Clothespin keyer gives Boy Scouts a taste of ham radio

A week ago, Mike, WH6YH, ordered one of my One-Day Tech Class DVDs. He wrote:

Gave an overview of CW to Boy Scout Troop 88, Savannah, GA last week and spoke to this great hobby. I will donate this to help water that planted seed. 73, Mike WH6YH

Yesterday, he heard me calling CQ on 30m and answered my call. He filled me in a little more about the presentation he gave and described the “clothespin keys” that he made for the kids. I asked him to send me a picture (shown below).

In his email, he described the key and his experience with the kids in more detail:

Hi Dan,

I passed these out to Boy Scout Troop 88 in Savannah, GA as gift during the Intro to Morse Code a couple weeks ago. Total costs about $5 for 10 straight keys as I purchased the magnetic resonator and coin cell holder on eBay china, both 3v. One can even purchase the CR2032 battery there as well, but plan ahead as it takes a couple weeks to arrive. Cannot go wrong with the cost of goods on eBay these days!

 I used clothes pins, some old thumb tacks, and a little hook up wire, and soldered everything in place for sturdy, kid-friendly use! The flat wood on the bottom is part of a free paint stirring stick from HD or Lowes. I cut it to length and super glued the clothes pin to it to prevent the key from moving while sending. 

The kids and parents were amazed to see something made with inexpensive parts. The parents wanted to pay me for the keys, but these were so cheap, I just let them have them. I consider this public license and free for others to use in their presentations.

These are so cool I might make up a few myself and pass them out at the MakerFaires and other events where I do CW presentations.