Hallicrafters HA-1 1960 Electronic CW Keyer

We look at a using a Hallicrafters HA-1 all Tube Electronic Keyer and demonstrate differences from modern keyers along with a demonstration for setting the keying weight

I made a few CW QSOs using this keyer after posting the video. Amazingly, I actually worked another station who was using a vintage Hallicrafters electronic keyer. I don't usually talk about the keyer I'm using in a QSO... maybe more stations use vintage keyers than I'd have thought.

[fineartz]

W9TO was the designer before Hallicrafters adaptation. I remember it well: first licensed as Sophomore in high school, 1964.
// I recommend using an iambic paddle to send clean spacing up to 30wpm. Fun.

[gsansoucie]

Nice, I’ve always added the /5 after the “wire” in bens best bent wire.

[Skyler_Hagen]

The memory/lost dit/dah issue is not a matter of analog vs. digital. Though this is a tube circuit, it's still a digital circuit - having vacuum tubes does not imply something is analog, just like having transistors or IC's doesn't imply something is digital. They key is what you mentioned about memory. Memory and the modern functionality could have readily been incorporated with tubes at that time - the technology was available, just as easily as with solid state modern components, but it would have resulted in a much more expensive and complex piece of gear. It would've required more tubes for the memory and addressing functions, and probably more expensive than most hams could've afforded at the time.

[boxingday]

Thanks. That's very interesting, best regards, carl.

[edwatts]

By the way, an "N" is "a 'DAH' and a 'DIT'", not "a 'DIT' and a 'DAH'"!

[edwatts]

"Hallicrafter"? "12AUX7"? "'OH'-Ay..."?
Really?
"- - -" does NOT equal "- - - - -"! I like the keyer (I own four, two in use, one for parts, and one "just because!"!), but, really, now...

...I am reminded of early -- very early, pre-Rosetta-Stone -- archaeologists attempting to decipher ancient texts. Or the gull in "The Little Mermaid"!

Really, brother, you could/can do better.

For the record, I stopped the video at 01:02.