KK4DW3

	Page 3 Index
Fig 1	New Zealand Supreme key
Fig 2	Old Signal Electric Key
Fig 3	Gamewell Fire Alarm Tapper
Fig 4	Signal Electric Spark Key
Fig 5	Vibroplex Deluxe Straight key
Fig 6	Bencher RJ-2 key
Fig 7	McElroy 200 Prof. Key
Fig 8	Wm. M. Nye H15-681 Key
Fig 9	Nye 330-001 Master Key
Fig 10	Spies WE 1B Pole Changer key
Fig 11	WECO 2A Pole Changer key
Fig 12	J.H. Bunnell Sideswiper
Fig 13	Amplidan Professional Marine key
Fig 14	WW1 British dummy training key
Fig 15	Western Electric 1A
Fig 16	Signal Electric "Triumph" style key
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Fig.1: New Zealand Supreme

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This particular key is about 25 years old. All metalwork is brass and the base is made from Rimu wood. The Perspex finger guard is original.

Some Supreme keys had orange, yellow, blue, clear or black finger guards, while many, like this one,
had a red finger guard. The Supreme keys were made in Christchurch, New Zealand and marketed by Tri-City House. They appear to have been made from 1973 (perhaps earlier) until 1993. These keys are still popular with New Zealand amateur radio operators - their action is similar to that of a Post Office key. This one measures ~ 6" x 3" and weighs ~14 oz.

This key HERE was the last one made in 1993 and was referred to as "The new refurbished velvet touch of the Supreme solid brass Morse key."

Fig. 2: Early Signal on wood

An early steel lever key, received as a gift from a very nice lady whom I met while rag- chewing on CW one day. This is a Signal Electric key, once distributed by The Nathaniel Baldwin Consolidated Radio Products.

Fig.3: Fire Alarm "Tapper"

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This is NOT a telegraph key but rather it's a fire alarm "tapper". They were mounted on a wall vertically.

I am not 100% sure of the maker but I feel that it likely was made by a company called "Gamewell" which made most fire alarm devices in that era.

In case of fire, the person reporting the fire would close the switch and simply tap a series of dots according to his assigned code - say "345" for that location. Three dots for "3", four dots for "4" and five dots for "5".

Fig. 4: Signal Electric "Spark"

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Signal Electric Mfg. Co., Menominee, Michigan "Spark Key". The base is roughly 3-5/8 x 2 " and it weighs
~ 11 oz.

Signal advertised this key as being for radio transmitters, heavy duty, Navy type, and "particularly b popular with shipboard operators".

It was available with 3 different contact diameters, coin silver: 3/16", "1/4". and 3/8"and selling for $4.50, $4.60, and $4.85 One site refers to these as "R-65", "R-66", and "R-67".(C) abt. 1919 till ?. Click HERE to view underside.

Fig. 5: Vibroplex Straight Key

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This is touted as a "deluxe" model straight key by Vibroplex. It is Serial # 07358. It is a quite heavy, chrome plated piece, with a base 4-1/2" long by 3-1/2" wide and it weighs about 2.75 lbs. Sold as seen, also combined with paddle, and/ or bug. Available in a less expensive painted base, chrome as shown, and with an over-priced light gold - flashed tinny cover plate. You can get combinations
with paddle and bug on the same base.

Fig. 6: "Bencher" RJ-2.

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The RJ-1 (not pictured) has a painted black base. Older models had a spring from a box mattress. If you now have one of these, write or Email Bencher for a replacement.

This key is 4" long by 3" wide and weighs in at a 1-1/2 lbs. Adjustments are made using an Allen wrench (provided and clipped underneath). With the proper strength spring this is a great little key to use on air.

Fig.7: McElroy/TAC 200

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Called a "Stream key", due to the tear-drop shape. Black wrinkled, base chrome lever.

These keys were made in Boston, Mass. McElroy did produce some keys with a white speckled Marbelite "deluxe" finish in his bug line that were a mite fancier. He also made a chrome plated version.

Fig. 8: Wm .M. Nye H15-681

320-001
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320C-003 ?
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W.M. Nye, Bellevue, Washington. Two obviously different models, but both stamped with identical Models No. H15-681. Nye is now located in Priest River, Idaho. I am now believing that the H15-681 may be a part number for the bases?

These keys are referred to now as "The classic rectangular Speed-X" keys.

A very simple, classic American ham radio choice. It is a relatively lightweight ( < 7 oz) . and fairly inexpensive key. It would have to be screwed to your operating desk.

Fig. 9: Nye 330C-001 Master

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This key has the weight in the base to stay put. Instead of having an electrical contact closure between the lever and a base mounted contact, this unique key has an insulated rod that goes down inside of the base and closes a set of spring steel contacts below. See HERE for details. They sold for $139.95 originally in 1999.

A great key to use, very quiet and it is just the right height and "feel" for on air use. I wish they offered a different knob as an option.

The painted key is roughly 4-1/2" x 3". It weighs right at 1 lb 10 oz.

Fig. 10: Spies W.E. 1-B "Polechanger"

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A Pole Changer key (Polarity Changing) key W.E. 1-B made by Spies Electric Works, Chicago, IL. 12-3/4 oz. and 3-1/2"x 5" Note 3 contacts. The center one is dead.

I have traced the circuitry of my key out and don't see how, without external wiring, etc. it would ever work as some have claimed to switch between two different key inputs. This key had to have been associated either with a C.O. Switchboard or a portable field test set of some sort.

No, nothing to do with changing telegraph poles or with secret spies. There was a man by the name of Spies.

Fig. 11: WECO 2-A Polechanger

Western Electric 2-A Pole Changer Key. This is a very similar key to the Spies WE 1-B above I believe. It weighs in at 13 oz. and measures at the base 3-1/2" x 5". I still maintain neither of these keys, as they sit, can key 2 different transmitters by just throwing the switch without some revamping.

Fig. 12: Bunnel Double Speed key

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Nicknamed the "Sideswiper" it was invented in 1888 originally. This key was developed to overcome so called "glass arm" Telegraphers' paralysis or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which is a painful condition caused by using ordinary vertical pump keys for long periods of time.

This is a scarce, very collectible key. I have seen an old QST ad from 1949 offering this key, obviously a second issue edition by Bunnell, for $9.

Recent EBay sales have recently brought $340. This is a small sized key, only 5-1/4" total length and 1-5/8" wide. It only weighs 6.4 Oz. It would have to be bolted to an operating table or a beefy base to actually use. Some call these "cootie keys" and it takes considerable practice to use them correctly.

Fig. 13: Amplidan Model 050713

WITHOUT COVER

WITH COVER
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AMPLIDAN A/S of Denmark stopped making these keys some ten years back with the almost total cessation of maritime CW coastal stations monitoring the HF CW channels. They were a very popular and well-known professional marine CW key.

The key weighs 2 Lbs - 5.7 oz. and the base measures 8-7/8" x 2-3/8" with overall height 2.25" to the top of the knob.

I removed the 6-pin DIN plug and replaced it with a miniature stereo plug cord. No big deal. Morse Express apparently has acquired the remaining stock of these keys from the manufacturer. They sell currently for $359.95 including shipping by DHL.

Fig. 14: Key, Dummy Signallers

My best guess is British in origin. It weighs a scant 11.7 oz. The base is about 5-1/4" x 3-5/16". The real oddity is I cannot see where any connection points would be on top or on the bottom as it sits today. It has no obvious wear marks showing anything pressed against it. It really looks like it was never used at all.

The riddle seems to be solved by assuming no electrical contact was ever intended to be made with it.

See Neal McEwen's website Look at his example below.

Great similarities, I feel this is another "Key, Dummy, Signallers" by the firm of Houghton-Butcher Mfg. Co. Ltd. circa about 1917 used to train WW1 British armed forces by learning "click" sounds. Weird, eh what ?

Fig. 15: Western Electric 1A

This is a really neat custom mount of a classic Western Electric 1A made for the AT&T Co. Western Electric, or WECO as most called it was the manufacturing company for most all of the telecom gear used by AT&T and the Bell Telephone System before the Federal Government decided to fix something that wasn't broken.

Whoever mounted this key did a super job, with a weighted base, and machine threaded inserts for the mounting screws and even a little pin embedded under the spring indent to help steady the spring. Note also the routed plinth it is mounted on. It is steady as a rock to use.

Bravo ! I improved it only slightly with a rubber pad beneath for more grip.

Fig. 16: Signal Electric (Mod. ?)

Copy of the classic J. H. Bunnell "Triumph" key made by Signal Electric Co. of Menominee, Michigan.
It has the number "590" stamped beneath the base. It also has the words "Signal Electric Co. Menominee, Mich" stamped on top of the base at the rear and beneath the shorting lever. Legless brass keys of this type were made by the thousands by different makers.