| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Key |
- Simple and durable - Traditional CW method - Minimal mechanical failure |
- Difficult to send high-speed Morse code - High wrist fatigue - Requires high skill level |
- Press vertically to create dots and dashes - Manually control dots and dashes while transmitting - Commonly used by beginners and traditionalists |
| Bug Key |
- Efficient and fast dot generation - Semi-automatic mechanism allows high-speed transmission - Skilled users can transmit very precise CW |
- Dashes must be generated manually - Complex structure, harder maintenance - Can be difficult to operate |
- Push the lever left to generate dots - Push the lever right to generate dashes - Semi-automatically generate continuous dots while transmitting |
| Iambic Paddle Key |
- Fast and efficient transmission using both hands - Automatically adjusts dot and dash length and spacing - Iambic mode allows alternating transmission |
- Requires a complex circuit - Can be difficult for beginners - Relatively expensive |
- Use both hands to press paddles to generate dots and dashes - Activate iambic mode by pressing both paddles simultaneously - Suitable for high-speed transmission |