to recommend. Michael and Becky, thank you. This is something I'll cherish for a long time.
The goal now is simple: the next time I see Michael and Becky, I want to already know Morse code. I'll keep you posted on how the practice goes.