Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020
I spend a lot of time cruising through eBay listings, and from time to time I run across some interesting things.
GHD keys via Vibroplex
I have to admit that I am VERY fond of the GHD line of iambic keys that Vibroplex is now carrying. These keys demand some higher prices, but man, are they nice looking! I would be happy with the GN807F key, which Vibroplex calls an “entry-level” key with a smaller base. It also lacks terminals on top of the base. But at $199.95, its the most affordable iambic.
HI-MOUND w/o a paddle?
I’ve always been a fan of Hi-Mound keys from Japan, and the long-running “coffin” bug. This particularly example on eBay is notable for two things — the first is the Buy It Now of $199.95 (a premium price for certain!), and the second is that the key lacks a paddle or way to actually use the key!
I have a Hi-Mound coffin bug in the shack that I bought with a broken paddle — well, not just broken but shattered in a zillion pieces, some of them missing. I’ve been successful in gluing these delicate and fragile paddles in the past, but that only works if you have all the pieces.
I’ve always been on the look-out for a parts key that would allow me to repair my key, but no such luck. I’ve even considered taking the paddle out of a working, intact key and making a mold so I can fabricate my own paddle.
The Hi-Mound paddle’s action is built into the way it pivots. As fragile as they are, one could probably sell a sizable number of replacement paddles if they could be replicated — especially if they could be built from a more durable material.
Key On Board — with lights?
I ran across this unique Key On Board setup earlier today, and I’ll have to admit that its the first of its kind I remember seeing.
The addition of lights and wiring for them make this a very unique KOB. I like it!
The sockets have their own switches, with is neat. It would have been even neater had they straight key been a part of the switching system, but you can’t have everything. The Buy It Now price — $200 — is pretty steep. But what price do you put on uniqueness??
73 es CUL … de KY4Z … SK … SK … (dit dit)