The HISTORY OF SCHURR KEYS:

The Story of the SCHURR key

My career as amateur radio operator started when I became interested in the operating method of CW. At the same time my interest grew in Morse keys. Our instructor at a seminar did not have a simple tap key but a well known key made in the US. Naturally I was keen to own the same beautiful instrument but the cost was beyond my budget although I had already visualized myself as the proud owner of such a key. Being a trained mechanic I decided to build one myself. On closer inspection I did not like certain aspects of the model key. Now I know why my instructor was always turning the screws on it. I proceeded to design and build a key according to my own ideas. The result was something completely new:

The first SCHURR Wabbler:

Up to that time I had been a little known OM with the call sign DC8HM. I have never been correctly taught the CW system. There had not been much time to study. I had to build keys for all my radio operator friends. After that I exhibited my design at the fair in Weinheim. I think this was in 1984. 10 units were ready for sale. A leaflet was required but I had no idea how to design or produce such a leaflet. I soon found a solution. By fastening some transparent paper over the TV screen and using a video camera to project a picture of my key on the paper I traced the contours with a pencil. The lines were later drawn properly with a ruler and marking pen. Within a short time I sold all 10 units in Weinheim and received my first forward orders. As a result, I registered a business, Mechanical Precision Parts for Amateur Radio Operators, to be run outside normal business hours. That was the end of my leisure time. The first Wabblers were all hand made. Naturally, at that time I did not have the equipment and machines I now own. The base of the first Wabblers was made from steel with black varnish. Only the mechanical parts were made from brass.

Varnishing caused many problems as the glossy finish did not look very nice. The black had to be matt and not leave a trace when run over with the finger nail. I was unable to buy the necessary lacquer although I had a method to spray the keys as they were. Later I made the lot from brass which was then sprayed with Zapon varnish - simple and clean. That was the WABBLER - STANDARD. Unfortunately, the light weight made it unsuitable for OM's with big hands. By accident I found a piece of brass MS 58 20 x 80 at my local brass dealer. That was the new base and with a weight of 1.5 kg the new wabbler was as solid as a rock. Combined with the trouble free mechanics of the Standard version the new PROFI model was born.

A good product can always be made better. A PROFI model made 10 years ago is difficult to differentiate by appearance from a model made in 2006. However, the difference is very noticeable when transmitting Morse code. Using the same principle, I designed a Portable Wabbler and an installation key. At the same time, I made the hand keys look more attractive. At the age of 60 years I handed in my resignation to my employer of 30 years and concentrated on making keys. These days I am enjoying life as a pensioner. Whenever I feel the urge, I make Schlagger keys, also known as BUG

My successor, Uli Scheunemann, manufactures PROFI-2 and Portable Wabbler. He is doing his utmost to take over the total range and produce it in typical SCHURR quality.

PROFI are also copied. I do not know how good the copies are but you can test our keys during the HAM RADIO exhibition. My successor Uli will be at this years Hamradio, stand A1-300. From time to time I will also man the stand and would be pleased to answer your questions.

Gerhard Schurr DH2SAA

VIDEO of Gerhard Schurr
Describing his Manufacturing Processes in 2005: