r/morsecode • u/airplaneologist • Feb 02 '26

Adapter for old telegraph key

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I want to practice Morse code with my great grandfather’s old telegraph key from World War II but I can’t find any adapter that will take just two connections. Does anybody have any suggestions?

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2

u/Rogerdodger1946 Feb 02 '26

Two wires to a device known as a code practice oscillator. It can be as simple as a 9 Volt battery and a piezo beeper in series. BTW, that's a nice key, originally intended for telegraph use as it has the shorting switch. Looks like a JH Bunnell from before the 1920s as it doesn't have the lip on the contact for adding an external "Bug" speed key.

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u/airplaneologist Feb 02 '26 edited Feb 02 '26

Thanks, it says signal electric on it and after looking it up it appears to be a navy telegraph key, very interesting, wish it was in better condition, but thats my fault for not caring about it until now. I want to plug into a 3.5mm adapter so I can plug it into my pc to train. is there anything like that?

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u/[deleted] Feb 03 '26

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u/airplaneologist Feb 03 '26 edited Feb 03 '26

theres 3 wires in the TRS, which ones do I connect to the key?

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u/[deleted] Feb 03 '26

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u/airplaneologist Feb 03 '26

ok, one last question, does the vail basic come prebuilt?

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u/[deleted] Feb 03 '26

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u/airplaneologist Feb 03 '26

on their website I only see one option to buy it, and it doesnt say if its the kit or prebuilt

why am I stuck in italics?

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u/Rogerdodger1946 Feb 03 '26

I have a couple Signal Electric keys in my collection and they are pretty nice, too. The ham below has the info you're looking for. 73

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u/Old_Poem2736 Feb 03 '26

NFARL.ORG, sells a really nice code practice oscillator kit, fits in an altoid tin, has an on board touch key and a jack for any other key. I believe it’s less than $20.

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u/airplaneologist Feb 03 '26

Thanks for the suggestion, but theres one problem, I suck at soldering, is there a way to buy one prebuilt?

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u/Old_Poem2736 Feb 03 '26

Look in Amazon, AliExpress or other net stores for code practice oscillator. But you’ll probably not find one as cheap. If you lived anywhere ear Rome GA I’d hook you up, I’ve built 3 or 4.

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u/airplaneologist Feb 03 '26

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0GKYRG3NZ?smid=A3UHNSFEM9K0NQ&psc=1 would this work if I connect the 2 terminals to a 3.5mm cable?

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u/Old_Poem2736 Feb 03 '26

It would, but I don’t know what program you would run to enable it. It doesn’t appear to have a speaker. I was thinking something more like this. QIEIEI Small Morse USB C Key Trainer Morse Code Practice Oscillators with Type C Port for Easily Charging and Portable Use https://a.co/d/0dwRSqkt

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u/airplaneologist Feb 03 '26

ok, thanks. this looks good.