by Thomas (K4SWL)

I’m fortunate that, most of the time, when I do Summits On The Air, Parks On The Air, or even Field Day operations, I can choose conditions that are favorable. Sunny days, decent weather, or—if the forecast looks dodgy—a picnic shelter under which to operate.

But sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. While I was in the UK this summer, there were two occasions when I operated in the field: one in proper rain, and one with light rain. In the past, I’ve even done a full activation in the rain using my TX-500 and my Bamatech TP-III paddle. [Click here to read about that particular activation.]

With all of my kit, I try to design around the assumption that I could end up in wet conditions. To that end:

• Backpack: Check! All of mine are designed to handle the rain.
• Logging: Check! I use Rite in the Rain products (pen and pad).
• Antennas: Check! Most field antennas have no issue being in the rain.

The radio itself, if nothing else, can be stashed in my backpack or under a cover while I’m operating, so that’s usually not much of a problem. With the TX-500, of course, it’s water-resistant, so I was able to keep it out in the open.

But the one component I’ve always struggled to use as easily in the field is the Morse key. Many keys—especially paddles—have either exposed contacts or contacts hidden under a cover but positioned so close to the end of the cover that they’re nearly exposed all the same.

That day in the rain with my TX-500, I thought the Bamatech TP-III would be a good choice. However, water was able to seep underneath that little cover, and once it gets between tightly spaced contacts, it can mess up keying. I ended up holding the key at an angle just to keep the water from intruding.

One key in my key arsenal that I’ve found to be fairly well protected and quite affordable: the CW Morse Pocket Paddle, which I’ve used for about six years now. Its contacts are slightly better protected than the TP-III. Still not ideal, though.

The reason why so many paddles have the contacts close to the finger pieces is that it’s good mechanical design for a key. There are designs that move the contacts toward the back of the arms, but I can’t think of any that combine that approach with a protective cover in a key that’s genuinely sized and weighted for field use.

So I’m looking at you, especially my friends in the Pacific Northwest and the United Kingdom: which keys do you use that work better in the rain?

Please comment!