MFJ 553 Telegraph Straight Wood Base Review

There are 2 screws that attach the key to the base. They extend under the legs so they can scratch the wood surface and cause the key not to sit flat. I'm a little disappointed in the key. MFJ runs the risk of damaging its brand with such silly mistakes.

I like the key on a wooden base. Doesn't hang like an unmounted key. Works great and is adjustable. This is my second purchase of one of these. The first suffered some damage beyond my meager repair skills after being stuffed into a small backpack with a radio and a battery. Do not do that.

I have bought many units from MFJ over the years but this dongle was disappointing. It looks "cheap", difficult to set up and overpriced for what you get. I think the reason is that it didn't have stock - and I knew that when I ordered it. I ended up buying a used telegraph key with bearings off E-Bay and made a baseplate for it. I bought the MFJ Key cable. Sorry MFJ, you need to improve on this point.

I like the key that is mounted on a wooden base. Doesn't hang like an unmounted key. Works great and is adjustable. This is my second purchase of one of these. The first suffered some damage beyond my meager repair skills after being stuffed into a small backpack with a radio and a battery. Do not do that.

Definitely a key made of plastic and inferior materials. I only got one today, maybe a second one tomorrow. They're good for guys just starting out etc etc. But I would say they definitely aren't worth $51.58 a piece! ! !

This key is good value for money. It works well, although there are no fancy bearings, machined parts, or a metal base. There is one downside; Telegraph key bases rarely have 4 legs on the bottom. Anything with 4 feet will rock unless everything is perfect. This key swings on the table. All my other keys are 2 feet in front and 1 foot in back. I'm looking for a spare stick on my feet so I can pull off and replace the existing ones.

I have bought many sets from MFJ over the years but this key was disappointing. It looks "cheap", difficult to set up and overpriced for what you get. I think the reason is that it didn't have stock - and I knew that when I ordered it. I ended up buying a used telegraph key with bearings off E-Bay and made a baseplate for it. I bought the MFJ Key cable. Sorry MFJ, you need to improve on this point.