Houston Taylor (W0LPR) Morse Keys

Houston Taylor

Handmade American Morse keys made by  Houston Taylor (W0LPR) in Springfield, Missouri, a talented craftsman who made only a limited number.

Houston Taylor is a retired, Professor, Head of the Department of Industrial Education at Southwest Missouri State University. He is a real craftsman and demands near-perfection in the items he makes.

These are absolutely fantastic, custom made keys which are practically works of art.

This is key number 27 and was made in 1995. It is numbered on the front of the base as 9527. It measures 4" x 3" and weighs slightly over 2 pounds with a non-skid rubber base.

This is a spring version of the key.

This is key number 50 and was made in 1997. It is numbered on the front of the base as 9527. It measures 3" x 3" and weighs around 2 pounds with a non-skid rubber base.

There have been less than 100 of these made in over 25 years.

Specs: Base (Cold-Rolled Steel 3" sq. X 1/2" thick), Top (1/4" Plastic in Grey), Rails & Frame (6061-T6 Aluminium), Weight (28oz). All adjustment screws and lock nuts are brass screw stock and are individually made. There are 60 parts, 44 of which are handmade for the individual key!

This is a magnetic version of the key.

Houston Taylor's QSL card.

Extract of the QSL note from Houston to Lee.

The above information was pieced together from various sources. It is correct to the best of my knowledge. Apologies if I have any of the information incorrect.

Many thanks to Lee (W9OY) for providing me with a lot of the background. I spotted his review on eham.net ( http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4355 ).

I sent Lee an e-mail and he was very helpful with information about the key.

If you have any further information I would like to hear from you.

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