Since I’ve been fairly successful working CW mode (Morse code) with the Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) and enjoying it, I wanted a better hand key. Many nice ones are quite expensive and hard to find but VIZ Key makes some very popular high-quality keys, including the Camel-Back, which appears to be highly rated.
Since they are not currently in production under the Covid pandemic, I would have to wait for one, or look for a used one. Not many out there people are willing to part with but I did find a two year-old listing on eHAM classifieds. On a whim, I contacted the seller to see if it was still available. He had since moved and it was still packed up but he dug it out and sent a fresh picture to me and we agreed on $115 plus shipping ($25 less than new).
In excellent, lightly used condition so I jumped on it and received on Feb 11. Serial No 218N. A beautiful, solid brass unit; very heavy so it doesn’t slide around the desk. Made several SKCC WES contacts with it over the weekend and am very happy. My new favorite.
AF5NP 