Saturday, April 21, 2012 — Yeah, I’ll be the first to admit it — I am a sucker for all things a little off-kilter, even goofy, when it comes to Morse code keys.
With that disclaimer, let me introduce my latest purchase … its not a Vibroflex anything, a Mac-Whatever or a Speed-Z key. It’s an homebrew key that I snagged in an impulsive “Buy It Now” frenzy Friday night. And yes, its crafted from what appears to be a real brass key.
So how would you describe it … eclectic? Goofy? Sentimental? Semi-mental? Ugly-as-sin? Or just plain “fugly?” Regardless of the description, something inside my mouse finger was driven — no, required — to click the “Buy It Now, Dammit!” button.
The seller actually had two of these kinds of keys listed, this being the more attractive of the two (“attractive” being a relative term in this instance, of course!). The other key was shorter. Initially I thought perhaps the seller made these keys, but after looking at their listings it is obvious he/she buys items at estate auctions and sells them on eBay. The other electronics this seller has are old transformers, variable condensers and parts from the shack of an old timer.
The Buy It Now was $16.95 — certainly cheap enough for me to rationalize the purchase of a conversation piece. K6VDH used to make a Morse straight keys that used a handcuff key. They were attractive keys for what they were, very well executed.
ON THE PROWL. There are some really great keys for sale on eBay this week, though I unlike Pokemon, I can’t “catch them all!” Just not enough money at the end of the month. Besides, the Big Guns will be watching these keys because they are the more collectible ones.
One of my favorite rare keys is the British Eddystone bug. I was extremely fortunate to snipe the one I have because it did not bring the high price they usually bring due to a photography error. One of the key’s main photos had a shadow that made the key appear as if the aluminium “shell” that covers the key had a sizable dent. In fact, I sniped the key believing it had the dent. Knowing how collectible these keys are, I was just tickled to have one — even a dented one. The one listed on eBay now has two full days left and is already nearing the $150 mark. Had my Eddystone not appeared dented, I doubt I would have been able to afford it!
I don’t need many excuses to buy another code key, but I need to consider buying some keys simply for their parts. I have several keys in need of parts in order to make them complete. Of course, nearly every “parts key” I’ve purchased I’ve decided to “save” from being dismantled, so even that can be a problem. My son asked me if I was a hoarder … I replied, “No son, at least not until I finish filling my shack with keys, and I still have five feet of space above all of my desks to get to that point.”
FOR A FINAL. I am expecting a non-Morse eBay item in the mail today or next week — I finally decided to purse a Drake TR-7 transceiver. This one was nabbed worth the money and comes with the Drake PS-7 (not a big deal to me, I’ll probably sell it). I’ve wanted one forever, and got it worth the price. Of course, that was before I realized we needed to pay state taxes worth about half what I paid for the Drake. Ugh! I don’t expect to replace my FT-2000 with the Drake, but I do want to give the rig a try. First I have to make room for it in the shack. Wish me luck, lol! 73.
-30-