N6SL's keys.

Ben - N6SL, source QCWA, photo by Dave Johnson - AD5MH, click to enlarge picture. Ben, N6SL, Silent Key. Ben's homebrew steak knife sideswiper, made in summer of 1948, click to enlarge picture.

It is with great sadness that we announce that:
Our good friend Benjamin J. (Ben) Russell, N6SL, has become a Silent Key.
Benjamin J. (Ben) Russell, N6SL, passed away last Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in Ocala, FL.
He was 88 years of age and would have been 89 in July of this year. Ben was married for more than 60 years.
He started his Ham career in 1946 and as a maritime CW operator aboard ships, as well as WNU in Slidell, LA.
Ben was a pillar for CW nets and for CW. He has been running the US sessions of the SSN for more than 15 years on a regular basis.
Ben will be greatly missed.
Our deepest sympathy to Benjamin J. (Ben) Russell's family and friends.

Silver Springs Radio Club article.

QCWA article.

 

 

Homebrew Steak Knife cootie key.

N6SL's Steak Knife cootie key, click to enlarge picture. This is a picture of my crude home made sideswiper. It was made in summer of 1948 aboard a ship in the engine room shop from available materials. The steak knife spacing from the fixed post to contacts is critical to avoid contact bounce. The contacts are from an old polar relay. Key was built in about 2 hours and has served well up to the present. [N6SL].

Top of page.

TWanger Sideswiper S/N 007 by TW Radio.

N6SL's TWanger S/N 007, left view, click to enlarge picture. N6SL's TWanger S/N 007, front view, click to enlarge picture.

I was surprised to see how well the magnets centered the blade and adjusted tension. This is the first time I have used a key with magnets instead of springs.
This is the first new key I have used in over 60 years and I highly recommend the TWanger. [N6SL].

Top of page.