No, I'm not referring to a fellow ham. I'm referring to my “new” 1938 McElroy Mac Key Standard semi-automatic bug that showed up on my front porch.
To the collector community, it's a 1938B Mac Key, the “B” designation given because of a mid-year change in how the dot and dash levers were hinged. Up until mid-1938, Mac Keys used two hinge points for the dot and dash pivots. With the 1938B model, McElroy changed the design to mimic the Vibroplex keying lever, which uses bent lugs that attach the “dash” lever to the main keying lever. Simple but effective.
My new key is listed on Tom French's McElroy key serial number list, so its' passed thru eBay at least once.
I have another 1938B key, but it is the DeLuxe verison, which was equipped with a dot stabilizer bar, circuit closer and the fancy “marbleite” paint. This Standard version has had a circuit closer added to it. It's a slightly different design from that found on the DeLuxe key, but for a homebrew setup it is very professionally done. The only real giveaway that it isn't factory is the fact that the switch lever isn't chrome plated.
The seller noted that he kept the key in a glass case, and I don't doubt it. The key is probably as clean as any I own, and it plays exceptionally well. I've not needed to clean the contacts, just adjust the key a bit. The seller had (wisely) adjusted the left and right stops all the way in to “trap” the keying lever and prevent it from bouncing around during transit.
The seller did something that's unconventional on eBay … he shipped the key to me before he had payment in hand. He said he felt confident that I would complete the sale after viewing my feedback. Well, he was right, but I was a little surprised at his level of trust.
A practice that was common on the old 3898 Trader's Net was the practice of the seller shipping a radio the same day the buyer would send the check, money order, etc. There's still some of that done, but mostly among guys who've bought and sold with one another for years.
LAW & ORDER. After some discussions at the Cave City Hamfest, I decided to create a set of credentials to keep in the cars that might help answer questions if my 2M mobile very becomes an issue.
Ham operators are exempt from the provisions of the state scanner law that prohibits the use of police scanners in a moving vehicle. The problem was making sure I had information with me all the time. I've made copies of all the stuff but it's been lost or destroyed.
I printed two copies of my ham ticket and had a local print shop laminate the wallet version of the ticket. I also printed out the KRS scanner law section and had that laminated too. It may not help if an officer is serious about confiscating my rig and charging me with a related charge, but at least I have the information on hand should it be needed. The lamination makes it harder to fold, but very duralble.
73 es CUL … de KY4Z SK …. dit dit …..