…but I’m back with a short note. Life has had me much too busy for fun, but I feel the need to change that, of course. Recently, I buttoned up the Johnson Navigator and National NC-270 and figured out how to fit them into my tiny office area. Now, at the flip of a (coaxial) […]
The Begali Intrepid Bug / Paddle – absolute genius! When I purchased this key used, I did not really understand it – I thought it was a Bug, and a weird one at that. Its actually two keys in one – a single lever sideswiper paddle and a bug. Another genius Begali Swedish Pump Key […]
As I have previously blogged about in this space, my ham radio resolution for 2019 has been to get on the air and make contacts with the low-power or “QRP” kits – transmitters, receivers, transceivers, and accessories, that I have built. Today I write to report that I have achieved my goal, having made my […]
Photo by Bill, W2CQ The Les Logan 510 Speed-X Bug prototype (actually a Stewart Johnson Bug) These were made in either Fresno or San Francisco in the 1930’s not long after the Great Depression – and they did not have plates on them. This one has wiring on the base – not the usual metal […]
I just “fell into” this Prototype Speed-X bug. This is pre-Vibroplex vintage, and Mint It looks like it has been restored- and that the restorer was a Master Craftsman. Its just gorgeous. The price was an offer I couldn’t pass up. I swear – these things have been finding me. I only wanted a National […]
The three microphones L-R are the Astatic D-104, probably the #1 mic that hams used with the KWS-1, the Shure 51B “Sonodyne” – used mostly by recording artists like Nat King Cole, Turner 99 – the oddball of the three, I don’t know what it was used for in its day. The three keys L-R […]
Mushrooms. No particular reason why I used this photo except it looks cool. My friend Tony, K4QE wrote a nice note to me regarding this blog, and it occurred to me that the Pursuit, the Journey and the Rewards are the best reasons to have a hobby. I like the word “Maker”, and I’m sure […]
This week we spotlight Bernard D. Greeson, KH6P. Originally licensed in 1956 as K9CUC. Surrendered that call when I passed my Amateur Extra license test (20WPM) at the FCC office in Honolulu in 1979, and issued my present call, KH6P. Captain, United States Navy (Retired). Nuclear submariner. Marine Engineer. Following retirement from the Navy, served as […]
This Bug has serial number 124407, which dates to 1943 – during a very busy WWII time I wanted a good representative version of a Vibroplex Bug – just so I could use it with the Collins KWS-1 (if I ever get it back – hi hi). There is a great PDF available on the […]
Hallicrafters 1959 Christmas Advertisement Hallicrafters seems to be one of the first “mega” advertisers. They had quite a bit of gear – many models – and obviously had a big advertising budget. I had OT Elmers who thought Hammarlund made better gear, and everyone knew that Collins was the best of the best. However, Hallicrafters seemed […]
The Hallicrafters TA-1 “TO Keyer” This tube based keyer was first sold in 1960 – which was about 5 years after the Gold Dust Twins were first released. I’ll have one next weekend – and it will be a lot of fun – especially because it has a monitor, and will be cool to hear […]
The Astatic D-104, 10-C and 10D – classics and used with the KWS-1 There are so many cool microphones, but I will cherry pick a couple decent one’s and also will pick a set of keys to use with the Collins KWS-1. Astatic D-104, Shure “Sonodyne” 51B, Turner 99 I replaced the old dried out […]
1945 Vibroplex Bug Now that I have decided to decommission my Ham Radio Station from “Struggling Alligator Masochistic DX Station” to “Just Have Fun Station”, I have a new “Mission Statement”: Only do it if it’s fun Whims are highly encouraged Learn something new daily Keep it simple Build or fix more than buy Use […]
Now that I have a couple “period” microphones to play with when the KWS-1 RF Deck comes back, I will also have a couple keys to play with – I already have the Begali Intrepid “oddball” Bug, and will have a couple old Vibroplex bugs. I expect to land on one or two of each […]
I had big fun in the KY6R shack today – I used my DVM to triple check the wiring of my re-capping plus replacing a selenium rectifier and replacing a suspect 0B2 tube. I also found a pair of 1 1/2 amp Buss fuses that I hear are hard to find. The fellow who owned […]
The Begali Intrepid Bug – its pivot and weights are “backwards” as compared to the Vibroplex This is a novelty key – and a fun one at that. I am playing with it and the Begali CW Machine – another strange but interesting CW toy. More on the CW Machine in a future blog. Its […]
THE VIBROPLEX #3347 HORACE G MARTIN’S UNITED ELEC MFG CO NORCROSS GA KEY BUG – Buy – THE VIBROPLEX #3347 HORACE G MARTIN’S UNITED ELEC MFG CO NORCROSS GA KEY BUG
