Code key collectors had some prime keys to chase the last few days on eBay. I was tempted to chase some Vibroplex models, but how many Original DeLuxes keys does one guy need? If I could buy them cheap enough to resell them after refurbishment I might do that. With prices still running on the high end of the spectrum, I'm not ready to pay top prices for a key that needs work.
But boy howdy, there were some nice keys sold — nearly all of them chased by collectors with deeper pockets than mine.
McElroy CP-500, $455. This isn't exactly a sleek looking bug, but its unusual. Clunky comes to mind, but so does “rare.” This key was being sold by a key collector with a Mexican call, and he's listed some very, very rare and desireable keys in the past, and this week was no exception. The CP-500 wasn't produced for long. The pivot frame is a rather big, thickly cast metal piece that resembled the Vibroplex Original. The painted, non-chromed version seems to be most common. I didn't bother to bid on this one.
1936 McElroy Mac Key Standard, High bid $141, reserve not met. This key is a dead ringer for my 1936 Mac Key. I suspect the reserve was $150 or so, and I think the auctions for these keys all ending the same time probably hurt this auction — the collectors were watching the rarer keys this seller had listed. It's listed again, and its a nice key.
1937 McElroy Mac Key Standard, $405. This key is neat because it basically is the civilian version of the key that McElroy sold under contract to the Navy. The damper is a large, cast, c-shaped affair that I believe was cast in the base. On the side of the key is cast “PROPERTY OF,” which was completed with the word “NAVY” on the contract keys. McElroy took the leftover keys and ground off the “NAVY” part and sold them as civilian keys. Some hams scratched their calls or names in the side. These “contract built” keys don't show up on eBay often. Needless to say, I don't own one.
Eddystone Bug, $280. Fewer than 500 of these unique keys were produced in the U.K. With so few built, it's amazing how many of them I've seen show up on eBay for sale. Perhaps the Brits are realizing how well these keys sell across the pond? The cover makes this key unusual, underneath it looks fairly unremarkable. I've never heard any comments on how these keys operate.
One of the top selling keys was an early 1935 McElroy Mac Key, which sold for $688. This key was in great original shape, and sold by a non-ham who confessed knowing nothing about code keys. I'm guessing what made the bidding so hot and heavy was this key's sequence — it was a very early 1935 key, very early in run of the keys, as McElroy only started production sometime in 1934. I wish I had a dozen keys just like this one — I would sell all but one and then buy a new Yaesu FT-2000 with the proceeds.
Speed-X Refurb Project. A couple of nights ago I disassembled the Speed-X Model 500 T-bar bug that I just put back on the air thanks to the derelict bug I found on eBay. I have sanded the base and have three coats of primer on it. I'll probably spray a couple of more before I block sand the base and see where it stands. The primer should fill minor imperfections, though I'm not sure how visible they'll be anyway with a crinkle paint. Better safe than sorry. If i can get the base painted by next week, perhaps I'll start work on another Model 500 I have that has the painted pivot frame.
Speaking of Speed-X T-bar bugs, I was watching an eBay listing for one of these bugs this week, particularly since the bidding was stalled at about the $40 level. I was prepared to snipe this dude as it needed nothing more than cleaning — but I quickly found I wasn't the only one watching this key.
In the last 30 seconds, a flurry of bidding boosted the price from $40 to $152.50. Yikes! I had no idea the key would go that high, though it wasn't too much of a surprise given its condition. They key needed cleaning, but it was complete and the paint and chrome looked very good.
I'll be going to the Cave City Hamfest this weekend, and while I don't have much of a want list, I'll be looking for keys and parts and what-not. As high as the price of copper wire is getting, I would love to come home with a large spool of stranded copper wire.
That's all for this installment … 73 es CUL … de KY4Z …. GN …. dit dit ….