Friday, March 9, 2012 — I haven’t updated this thing in a while, so it is high time I make some notes about my latest acquisitions.
EARLY SPEED-X ‘REVERSE T’ BUG. I have a couple of examples of this very early Les Logan Speed-X key. It is one of the more distinctive 1930s keys due to its unique pivot frame, often referred to as a “reverse T.” I have long wondered why the designer chose such an unusual shape for the pivot frame. Was it to make it distinctive? Or was it to avoid infringing on various Vibroplex patents?
The key you see here is lacking the original paddles and the weights. But other than what its missing, it is fan-damn-tastic condition! The chrome is share and clear, with few dings and scratches. One of the “Reverse T” Speed-X keys I own has a base that is rusty as all get-out (translation for non-Kentuckians: “An over-abundance of unwanted iron oxide formed when steel or iron oxidizes.”). When I saw this key on eBay — and the low, low Buy It Now price — I knew I had to have it. IT was just too cheap, you know? I have that rusted key just like it, and the base is in bad shape with peeling chrome and rust. I can take the parts I need from that rust bucket if I wish (my plan was to sand the chrome base, remove the rusty chrome, and paint it back to the original black wrinkle finish).
I’m very pleased with the price and condition of this key. It’s going to be the best looking example of this type of early Speed-X in my collection.
AC7AZ IAMBIC PADDLE. I picked up this key simply because I was in the right place at the right time. The key was engineered and built by Mark Johnson, AC7AZ. There were only 18 of these keys made. He also made 14 smaller paddles, intended I presumably for mobile/QRP work.
The paddle uses magnetic return, and it kinda follows the W8FYO style with the right-angle arms for the dit and day contacts. The key was adjusted pretty loose, and I had read a warning in a eHam.net review regarding the lack of fine thread adjustments. I understand why the reviewer preferred finer threads, but Mark didn’t use them. Despite the negative comment, I found the adjustments no more real difficult than any others.
One unique aspect of this key are the aluminum paddles. Won’t find that on any other feature I’ve run into.
Overall, the key operates as nicely as it looks. The chrome finish is flawless! It’s a very good key for my under 20 wpm speeds. You speed demons may prefer a keyboard. I bought this thing to use, but as an investment. Mark discontinued making the keys after a very short while. The key is exceedingly rare. It’s an attractive key and built with quality components.
HOMEBREW BUG. This key looks a little worse for wear. It’s a homemade bug and I’m really curious to see how well it works. It looks mostly complete, just rusty and well-used. I expect to refinish the base of this key and mark it as a “keeper.”
I really like homebrew bugs and enjoy the ones I own. They often sell surprisingly cheap on eBay. I just enjoy examining how some guys solve the same problems when faced with the same issues. Some of the homebrew bugs are pretty rough, while others are in very nice shape. I’ll let you know if the fire crews determine if the radiation levels have changed or spread.
More to come on my three new beauties!
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