Mumfier 89 — :Mlzrcfi 2004

ISSN 0953-6426 £2. 75

‘Z‘fieMorsefll/[cgazine

‘L‘arfy 'L‘uropean Camefiacflxey

I I I I I I I IThe International Journal of Morse Telegraphy

EDITORIALANDSUBSCRIPTIONOFFICES:

Morsum Magnificat.The Poplars.Wistunswick. Market Drayton.Shropshire TF9 28A. England.Phone: +44 (0i I630 638306FAX: +44i0i 1630 63805l

MORSI ’MMAGNIFICAT irasfirst publishedas a quarterlymagazine in Holland. in 1983. by thelate Rinus Hellemons PAOBFN. It has been producedfour. then sit times a year in Britain since 1986.and up to January 1999 was published and edited by Tony Smith. G4FAI and GeoffArnold.(BGSR. It aims to provide intemational eoveruge of all aspects of Morse telegraphy. pastpresent and future. MORSL'M MAGNIFICAT is for all Morse enthusiasts, amateur or

professional. ar‘tii'e or retired. It brings together material which would otherwise be lost toposterity, providing an invaluable souree of interest. reference and record relating to the

traditions and practice of Morse.

EDITOR: Zyg Nilski. G3OKDe-mnil: zyg©MorseMagcom MM home page — www.morsemag.com

© The Nilski Partnership MMIV Printed by Hertfordshire Display plc. Ware. Hens

All drawings. photographs and articles are copyright and no part of this publication may be reproduced, storedin a retrieval system or transmitted in any iorrn or by any means without express permission oi the publishers.The Nilski Partnership. Copyright may also be the property oi contributors.

“When did my subscription expire ...?“This is printed on the top line of the address label.

Also. we shall jog your memory “llh a renewal reminder included with that final issue.

MM Back IssuesIssues Nos. 34.35 and 38—89 available from the

Editorial offices (see top of pagei. Price including postage £2.75 each to UK: £2.95 to Europe:£3.25 «US $5) Rest of the World by airmail. Deduct 20”: if ordering 3 or more.

FRONT COVERNineteenth century European camelback key

Photo/Collection: Fons Vanden Berghen. Halle. Belgium

CommentIt is when I came to wind up the magazine that I realised how many peoplecontribute to its success in one way or another. Special thanks to readers who haveoffered articles, information and photos for publication, without which themagazine would not have been possible. Also thank you very much for the manymessages, e-mails and letters of appreciation — it makes it all worthwhile.

Producing MM has been a most interesting. challenging and satisfyingexperience and. not coming from a publishing background, the support andadvice given by Geoff Arnold and Tony Smith. the previous publishers. JohnWatkins and Glen Jones of Hertfordshire Display plc. our Printer. has beeninvaluable.

The future of Morsum Magnificat is still not final. but this is the last issuethat I will produce, although back issues will continue to be available until stocksrun out.

I have made many new friends around the world and hope that we cankeep in touch. Zyg Nilski, G30KD ---------- - — - -

Contents2 Auction of Marconi Side-lever Key2 A Key with a History by Lee Grant, G3XNG3 Notes on Sending & Receiving Morse by E. Geoffrey Walsh6 Morse Matters — Making Morse MIDI Files / Morse with MP3 Files /

Swapping the Paddle Hand / KlEL Keyer Chips / Teaching Morse /Another CW Filter / Morse-reading Program / Johnny Cash. CW Ham /Batteries of Telegraphy / Baghdad Battery by Dr 0013‘ Bold, ZLIAN

17 Russian Cosmanaut Key by Apostilos Bourousis, SVIEDY18 MM Bookshelf20 A Hero at the Telegraph contributed by David Prom, 68FEX21 MM Binders and Back Issues22 Index for Morsum Magnificat — Issues 83 - 8928 Leaming Q Codes - a poem contributed by Lee Grant, G3XNG29 Australian Telegraph Keys & Instruments by Ron McMztllen46 Your Letters47 Readers Ads

flit/arts5 Morse Enthusiasts Group. Scotland5 The Radio Officers Association16 Radio Bygonesl6 G-QRP Club27 The A11 & Skill of Radio Telegraphy — book by William G. PieipontIBC FISTS CW Club - The International Morse Preservation SocietyMM89 — Wfarcfi 2004 J

Auction of Marconi Side-Iever Key (Titanic-type)

On Febmary 14‘“. 2004 the auction of arestored Marconi side-lever key closedon ‘e—bay‘, the intemet auction house.The price? — $6100 (about £3200 atcurrent exchange rates).

It was described as follows:“This is a large o1igina1 Titanic typespark key. Made by Marconi‘s WirelessTelegraph Co Ltd London. (ID plate ismissing) This key was made for usewithout the Gray Magnetic Relay. Alloriginal EXCEPT the black knobs andthe side lever switch. These and the IDplate were missing when the key wasfound. The side lever was machinedand added for complete look and

function. The remark above aboutTitanic type refers to the time periodthe key was made and placed in service.The actual Marconi station the key wasused in is unknown. All brass hardwareon hardwood base measuring 9 incheslong by 5 inches wide."

A Key with a History by Lee Grant, 63XNGThis is a typical “Scandinavian” key,much copied, like a lot of good things.even as far as the last generation ofAdmiralty Pattern/NATO keys in thegrey boxes that were being sold atrallies until a few years ago at bargainpn'ces! The key was

Correspondent of the Cape TimesNewspaper, George Young /ZSlY, whois still alive, in his eighties and used byhim for over 60 years. He is now in hiseighties and he recently passed it on toZSlWA.

made by Ericsson &Co. Stockholm. circa1910.and recoveredfrom the wreck of aN o r w e g i a nF r e i g h t e r“Lygenfjord”(builtin 1913) whichfloundered off CapeSt. Francis in SouthAfrica in 1938. Thekey was given to theS h i p p i n E

2 W89 - Marcfi 2004

N CHAPTER 9 of The Alt & Skill ofRadio—Telegraphy there isdetailed the differences between

the American and British methods ofkeying. In general the American keyswere smallish and light to operated.They were on the bench about 18 inchesback from the edge so that theforearm could rest on the surface.Keying was by wn'st movements.

The British keys weretraditionally bigger and were placed atthe edge of the bench. There was wristmovement but also some elbowmovement.

These motions may. at leastsometimes, have been in anti-phase.because of a flail likerelationship. Obviously with a heavilyconstructed key the chair should befurther back than with one that islightly constructed.

The British system of sendingit is probably best when the height ofthe seat should be such that the elbowis flexed to about a right angle.

Some authorities advisedabout practice with the right and leftsides as insurance against problems of"Telegraphists‘ Cramp". an injurywhich afflicted numbers of operators.

An Anatomical ExplanationIn 1884. T. W. Fulton in a medicalarticle on telegraphists‘ cramp.described the process of sending Morseas follows:11%{89 — Marcfl 2004

Notes on Sending &

Receiving Morse

by E. Geoffrey WalshGM4FH(SK)

‘The manipulation consists ina succession of depressions of theproximal arm against the resistance ofthe spling. The range of movement ofthe key varies from about I/: to 1/5. oreven U3 of an inch. and the resistanceof the spring varies from two to fourounces. The thumb. index. andmiddle fingers of the right hand areapplied somewhat loosely to the knob(Figure l). and are held more or lessrigid in a position of flexion andopposition: but they may be varied alittle.

"The movement is one of flexionand extension. and takes placechiefly at the wrist. but slightly at theelbow. and in part also at themetacarpo-phalageal joints of theindex and medius: these fingersbeing slightly raised from the knobbetween each group of contractionswhich form a letter.

“The muscles called into playin the upward movement are theextensors of the carpus and of thedigits: particularly that part of the

1_)

common extensorwhich commandsthe index andmedius, and thespecial extensor ofthe index. Theextensors of thethumb arealso involved. Thed o wn wardmovement isproduced by theflexors of the carpusandof the digits.especially thoseportions of the common flexors whichact on the index and radius. And.further. since these fingers and thethumb are maintained in a position offlexion and opposition, there isslight. constant. but variablecontraction of the adductor. opponens.and flexores pollicis. of the carpalextensors, and of the flexors of thedigits mentioned.

"It is probable that theinterossei and lumbricales arealso brought into operation. The tricepsand the flexors of the fore—arm arealso implicated."'

Receiving MorseIn the second half of the

nineteenth century there was a filthyof activity because telegraphy hadbecome easily the most important wayof rapidly transmitting informationover distances.

Many connections were madeacross countries and indeed continents.A telegraphic line that stretched for along distance was expensive requiring

4

much wire. many poles for supportsand maintenance. By comparison theequipment needed at the telegraphoffices was fairly cheap. In thesecircumstances. the speed at which handMorse was sent was at a premium. Untilabout the end of that century handkeying was the norm.

Again at the receiving end thespeed with which the Morse code couldbe copied was equally important. itwas useless to send signals so rapidlythat the operator heaiing them cannotcopy satisfactorily.

The prowess of the operatorsdepended on the speeds that they couldreliably use in sending and receiving.The fastest speeds ever copied are about75 words a minute. and for this touch-typing, using a ‘mill' (typewriter)rather than hand-writing was used.

A person who was to becomefamous in the art of telegraphy wasWalter Chandler. Early in the twentiethcentury he obtained a post in Atlanta atthe Western Union Telegraph Office.He lasted one day and was fired for

MM89 - Marcfi 2004

lack of skill. His pride was woundedand he wanted to know why after twoyears of practice he could not holddown a standard commercial job.

I am now inclined to quote aFrench proverb- ”On apprend enfaillant’ (One learns by failing).

Chandler took a post on arailroad where the requirements fortelegraphers were less demanding (USterminology is ‘telegraphers‘ not‘telegraphists' as used in the UK.) Henoticed in the nightly vigils that whenhalf asleep he could copy code muchbetter than when alert. He went into atrance: when skilled operators arefollowing signals at close to the limitseverything else if blacked out.

Chandler went on to develop ahighly successful correspondencecourse. It is a truism that ‘practicemakes perfect‘ but there must be addeda caveat. Practice con‘ectly performedcan lead to improvement, but if en‘orsare repeated and bad habits becomeingrained, nothing advantageousresults.

A world champion Morse codeoperator. W7JWJ aired his views aboutthe best form of side tone to be used: hestrongly recommended that theoscillator should generate sine ratherthan square waves as the harmoniccontent is much less and the demandson the ears are reduced?

In copying code a skilled manwill be four to eight letters behind,what he hears. the signals go into whatthe psychologists call a ‘sort termmemory buffer“.

Sources1. Fulton T. W. (1884) Telegraphists'Cramp The Edinburgh Clinical andPathological Journal 1. (17). 369—375

2. Cafferky, Mike (1991) An Interviewwith W7JWJ. World Champion MorseCodeOperator Radioscan 21-24.

3. Han‘ison J. W. W4FSE (1939) 25years of code. Radio News

THEMORSE ENTHUSIASTS GROUP SCOTLANDMEGS was formed in 1991 to encourage the use of Morse. especially bynewcomers. Regular skeds are held using our callsign ‘GMORSE‘ each Monday andThursday from 7 until 9 p.111. (local timer around 3.53OMHZ. Among other services.we offer Morse practice tapes free of charge. other than postage. This offer is nowalso available to MM readers. Membership is open worldwide. the ‘Scotland' in ourtitle simply shows place of origin. Lifetime membership £1.00.Details from Secretary: G.l\I. Allan GM-lHYF. 22 Tynwald Avenue.Rutherglen, Glasgow G73 4RN, Scotland.

The Radio Officers AssociationMembership is open primarilyto former MN radio officers but is also open toanyonewhohashad an association with

maritimecommunicationsoris interested inthesubject. Members receivethequarterly newsletterQSO and its associated

amateurcomponentQRZ. There is an annual reunion and AGM. Forfurtherdetails and informationpleasecontactthe Membership Secretary - John Russell, 21 Landcross Drive, Northampton. NN3 3LR.

$491189 — Elam/i 2004

Morse MattersbyDr Gary Bold

Making Morse MIDI FilesMorse with MP3 Files

Swapping the Paddle HandThe K1EL Keyer Chips

Teaching MorseAnother CW Filter

Morse-reading ProgramJohnny Cash, CW Ham

The Batteries of TelegraphyThe Baghdad Battery

externally, input through thesoundcard, or from Morse keyboardsoftware such as CWType — if yoursoundcard supports duplex operation.However. WAV files are very large.With an appropriate plug-in. you canconvert WAV to MP3 files, but eventhese will be relatively large.

The solution is to make a MIDIfile. as used for recording music.Instead of storing sampled sounddirectly. MIDI files store informationabout how the sound is to be generatedin the soundcard. Thus. being"interpreted". they are much smaller.

Rob, KAZBEO distributes“CWMIDI”. a PC program that does

Making Morse MlDl FilesSeveral people have contacted meabout making computer audio files ofMorse. Why would you want to dothis? Some reasons:Distributing material for

Elle gm. grew

this. You can download the free versionfrom his website at http://www.11atradioco.com/rdey/robsmidihtm

The operating window is shownin Figure 1. It‘s a “text to Morse"

flelocode practice sessions. Me 3mg: incur:

attaching to emails toexcite. interest or irritateother Morse people. or touse as audio introductionsto Ham websites. Ideally.clicking on such a file

,JMes :age layout.

talc-:10: de :n an :1 Ian :11 an

Qancel

‘J‘J impart

should bring up one of thestandard audio players. toplay the Morse throughyour soundcard.

It's relatively

CG CI] CU DE ZL‘lAN EMAN ZLTAH .1 Halo

14%f. . Code fipeed lone Frequency Volume Levelstralghtforward. us1ng a‘ “ ran _:_I‘NF‘M r“ 4.10 Hz a Nominal

package such as Goldwave. r—'-l a 74(le Mamrnum

to create a standard Wave(WAV) file from audioMorse generated either Figure 7'

6 WEI/[89 - :Marcfi2004

converter, so you don‘t even need aMorse key. After opening an outputfile. the text to be converted is enteredin the top box. You can either type it in,cut and paste from another document,or import a text file.

Common pro—signs aresupported. The speed is set with thelower right—hand window. and with theRegistered version (available for a veryreasonable fee), you can even set upFarnsworth Morse, at a (fixed)character speed of 18 wpm. Pressingthe “OK" button starts the conversionand generates the MIDI file.

Example: Encoding the sentence"the quick brown fox jumps over thelazy dog” at 5 wpm. Farnsworth, 8 kHzsampling. results in a 90 second WAVfile of 1.44 Mb. Squishing this downinto a low-quality (16 kB/s. 8 kHz,mono) MP3 file still requires 181 kB.But CWMIDI produces a file of just1.16 kB!

I‘ve found that the audio soundsquite different on different computers.On my more modern office machine.there's a bell—like ring to the tone. Robcomments “When the program was firstwritten. most sound cards used FMsynthesis, which sounded great forMorse when using default instrument51 for sound. Today‘s soundcards usewavetable synthesis, and the codesounds rather musical. Setting up theMIDI mapping in Windows can changethis, though I’m not certain about doingit in modern operating systems such asWindows 2000, ME, XP etc.

"I recently found a new purposefor CWMIDI. 1 used the program tocreate ring tones for my cellphone.W89 — Mzrcfi 2004

Now, I hear ‘CQ CQ CQ...' when I get acall! This ringtone is available fordownload from my WAP site forwireless devices. The URL is availablefrom www.natradi0co.com which is myhome page.”

There‘s an extensive help file.which includes a nice summary of theMIDI standard. though not the fonnatof a binary MIDI file. However, if youwant to change the instrument type orrummage around in it with a HEXeditor. it‘s easy to find the format onthe web. Thanks Rob. for making thisavailable!

Morse with MP3 FilesRon. ZLIAI, writes: "I don‘t get on theair often. and wanted to brush up myMorse. I also needed a USB drive. so I

bought a 128 MB “SuperMax RL—lOl”with built-in MP3 player from a localcomputer shop. This will play eitherWAV or MP3 files. These devices,typically having 32 to 512 MB of flashmemory, have become popular fortransferring data between computers.or for temporary data storage. They arecertainly better than floppies,especially for large files, which exceedthe capacity of a single floppy disk.

Playing audio frotn the USBdrive is much more convenient thanusing a PC or tape recorder.

“The simplest way to get Morseonto the drive is to plug it into acomputer. and download the ARRLpractice files from their web-site'. "TheARRL files are text from QST at speedsof 5, 7.5,10,13.15,18.20. 25, 30. 35,and 40 wpm. Each session is around 8to 12 minutes long. and they change

/

the text about every two weeks.“The USB drive/players have

multiple 'tracks‘ that you can put Morseand music on.just like a CD. The Morsefiles are much smaller than stereo musicfiles. so a 128 MB USB drive will stillgive you about two hours of highquality music. in addition to all thepractice Morse you could possibly want.

And of course you can take yourfavourite computer program with youwhen you go visiting.

“I also recorded sorrre otherpractice material, (short-wordrecognition lists) by generating thecode with your program on an old IBMlaptop. (which has the PC speaker soundcome out the sound card jack. alongwith the sound card audio), and wiringthat to the sound card input on mydesktop PC. I recorded with Goldwave.and converted to MP3 with Lame. andit worked really well.

"So the message is. if you areabout to buy a USB drive. considergetting one with an MP3 player builtin. You never know. you might decideto give Morse a go. And when you getweary of Morse. you can listen to themusic tracks."

I‘ve heard of these ARRLpractice files. and downloaded a 20wpnr sample to check out. This was 906kB long. and played for 7 minutes. 43seconds. I also have a 512 kB USB"memory stick". which is just a storagedevice. and it‘s certainlyrevolutionised the way I transfersoftware between computers.

Swapping the Paddle HandChas. ZL3CED. writes: “Recently at8

work I had to change to operating mycomputer mouse from my right to myleft hand due to impending RSI. Mymind told me that it would beimpossible. because I had been righthanded all my life.

"But after adjusting the mousesettings. within a few days I had itmastered - proving to me that the wordcan't is a myth!

"Then. looking around myshack, I noticed that I was using myright hand to operate the mouse. theBencher Iambic paddle. and also towrite. My left hand was idle exceptwhen used on the keyboard. In fact. itwas getting to the point when in busyperiods during contests my right-handRSI started to creep back again.

"I had two options. I could eitherswap the mouse to the left hand. whichI knew could be done. or swap thepaddle to the left hand. That word can'traised its ugly head again. My mindsaid 'There‘s no way you'll be able tosend left-handed CW on the paddle!‘But I gave it a try!

After some practice. once againI have buried the word ‘can't!' I noticedsomething weird though. When usingthe paddle with the right hand the thumbkeyed the dot and the finger keyed thedash. When I swapped hands my mindkept telling me that the thumb wasagain the dot. but in actual fact it wasthe dash. So I caved in and swapped theterminals on the paddle so that thethumb keyed the dot. This was muchbetter! So now the right hand is free todrive the mouse or write and the lefthand is doing the paddling.

"It remains to be seen if I canMW[89 - flfarcfi 2004

drive the PO straight key with the lefthand in the next SKN contest. Willsoon see! "

I've also spasmodically triedsending left—handed with the paddle,but never stuck at it long enough tobecome proficient. I also noticed thatthe thumb really wants to send the dits,regardless of which hand it‘s on. Thethumbs clearly know about each other.

The K1 EL KeyerChipsSteve3 who makes these excellentproducts, writes "I have decided tostop offering the parts kit for the K9and K10 chips. Keyers have continuedto evolve here in the States and thereare keyers that are better and cheaperthan my Kchips.The NorCal QRP club3 is offering a fullkit with chip and parts for $18 (US) forDX orders. Looks very good. 73,Steve."

This NorCal keyer offersprogrammable memories, speedcontrol by either pot or paddle, beaconmode, as well as the now standardpaddle polarity swap, iambic A or B

modes, optional sidetone andautospace. I’ve never tried one. If youhave. and want to write a review, we‘dbe delighted to receive it. However, I

still feel that Steve‘s K9 chip inparticular for $8 (US) is a real winner.Using only 5 components besides themicroprocessor chip (the NorCal keyeruses 12 excluding the regulatorsection) it's so simple to wire up thatyou hardly need a PCB. It‘s also verysimple to operate.

Steve has other products too.and it's worth checking out his website?MM89 — {Marcfi 2004

People are still re-discoveringand publishing keyer circuits using 555timers, ip—ops, relays or analoguecircuitry. Please don't keep sendingthese to me, and don‘t build one unlessyou're a vintage keyer enthusiast. Themicroprocessor units are cheaper,simpler and better.

Teaching MorseKen, VE6AFO writes: "I’m writing totell readers my expeliences with Gary‘sfreeware Morse teaching program.

“My background: I reside inCalgary, Alberta, Canada and have beenlicensed since 1961 at age 15. Amateurradio is a central pan of my life. andI‘ve always sought opportunities toreturn something to it. One of myactivities is the instruction andadministering of Morse code and theoryexams under the authority of IndustryCanada - the regulatory body thatgoverns our Amateur Radio affairs. I

have been an Accredited Examinersince 1990 when the program firstbegan.

"I am always searching forbetter ways to teach Morse code andtried several of the many hundreds ofMorse code teaching programsavailable. I learned of Gary‘s freewaresoftware on the NZART web site, andwas immediately impressed. Mostimportantly, it was very user fn'endly.There were no overwhelming bells andwhistles to deal with and the tutorngfeatures were excellent.

"This brings me to why I amwriting this note. Around the time ourMorse code requirement was reducedfrom 12 wpm to 5 wpm. I discovered an

9

interesting anomaly. I was instructingstudents at the slower speed using aFamsworth speed of 13 wpm.

“A common complaint fromstudents was that they ‘couldn'tdecipher characters‘. That was when I

realized that they were trying todecipher each dot and dash rather thanhearing and learning the distinct soundof each character, In other words. forthem the Farnsworth speed of 12 or 13

wpm appeared to be an apparenthindrance. Decreasing the characterspeed made it initially easier for them.Of course this is an obvious stepbackwards from the correct way oflearning using 13 wpm FarnsworthMorse. which makes it much easier toincrease speed later.

However I was willing to changeif it meant my students could pass the 5

wpm requirement as a result."I contacted Gary and told him

of my findings. His teaching programdefaults to Farnsworth 14 wpm and isonly adjustable down to 12 wpm. I

asked Gary if he could modify theprogram to allow the Farnswotth speedto go below tlns. To my surprise he didso. producing a customized versionjust for me - although he did expressgreat reservations.

"I‘ve now used this program foralmost a year. I have students whohave successfully passed the required5 wpm using it. whereas previouslythey experienced difficulty. I foundmost preferred Earnsworth speeds ofonly 6 to 8 wpm when learning to copyMorse code at 5 wpm.

“Gary‘s program also allows meto prepare text for administering the

10

test with the ability to change the tone.(another common complaint from mystudents with previous programs). thecode speed and Farnsworth speed. I

now use this customized versionexclusively for administering the codetest and have abandoned audiotapesfor good! Isn‘t technology wonderful?

“My conclusion. Since only 5

wpm is now required for the AmateurRadio Licence. I am prepared to teachcandidates to only this level. Most ofthem. at least here. have no incentive toleam Morse code in a manner whichwill ease the transition to faster speeds.""Gary. my thanks for producing thisduring the time when you were injuredand were convalescing from yourautomobile accident. While all this washappening you had the modifiedprogram to me within a week!"

Ken. thanks for the nice words.However. after my accident I couldn‘tdrive, couldn‘t walk much, and had tostay home while my body figured outhow to fix itself. Pottering at thecomputer was about the only thing I

could do. Your experiment gives foodfor thought. I'd like to think thatcandidates would like to advance theirMorse copying speed by leaming withFarnswonh, but maybe I‘m a fossil. Ahme. Times change.

Another CW FilterMost se1ious CW ops use some sort offilter to limit the audio bandwidth tomake copying easier. In the early days.low-fidelity equipment helped. Jumbo.ZLlHV. writes: “When telegraphy wasking - say until the end of WW2 —

operators wore headphones designedW89 - Mzrcfi2004

for the puipose. I have an idea that thediaphragms had a resonance of around1000 Hz and the operators of thosedays adapted their hearing to suit. It isonly in more recent times that “hi-fi“'phones and speakers have come intouse and it has been possible to changethe note.

"I still use head-phones for CWreception - they focus concentrationon the signal." Indeed. 1000 Hz wasthe frequency used in the enormouslypopular US code-reading contests ofthe 1930‘s. which would indicate thatthe contestants were used to it. Thesedays, audio passband limiting isincreasingly being done with digital.DSP circuits which give far superiorpassband shapes, and also allow thecentre-frequency to be varied. I wasrecently asked. ”The do—it-yourselfDSP filters I find on the web are far too

complicated. Is there a very simpleanalogue circuit for a band-pass CWfilter. which also allows the centre—frequency to be changed?"

Indeed there is. NIHFX gives aband-pass circuit on his web-pagewhich requires just one LM741 op-amp and a 386 Audio amplifier chip.He describes this as a "variablebandwidth" filter, but this is not quitecorrect. The circuit used. technicallyan “Infinite Gain Multiple Feedback"(IGMF) configuration. has a singlepotentiometer which increases the filterQ. and the centre—frequency at the sametime, so that the bandwidth remainsapproximately constant‘.

The frequency variation is moreapparent to the ear than the "selectivity-sharpening" effect. so I prefer todescribe it as a "variable frequency"filter. See NIHFX's website5 for the

Input

04toonFmOkn

FrequencyodjustN

Figure 2.

W69 —Mzrcfi 2004 J]

complete circuit. 5

Figure 2 shows thefirst. filter stage. withsome componentvalues changed (by 40 .

me) to optimise thefrequency range.

You'll see thatit is simple. It wouldbe an excellent clubconstructionalproject for beginners. :35 ~

which would also beuseful for them.

Response.

dB

'

IL)

L.

o

u

14.) a.

l (AO

—40 -

0>R;.—.20ti00hri1 R2 } 0 Olim

Although it has only a ,45 .two-pole (resonant- 10

circuit-like) transfercharacteristic andlacks the steep skirts of more complexfilters, it's good enough to make aperceptible difference. Some of theearly headphones that Jumbo mentionsmay have sounded like this.

Although I've used thisconfiguration before, I haven‘t had timeto construct it with these componentvalues. so I ran SPICE simulations tomeasure its performance. Figure 3shows the filter response for extremevalues of R2. the bandwidth control.The highest and lowest centrefrequencies are 585 Hz and 1060 Hzrespectively. The 3 dB bandwidthremains constant at about 180 Hz. andthe gain at about 2 dB. The higherfrequency peak appears narrowerbecause of the logarithmic frequencyscale. The 386 audio amplifier chip inNIHFX‘s version boosts the output bya further factor of 20 to drive phones ora small speaker. Any genericoperational amplifier could replace the

12

10‘ 10"Freqtmcy, Hz

Figure 3.

LM741. and the supply voltage is notcritical. If you build it. let us knowwhat you think?

Morse-reading ProgramRon, ZLlTW, alerted me to a programwhich Grant. WD6CNF has beendeveloping for about 4 years. It's called"CVVdecoderXP" and Figure 4 showsthe operating window of the latestcurrent version. Audio input is appliedto the mike socket 0f the soundcard.

No interface is necessary. Thetop window is a spectral display of theaudio passband. The peak shows a CWsignal which I've locked onto bysetting the vertical line with the mouse.The resulting decoded text is displayedin the middle window.

The signal is part of a QSO I

recorded on cassette tape some whileback on 80 meters. on a medium-noisynight. I use this recording as a

MM89 - Marcfi2004

as gym: arc- m Iva-Au" Eel:

__ u “Ti-rail

j ‘Rxfiain me x? xi

compensate for this.Grant‘s algorithm is

particularlyimpressive, resultingin decodingperformance whichis almostindependent of inputlevel - allcompensation isdone by the code andsound—card.

WordSpMLQIUM

Spaces

- I o aXmitTono 531m:

III-III. H Xmil Speedmm In fact. Grant

supplies fourSRRMB§= 2o l'nrcshzldabt‘a‘t’i‘dli?‘.‘ear"(mv H33'Fe5WF'M? 2:: [\rfutw’l-W 1?: different level-

. m '1 t i nFigure4. CO penst O

repeatable standard for comparing theperformance of different Morsedecoders. You can see that the text isnot perfect - partly because the sendingop was making occasional en‘ors, andpartly because of the QRN and QSB.However, it is just as good as thedecoded text from Sergei‘s “CWget”.which so far has beaten off all theopposition here.

This surprised and impressedme. There is a somewhat daunting arrayof controls, which you have to read the(excellent) help files to fullyunderstand, but I hadn't touched them,and this is what it did “straight out ofthe box”.

One of the greatest enemies ofMorse—reading programs is QSB.Because the human ear has excellentAGC we‘re usually unaware just howmuch the incoming signal is fading upand down compared to the noise, andall good software has some algorithmwhich attempts to automaticallyMM89 — Marcfi 2004

algorithm settings.optimised for different conditions. aswell an optional “time—line" display(not shown) which scrolls from theright showing the raw input signal, thechanging detection threshold, and theresulting logic signal sent to the actualMorse decoding algorithm. It‘sfascinating to watch this work!

Other features includeautomatic speed tracking. selectablesettings which attempt to compensatefor spacing peculian'ties, optional AFC(automatic signal frequency following)and an ability to transmit one of 10

message memories or text typed intothe bottom window. Grant is keen tosee what users think of his software. I

have no space for a full review here. sowe‘ll review it together. Grant haskindly allowed me to post the latestversion to my website page". where allthe latest versions of my Ham softwareare collected as well.

Download it and check it out.and send me comments”.

Johnny Cash, CW HamMany people, famous in other fields,have been keen Radio Hams as well.John Krause. a towering figure inElectrical Engineering. who wrote thedefinitive text on antenna theory. BillEitel. founder of Eirnac tubes (andfounder of the five star club of over—80

wpm CW operators). Owen Garriot.Tony England (astronauts). KingHussein of Jordan. Walter Cronkite (TVpersonality). Chet Atkins (guitarist).Paul Tibbetts (captained the planewhich dropped the first A-bomb) cometo mind.

I didn‘t know about the famoussinger below. however. His story wassent to me by Nigel. ZLZDF. It wasposted on the Elecraft reflector byColin. NOYGY. Colin relates:"Saturday afternoon I was listening inthe 3—meter band to WUMB UMassBoston radio. 91.9 MHZ. when theyhad on an old interview with the lateJohnny Cash. He was asked how he gotstarted in his career. and a great CWstory emerged."Cash was born on a small cotton farmin NE Arkansas. They were very poor,and the whole family worked the fieldstogether. Their only enjoyment wasthey did have a radio. When they camein from the fields. they could listen toErnest Tubb. the Carter Family. GeneAutry and so on. Johnny had a greatsinging voice. but the family was toopoor to afford a guitar so he just sang.His ambition for life was to sing on theradio.

"In 1950. he enlisted in the AirForce. Aptitude tests showed he hadgreat capability for Morse Code.14

probably due to his musical mind sethe thinks. He went to the usual AFplaces like Lackland and Keesler.graduating first in his class in CW.Then they selected him for high speedintercept operator and he aced thatclass. Then they sent him to learnRussian language and Russian code.He was doing 35 WPM in Russian. Ongraduation first in his class. he wasoffered either Adak Island Alaska orGermany. Cash didn‘t know anythingabout Adak except that it was hundredsof miles from nowhere. but he had heardthat Germany was a good place. so hewent there.

“After a few years. he made rankand became chief of the station.Meanwhile. in his off time. he finallyhad enough money to buy himself aguitar. which he instantly learned toplay. The Air Force offered him goodassignments and bennies to re-enlist.but he always just wanted to sing on theradio. The rest is history.“

The Batteries of TelegraphyMorse telegraphy could not developuntil the invention of the chemical cellby Allesendro Volta in 1800. This wasmerely two disks of zinc and silverseparated by cardboard soaked inseawater. Volta went further andconstructed a voltaic pile of such cellsin series. These days. we‘d call this abattery. and each cell would have hada potential of about 1.5 Volt Thisinvention was of immense significance.as it enabled the sustained productionof electric current for the first time.The unit of electrical potential was laternamed in Volta‘s honour.

W89 - Marcfl2004

Last year, I gave my standarddemonstration of Morse telegraphy toa University Electro- magnetism class,using a sounder, gel-cell and genuineland-line telegraph key. Afterwards, astudent approached me and said thathe’d heard that the first batteries wereintroduced to earthmen by extra-terrestrials, and given to theBabylonians by spacemen in UFOs2000 years ago. The Babylonians thenused them for electroplating and shocktherapy. Working models were in amuseum in Baghdad. Was this con‘ect?It sounds loopy, but read on.

The Baghdad BatteryHe was referring to the curious"Baghdad battery". which is descfibed(with varying degrees of scientificverisinrilitude) on many websites. Thefacts seem to be these: In 1938, theGerman archaeologist Wilhelm Konigdiscovered a small (15 cm high)brightly painted clay jar, which hadcome from 2000 year old ruins at KhujutRabu. just outside Baghdad. It‘s unclearwhether Konig excavated this himself,or whether he came across it in themuseum archives. Verticallysuspended inside the jar was a hollowcylinder of sheet copper 13 cm longand 4 cm in diameter. Suspended insidethis again, but not touching, was asmaller diameter iron rod. Thesecomponents were held in place bybitumen seals. The rod “showedevidence of having been corroded withan acidic agent", presumably fromsome liquid which had filled the jar.

Most sources date it asbelonging to the Parthian peliod, fromW89 — MUCH2004

about 250 BC to 200 AD. The Parthianswere a warrior race, but not renownedotherwise for any scientificachievements.

Konig immediately decided thatthis artefact could only be an electn'calbattery (strictly speaking, a cell). sincetwo different metals separated by anelectrolyte are all that you need. Hepublished a paper desc1ibing it (whichI have not seen) in 1940. Naturally, thiswas a most controversial assertion. andsome over- excited people immediatelybegan to make the extra- terrestrialspeculations referred to by the studentabove. But apparently, the scientificcommunity at the time largelydismissed this claim as being toopreposterous to be true.

Nevertheless, the artefact exists,and some sources claim that there areothers like it in the same museum. AfterWorld War II, Willard Gray of theAmerican GE High Voltage Laboratorybuilt reproductions. When filled with agrape-juice electrolyte. these producedan open-circuit voltage of “about halfa volt”. Other scientists did likewise,and claimed voltages up to 2 volt usingelectrolytes such as vinegar and wines.In the late seventies, Dr ArneEggebrecht connected many suchreplicas in series, and claimed to havesucceeded in electroplating a metalwith a thin layer of silver. It's suggestedby some that this may have been thebattery's primary use. since gildingwas a common decorative process atthe time.

Other suggestions weremedicinal: The ancient Greeks wroteof the pain-killing effect of electric

15

fish when applied to the soles of thefeet (l) Could several such series-connected cells have been non-biological substitutes? Others suggestPriests may have electrified idols. togive those touching a small shock,emphasizing the power of the God.However. no “wires" or metallicconnecting structures have ever beenfound.

The Baghdad battery continuesto be an enigma. If it was a cell. it‘sunique. because no similar artefactshave been found associated with anyother ancient civilisation. andknowledge of the technology was lostfor 2000 years. To see more. searchwith Google on Baghdad battery.You‘ll find many hits. and somephotographs and cutaway drawings. Ithas perplexed many people.

I‘ll discuss some other famousbatteries used in telegraphy in futurecolumns.

References

l. The ARRL web—site for Morse files ishttp://www.arrl.org/w1aw/Morse.html2. Steve‘s chips: http://klel.tripod.com/products.html3. NorCal Keyer kit: http://www.amqrp.org/kits/NCKeyer/index.html4. “Theoretical and Computer Analysisof Systems and Networks". Gary E].Bold and S.M.5. The NlHFX “simple filter" websiteishttp://www.rason.org/Projects/cwfilter/cwfilter.htm6. Grants CW decoder is athttp://www.phy.auckland.ac.nz/Staff/geb/loadshtm7. My email address isMorseman@nzart.org.nz(Adapted and edited for MM from GaryBold's The Morseman columnin BreakIn. the journal of NZART)

RadioBygones

the vintage wireless magazineAnnual subscription (6 issues):

UK - £18.50; Europe - £19.50; Restof the World £23.75.

Or send £3.25 for a sample copyFor further details, contactWimbomePublishingLimited

408 Wimborne Road East. FerndownDorset BH22 9ND. England

Phone: +44 (0) 1202 873872Fax: +44 (0) 01202 874562

E-mail: radiobygones@wimborne.co.uk

MasterCard —‘www. radiobygonescom VISA—

A\/0e

.

x/ \K?)0x‘>a\ 0n

G-QRP ClubThe G-QRP Club promotes andencourages low-power operatingon the amateur bands with activity periods,awards and trophies. Facilities include aquarterly magazine, Morse training tapes,kits. traders‘ discountsand a QSL bureau, Novices and SWLswelcome.Enquiries to Rev. GeorgeDobbsGSRJV,St Aidan’s Vicarage,498 Manchester Road, Rochdale,Lancs 0L11 3HE. Send alarge s.a.e. ortwo lFtCs

16 W89 - {Marcfi 2004

Russian Cosmonaut KeybyApostilosBourousis,SV1EDY

he Soyuz 13

space launchtook place on

Decemer 18th, 1973with two crewmembers. Theorbital module wasdominated by thelarge Orion 2

astrophysicalcamera. The crewc o n d u c t e dastrophysicalobservations ofstars in theultraviolet range.

Additional experimentsincluded spectrozonal photography ofspecific areas of the earth‘s surface,and continued testing of space craft‘son-board systems. It was recovered onDecember 26th, 1973 when it landedin a snowstorm 200 km south west of

Karaganda.Valentin Lebedev, one of the

crew is seen in the photograph in anopertating position which included theMorse key in my collection. The onlydifference is that my version has aconnector mounted on top of the case.

W89 — {Marcfi 2004 17

macawSpecialist Books on ‘Iefeflmpfiy 63/ Mai[ Order

PRICES INCLUDE POST & PACKING ANDALL EU/WORLD ORDERS ARESHIPPED BY PRIORITY/AIRMAIL UNLESS OTHERWISESTATED

All the books listed on these pages are currently available from stock but cannot be replenished whencurrent stock is sold. When purchasing books, please order from the latest list. The remainder of books

MM BOOKSHELF REMAINDER STOCK

THE STORY

and back issues will continue to be for sale after the closure 01 MM

Radio & RadioOperators by BirgittaGustafsson

This is a hardback book in Swedish with a companion Englishtranslation ofthe text. either in book formor on CD 1 needsMicrosoftWord). 1t traces the history of radio and radio operators illustratedwith 250 photographs and diagrams. 256 pages.See book review in1\11\187. page 20.Book & CD: £20.00 UK & Europe - £24.00 Rest of WorldBook & Book Translation: £25.00 UK 8; Europe- £32.00 - World

The Story of the Key by Louise Ramsey Moreau

01“ THE KEY This is The Best ofMM Vol. 1.1t is areprint ofa series ofatticles which appeared in MM6

VIBROPLEX{ladlcetor's (mile

18

- MMII. It covers the history ofthe telegraph key from 1837 - 19-11 and includes a list'- Er ofAmericantelegraphinstrumentmakers. 1837-1900. Softcover 77 photos/illustrations.

__'j 60 pages. 53,4 x 811 inches 1 14.5 x 21 cm).

£4.25 UK — £4.50 EU — £5.00 World

AmericanTelegraphy & Encyclopedia of the Telegraph by WilliamMaverJr.

Facsimile by Lindsay Publications of the 700 page illustrated 1912 encyclopedia15th Edition) but carries copyrights that go back to 1892. This is a classicencyclopedia oftelegraphy with 544 illustrations ofequipment. circuits. proceduresand installation methods. A must haye for collectors & historians. 6 x 9in ( 15.5 x

23.5 cm). Gold-blocked hardcover.£39.00 UK - £40.00 EU - £43.50 World

Vibroplex Collector‘s Guide by Tom French

This classic work on Vibroplex bug keys and their history is back in

print. It covers all the models from the 1902 “Autoplex” to the presentday and includes original design information and drawings. copies ofpatents. nameplates. serial numbers and decals. The book is rich in

drawings and photographs. Softcover. 126 pages. 81/2 x 10% ins (21.5 x27.5 cm).

£15.00 UK - £15.80 EU . £17.60 World

W89 — Marcfi 2004

-—-— Classics of Communication(English Edition) by Fons Vanden BerghenCLASSICS 0F

COMMUNICATlON A book of exceptional quality produced originally to accompany a BrusselsExhibition sponsored by a Brussels bank. Illustrated with 240 high qualityphotographs. 140 in colour. including many rare telegraph instruments. The textincludes the history and technology of electricity through to wireless and earlytelevision. but a large section of the book is devoted to telegraphy. Withoutsponsorship. a book of this size and quality could not have been economicallypossible for such a limited readership — 107 pages. 24.5cms x 29.5mm (9.7in xll.6in). £21.00 UK - £22.50 EU - £25.00 World

My Road to BletchleyPark by Doreen Spencer

This is a personal account of Doreen Spencer who was a WAAF Wireless Operator atBletchley Park during WWII. Her duties included reading ‘Morse Slip‘1papertape withmarks to represent dots and dashes which moved across a special typewriter and fromwhich the Morse was typed into text. Soft cover. 45 pages with 12 drawings andphotographs -128 pages. 15 cms x 21 cms (5.75 in x 8 in).£6.00 UK - £7.00 EU - £7.50 World

History,Theory& Practice of the ElectricTelegraph by George B, Prescott

This is a facsimile reprint of 1866 edition. Reproduced in 1973. there areminor storage discolourations on the hardback cover. 516 pages. 119illustrations. 5‘4 x 73.4 in.

013145;, our!nuRUTH}ti "1srziéfiit‘ , _militant

£14.50 UK - £15.50 EU - £17.50 World

RailroadTelegrapher’s Handbook by Tom French - 2 left

Old-timetelegraphyon the American railroads. Itcovers all ofthose subjectsthe operator had to know. and the duties heperformed. Softback. 60 pages.30 illustrations. 6% x 81.2 in.

£8.00 UK - £8.30 EU - £9.00 World

BARGAIN - there are 2 copies of the FIRST edition of Perera’s Telegraph Collector’s Guide by Tom PereraAn essential pocket—size reference guide for collector and historian. designed to fit in the pocket.

TO CLEAR - £3.00 UK - £4.00 EU - £5.00 World

SEND YOUR ORDER TO:Morsum Magnificat. The Poplar-s. Wistanswick. Market Dray‘ton. Shropshire TF9 ZBA. England

Credit card orders welcome by phone: +44 (0) 1630 638306 or Fax on +44 (0) 1630 638051or by cheque/bank draftdrawn on a London bank. Please makechequespayable to ‘Morsum Magnificat’film/[89 — Marcfi2004 19

A Hero at the TelegraphA Reminiscence of the Indian Mutiny

From Young England Annual, 1909, anIllustrated Magazine forContributed by David Prout, GSFEX.

Boys.

The courage of a soldier can beexhibited in other places than thebattlefield. as we all know. or ought toknow. Few soldiers have stuck to theirpost of duty in a better Spll‘it than theyoung telegraphist in the followingstory.

He died not long ago. an oldman. in Calcutta. with the grandrecollection that he had performed adeed which contributed greatly to savethe Indian Empire in the stressful daysof the Mutiny.

Line interruptedAt that time (1857) he was a

mere lad. employed as an assistant inthe telegraph service. His name was W.Brendish. and he sent. at the risk of hislife. a despatch from Delhi to Umballa.which bore the first news of theoutbreak.

This message. forthwithrepeated in every town which could bereached. proved of priceless value.Colonel Edward Vibart. in his ScpoyMutiny. tells the story of how. to quotethe Judicial Commissioner of thePunjab. “the electric telegraph savedIndia‘.

It was the custom to close thetelegraph offices on Sunday between

20

the hours of nine and four. On 10thMay. 1857. as the operator at Delhi wasabout to close his station. he received a

message from the Meerut officeannouncing an uprising in that section.At four o‘clock. when the office wasre—opened. connections with Meerutwere found to be interrupted.

Presumed murderedThe telegraph force at Delhi

consisted of the chief and two youngassistants. Brendish and Pilkington.The office was situated outside of thecity. about a mile from the gates.

On discovering the break in theconnections. the chief sent the two ladsto test the cable across the river. Theyfound they could signal to Delhi. butnot to Meelut. and reported the fact ontheir return. It was too late to doanything that night. but the nextmorning Mr Todd. the chief. went outhimself to investigate the line. He neverreturned. and although his fate isunknown. there is little doubt that hewas murdered.

The office was thus left in chargeof the two lads. Signs of trouble beganto be evident close at hand. Brendish.stepping from the door. met a woundedofficer. who cried out to him. “For God‘ 5

W89 - Marcfi 2004

sake, get inside and close your doors!‘

Saved the PunjabThe revolt crept closer and

closer. The boys felt that their liveswere in danger; soon they became sureof it. But before they fled to a place ofcomparative safety they waited to sendout to the Indian world the news of therevolt.

Brendish ticked out the messagewhich leads Sir Edward to say:‘Look at the courage and sense of thatlittle boy! With shot falling all roundhim, he stayed to manipulate themessage that was the means of savingthe Punjab..

It is satisfactory to know thatthe Govemment rewarded Brendish forhis services by giving him a life pension.

for

the need arise.

:s;3m:1Mame

“We;WfileVarsun1%

girders 0' fiaclfi issuesMorsum Mrynificat

‘Will Continue to 6e Avaifizfik

Tidy up your bookshelfwith these attractive binders

Coveredin a hard-wearing red grainedfinish. with the magazinetitleblocked in gold on the spine. each binder holds twelve issues (2 years)of the magazine. retained by strong wires, but easily removable should

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MM Back IssuesIssues Nos. 34, 35 and38—89are available fromthe Editorial offices (seeinside front cover).Price including postage£2.75 each to UK: £2.95to Europe: £3.25 (US $5)Rest of the World byairmail. Deduct 20% if

_ ordering 3 or more.

Mail’s: 1m

MM89 — Marcfi 2004 2]

indexfor Marsum Wifi'cat - issues 83 to 8.9

HEADING TITLEACTIVITIES/EVENTS

EUCW/FISTSQRS PartyHollandto lmpiement WRC-2003 AccordNew Fists Award - NANFYStation KPH - Nightof Nights |||Battleship George Averotfon AirBT AuctionGrimeton/SAQ 17kH2Key Construction CompetitionKPH/KFSReturnstoAirMarconiBustMarconi Newfoundland on LP

MuckleburghUpdateRSGB Morse AnniversawSAQ and KPH ReceptionTMSCW ActiveAgainWholeWorldQRP Game

AMATEURRADIOFoundation CW AwardInternational P‘namacistsHamGroupInternationalPhamacists HamGroupSpectrum AnalyserSoItwareThe CounterpoiseWGRO ProspersA Hero at the Telegraph - Indian MutinyTelegraph. 19th Century BritishArmy

CABLE & WIRELESSGBR Rugby Radio Closes

CIRCUITSAn Early loudspeaker. Kent 1890AnotherCW FilterBlockingoscillatorCircuitfornearly-sinusoidalwaveformSimplecomplementary-symmetryoscillatorThe K1 EL Chips

CLANDESTINE/SPECIAL OPERATIONSThe SecretWirelessWar

CLUBS & ORGANISATIONSHigh SpeedTelegraphy Club

COHERENTCWSurvey on CWThe Future of CWWomen Operators

COMPUTERSCode WeaverSol‘twareCWFonts forWordE-Mail in Morse Code

22

AUTHOR

NewsNewsNewsNewsNewsNewsDave LawrenceNewsNewsBernieWhiteNewsTonySmithNewsRobert A. LoupNewsNews

NewsNewsNewsDr G. BoldDr G. Bold

KathyStanfillDavidProutJohn Goldfinch

News

GeoffreyWalshDr G. BoldDr Gary BoldDr Gary BoldDr Gary BoldDr G. Bold

TonySmith

News

NewsNewsLetters

NewsNewsNews

ISSUE

84838483868586868685868585868585

8783848686848988

85

838984848489

87

84

848484

853384

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N—LbNm-b-

O

mofiCO—‘LD‘PVCD-b-

O

—L

Ji-

3310171917

MM89 - Marcfi 2004

Learningto Use the InternatMixW‘s operating screen,decoded30 wpmCQ

EARLY WIRELESSMarconiStation at WhitleyBayThe Coherer

HELIOGRAPH

INDEX

HeliographDemonstartionBritishArmy pattern Mk V

HeliographConstruction ProjectHeliographyWeb Site Updated

Index for MM Issues 83 - 89MM index Issues 77 - 82

INFO PLEASEBrass key stamp ATM Co Ltd & Atlantic CollageBritishBug KeyEdison Stock Ticker 1 -C

FoldingKeyFord Stock Ticker IO-BGPO Look-a-IikeInfo Please MM83 p.44ltalian Key. Aircraft,19305Key stampedH White 1918 and 5427 III

LettersDr Gary Bold

W.P.JonesTed Jones

NewsJohn AlcornJohn AlcornNews

.MMMM

ZygNilskiJohn FrancisF. Vanden BerghenGeorge EddowesF. Vanden BerghenJackBarkerLettersGeorge EddowsClive Maby

Key. mark 5820-AP164179 Key Morse Portable Chris BisaillionLeg strapkey. mark 6295895001 MCN547REVF Chris BisaillionMiniature Russian KeyMuirhead Recorder D-328-ARAF Bathtub KeyReverse Frame Bug KeyRussian KeymarkedSimplexMorse lampStockticker. by The Exchange Telegragh Co.Unmarked brass key. Mahogany baseWestern Electrical Key with letters OW

INSTRUMENTS, RESTORATIONMorse Key ConstructionPlug & Play Keys - LetterRepro Marconi KeysResurrection of an Australian Simplex KeyVibroplexBase

KEYS & INSTRUMENTSAdmiraltyMk III LampAeolian HarpAllen WestAdmiralty 9881An Indianinstrumentwith stringsAnotherSounderAnothertwin setfromGermany, makerunknownAP 7681 Key - LetterATM KeyAuctionof Marconi Side-lever KeyAustralian Telegraph Keys8 Instruments

MM89 — Mzrcfi 2004

George EddowesJohn ClappistoneHenri JacobJohn FrancisHenri HeraudWyn DaviesFons Vanden BerghenJackBarkerHenri Heraud

F. Vanden BerghenJimPhillipsonNewsPeterHolthamJim Phillipson

WynDaviesBruce TaylorHenriJacobGeof‘lrey WalshDr G. BoldWynDaviesAlex MeregalliKenJonesNewsRon McMullen

a483

8685

86848484

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8787

87838883

838885

89

4519

11

42

2223

333737363736

3632

433637

363336

4332

4643

as45

25374036

14

46

29

23

Automorse Keys John Alcorn 85 45Bathtub Key - Letter PeterJones 87 43Bathtub Key - Letter P. J. Smith 87 44Bathtub Key - Letter Flt Lt Vic Reynolds 88 46Bathtub Key Type F Various 86 42Bright’s Bells F. Vanden Berghen 88 FCBritish Early Needle Telegraph Torn Perera 86 24Bunnell KOB - Supplee Co MalcolmBrass 88 24Buzza Morse Code Apparatus No.2 Colin MacKinnon 83 12Canadian 629-5895-001 Key Chris Bisaillion 88 25Catalogue entry - GPO Key LeeGrant 86 BC

Clipsal Key John Alcorn 86 24Clipsal Key - Letter Ron McMulIen 87 44Coffee VerticalKey Russ Kleinman 87 24Combined ABC amd printingtelegraph Fons Vanden Berghen 84 FC

Early Camelback and Sounder Tom Perera 86 25Edison‘s loudspeaker(illustrated LondonNews) London News 83 34European Camelback Key F. Vanden Berghen 89 FC

German ElectricMorseApparattwin practice set WynDavies 83 14

German Spy Sender Greg Ulsamer 86 25GPO MK ”I Double Current Lee Grant 86 FCH. White 5427 Olive Redtern 85 38H. White 5427 Lee Grant 85 38Heathkit model CO-1 . fromunitmanual Chris Bisaillion 83 15Heathkit model HD-t 41 6 Chris Bisaillion 83 16

Heathkitmodel HD-1 6. from unitmanual Chris Bisaillion 83 16

Hether Siganl Lamp by Francis WynDavies 88 24Incomplete militaryset byE. Ducretet Gustavo A. Colt 84 22Interested in StockTickers’? Eugene Hertz 86 45Italian Key George Eddows 85 24Italian Key MM85 - Letter John Elwood 88 46ItalianMarine Key - WWII WynDavies 88 4OIvalekMorse Transmitter No. 559 JackBarker 83 13

JRC Bug Key Heisuke Kimura 87 25JRC Key. MM88 - Correction MM 89 46JRC Pump Keys Heisuke Kimura 88 25Key Adjusters Gerald Stancey 86 44KOBCamelback Key Dave Pennes 85 25Les Logan T-bar Speedex bug key. Model 501 John Francis 83 FC

MM82 Info Please Ken Jones 85 41

MM84 H. White Key F. Vanden Berghen 86 46MM85 Italian Key E. F. Jones 86 45Morse Tapper Set. maker unknown JackBarker 83 13

Norwegian Lemkuhl Spark Key Tom Perera 87 FCPS 213A Key - Letter Brian Payne 87 43PS 213A Key - Letter WynDavies 88 45PS 213A Key -Letter KenJones 88 45PS 312A WynDavies 85 25Raymart Speed Key - MM82 Letters 84 42Remains of a Key (8 Sounder) On Base Gustavo A. Coll 84 23Russian Minature Key - Letter WynDavies 88 44SafetyJack John Elwood 85 24Scott Base Xmas presentwith aluminiumdisc Dr Gary Bold 83 22

MM89 - Marcfi2004

Scott BaseXmas present. Sends 12 wpmStockticker MM83 p.44Submarine telegraphy siphon recorderSullivan Mirror Gaivanameter minus brass lidSwedish keyfrom shipwreckThe AutoMorse KeyThe Melehan VaIientThe Melehan Valient - Top ViewThe Pendograph & AutomorseThe Simplex AutoThe Telegraph SounderTicker Keyboard 3-ATillotsonLegged CamelbackTurkish Land Line KeyVibroplexScratchy DotsWestern Electric 1A KeyWestern ElectricKeysWig-Wags Bug-Senders and Typewriters

KEYS & KEYERSMcEIroyP-500 Bug Key

LEARNINGMORSEBernard’s Method of Learning CodeGermany Moves to Kepp Code TestsMakingMorse MIDI FilesMorse Practice Nets - Antanic Memories - QRL’?Morse Practice Sets - Part 2Morse with MP3FilesTASRT PurchaseRevisedTeaching Morse

LINETELEGRAPHYSir Francis Rolands Electrical TelegraphyThe Batteries of Telegraphy

MISCELLANEOUS599 in MaltaAfricanTelegraphsCableWagonsDot-Dash JewelleryHam Band CDHow Does a CohererWork?Inappropriate Telephone JingleInappropriate TeiephoneJingleInappropriate TelepnoneJinglesJohnny Cash, CWHamLearning 0 Codes - PoemMorse FontsNewRadio Room ClockOurWireless HeritagePublicityfor Key CollectionQueen’s Speechby TelegraphRCA Morse Key Tie ClipTelegraph Treasures in FilmThe Oh. What a Pity ShowcaseThe Baghdad Battery

W89 — Mzrcfi 2004

Dr Gary BoldLettersGustavo A. CollGustavo A. CollLee GrantDr G. BoldDr Gary BoldDr Gary BoldRonMcMulIenRonMcMulIenDr G. BoldF. Vanden BerghenJohn FrancisTom PereraJohn McGintyTed PhelpsBrice WightmanJohn Packer

John Francis

WynDaviesNewsDr G. BoldDr Gary BoldTonySmithDr G. BoldNewsDr G. Bold

Dr. E G, WalshDrG. Bold

Rolfvon AllmenLettersGeoffreyWalshJohn McGintyNewsLettersLettersVariousChris Mortimer-letterDr G. BoldLee GrantDr G. BoldNewsKenJonesNewsDavid LaneChris BisaillionNewsGustavo A. CollDr G. Bold

83848484898784848888

88878885

8584

21

2321

33121314193141

2441

40

41

FC

IBC

1712

3114

46

34

43

404613281 1

39

3512

2115

25’

The Lay of the Last SignalmanWhispersfromthe Past

MORSECODEA Morse @ SymbolCounting in FivesEvolutionofthe International Morse Code - II

Evolutionof the International Morse Code-IHowa Bug Key WorksMessagesMusic and Morse - Part 2 -

Messages.Musicand MorseMorse Code for @Morse Reading ProgramNotes on Sending & Receiving MorseOld-timeMorse SpeedsReminiscences Getting upto Speed

MORSE EPHEMERAAdvert - Code Practice Oscillator Kit - WT 8 AmpAdvertisement 1 938. toy telegraph setAdvertisementfor Stevens PictureSignallingInstructorAdvertisementforthe IndependentWireless Telegraph Co.Advertisment of Manhattan ElectricalSupply CoCover of a French Morse recordsDiagram Baudét table of coding and keyboardFDC Darwin to AdelaideManual for Martin VibroplexMarconi 1913 Telegraph ServiceMorse Code TieMorse Head ScarfMorse Post CardOld Telegraph Office

Pic. House's PrintingTelegraph

Supplied by Wyn DaviesFred Alder

Dr G. BoldDr G. BoldTonySmithTonySmithNewsGeoffreyWalshLettersNewsDr G. BoldDr. E. G. WalshDr G. BoldDr Gary Bold

Chris BisaillionAlan Birt

WynDavies

John FrancisGeoffreyWalshMM

GeoffreyWalsh

John Elwood

NewsChris BisaillionF.Vanden BerghenLettersGeoffreyWalsh

Pic. Hughes equipmentof 1855. Figureuier1866 GeoffreyWalshPic. Laterversion of Hughes instrumentPostcard dated 1 91 0, WisconsinRCA Tie Clip - LetterWestern Union ShareCertificate

MUSEUMSMarconiArchives ClosedMorse at MucklebulebutghTitanic radio Plaque

NO-CODECONTROVERSYFCC Consultation on MorseWRC 2003 Ends Morse

OBITUARIESBill PierpontWilIiamG,Pierpont

OPERATING SKILLSHow Fast is Fast

OPERATING,GENERALBest CWAudio Frequency?E-maiIs in Morse Code

GeoffreyWalshMM

Chris Bisaillion

NewsNewsNews

NewsNews

ChristopherJonesTonySmith

DrG. Bold

Dr G. Bold

News

8983

88

8787868783848889898784

8384

8585

85

8885

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40

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57

fMfiW89 - Mzrcfi 2004

HelplorFirstQSO DrG. Bold 86 21lambicAorBtype? DrG. Bold 87 26lambic Keying Dr G. Bold 85 26JPSAudioFilter Dr G. Bold 85 27Morse PaddlesKeyed With Fingers? Dr G. Bold 88 8Swapping the Paddle Hand Dr G. Bold 89 8Triambic Keying Dr G. Bold 87 28VLF UK to Alaska News 85 6Which Paddle Keysthe Dit Dr G. Bold 86 19

OPTICALTELEGRAPHSignaller’sCamps Dr E. G. Walsh 86 12

POLAREXPLORATIONRAEM/mmIs myCallsign Mike Hewitt 88 26

POST OFFICE1889 Xmas Card from Melbourne Telegragh Dep PeterNelson/Ted Jones 83 BC

RAILWAYSTrains. Times & Telegraphs Dr E. G. Walsh 85 14Trains, Times & Telegraphs - Letter NevilleCopeland 86 45

REVIEWS, BOOKSLife of an R/O News 86 9New Biography of SFB Morse News 88 2Radio and Radio Operators BirgittaGustafsson 87 20Sparks What’s Going On - Book News 87 5

SATELLITESRussian CosmonautKey ApostilosBourousis 89 21

SHOWCASE1915 Telegraph. Vibrating by ATM Co Ltd MalcolmBrass 83 284ohm KOM. National ElectricalManufacturing Dave Pennes 84 25Admaston Morse Practice SetfromJapan JackBarker 83 28Bakelite key by SEL of Potters Bar JackBarker 84 25Canadian Dow Key John Francis 84 24Probably Siemens&Halske keyOriginal lacquer Fons Vanden Berghen 83 27Remote Control Unit ‘L’ MK li usedwith 62/012 WynDavies 83 27Two-channel register by JH. Bunnel Fons Vanden Berghen 84 24

SUBMARINETELEGRAPHYMessagefrom Queen Elizabeth H MM 83 11

Message received via Porthcutnotrom Southport MM 83 10PacificSubmarine Cable Centenary Celebrations MM 83 8Pic. - The cable brought ashoreat Southport MM 83 9Porthcurno messagesentin Morse priorQueensMM 83 1O

The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy by William G. Pierpont, NQHFFA comprehensive manual for learning. using. mastering. improving and enjoying International Morse Code.Pub.Radio Amateur Educational Society (RAES) of Canada,236 pp, 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.5 cm) with coilbinding. GIANTPRINTversion - 7 x 11 inch. two column, SHIPPEDAIRMAIL FROM CANADA

$25.00 USD USA 836.00 CDN Canadian Delivery $16.00 USD USA 826.00 CDN Canada$33.00 USDWorld £22.00 GBP UK $19.50 USDWorld £13.40 GBP UK

Send orders to: Radio Amateur Educational Society. 8607 - 34AAvenue. Edmonton. Alberta. Canada- T6KOBQ. E-mail: orders@ raes.ab.ca Please be sure to include your return mailingaddress. Please encloseacheque. money order or IRC in the correct amount payable to the Radio Amateur Educational Society or(RAES). COD orders will not be accepted.You may also use PayPal- URL http://wwwpaypalcom/using thefollowingaccount: orders @raesabca

Mil/[89 ~ Marcfi 2004 27

Learning 0 Codes (Submitted by Lee Grant)

P/O Prune went into townOf Beer he had his fillSo when they asked him QBA ?He sadly answered "Nil"

His comrades sat him at the bar;"Now QAH“ they said,But ere he got a QFE.He climbed a bit instead.

He stood and shouted “QGVAnd QTH precarious",Then QFO'd upon the floor,His language mixed and various

Oh QFR" Pmne said,I guess! QGH‘d too fast.

He then turned to the barmaidSaying “QDR, my Dear?”She answered rather snappilyThat “QFT's right here I"

The QTR is “time" at last.SO QAA at mess?“You seem to me. Pmne. almost tight:So QAK unless"

“You wish to QAI in jugAnd be a most peculiar mug.So set your QDM for home;Allow for drift and do not roam

From Tee Emm Sept 1941, an officialRAFpuineation that wasfnll ofuseful,

Control — I‘m in a ruddy mess! interesting.amusing anecdotes,A QGX please! Blast !" comments and reminders.

Q Code Reminder

QUESTION / INFORMATION

QAA - What is your estimated time of arrival / My ETA is...QAH - What is your height? / My height is..QAI — What is the essential air traffic? / The essential air traffic is..QAK - Is there any risk of collision?/ There is a risk of collision...QBA - What is the 1101izontal visibility at...? / The hon‘zontal Visibility is...QDM — Will you indicate the magnetic heading..? / The magnetic heading is...QDR - What is my magnetic bearing? / Your magnetic bearing is...QFE — At (place) what is atmospheric pressure? / The atmospheric pressure is...QFO - May I land immediately? / You may land immediately.QFT - Has ice been observed at (height/place)? / Ice observed at...QGV — Can you see me? /I see you at...QGX - May 1 land using...(type of approach)? / I will land using...(approach)QTH - What is your position?/ My position is...QTR - What is the con‘ect time? / The correct time is...

28 MM89 - {Maren 2004

HEFIRST TELEGRAPH LINE inAustralia was opened in 1854between Melbourne and

Williamstown, Victoria. The telegraphquickly spread to all states and prior toFederation in 1901 each state wasresponsible for its own telegraph systemand equipment was obtained fromoverseas countries, mainly England andthe United States. Hence the variety ofequipment now found.

After Federation theCommonwealth Government took overresponsibility for Postal and Telegraphservices and much of the equipmentwas obtained locally. Indeed a lot wasmade in the Postmaster—General‘sDepartment‘s workshops.

Morse code and the telegraphcontinued as the main means ofcommunication

Australian TelegraphKeys and

Instruments

by HonMcMulIen

General‘s Department) key.This was originally made of all

brass fittings, gutta-percha knobs anda wooden base. In the 19305 the woodenbase and knob were replaced withBakelite and the fittings made of steel.Both came in a 2 terminal model, withcircuit closers for closed circuitworking and 3 terminal models. withoutcircuit closers for open circuit working.They were particularly well made and

until it was phasedout during the1960‘s with the lasttelegram being sentby Morse betweenRoebourne andWittenoon Gorge,Western Australiain 1968.

PMG DepartmentPride of

place in Australiankeys must go to thewell-known ‘PMG’(Postmaster-MM89 — March 2004

PMG2 terminal brass wooden key

29

\

Postal Workshops modified WTBAMP key

could take plenty of ‘pounding’.After the second World War

the Postal Workshops Melbourneconverted WTSAMP keys by

mounting the key on thestandard sized PMGbakelite base, replacingthe arm with a longerone, and adding a circuitcloser. TheDepartment also madeits own relays, sounders,resonator boxes, lineswitches, switchboardsand other testingequipment.

The PMGDepartment made aportable telegraph setfor use at sportingevents and locationswhere temporaryfacilities were required.It was a very wellconstructed dovetailedwooden box containingnormal issue key,sounder and relay.

PMG Portable set (closed box)

50

PMG Portable set (front open)

M91489 — Marcfi 2004

Top-left. PMGPortable set (ready for use).Top-right. Ear/yPMGswitch.Right. PMGMill/amp meter.Bottom. Drop indicator,

W89 — ercfi 2004 31

New South Wales RailwaysThe New South Wales

Government Railways made their ownkeys at their Eveleigh Workshops,Sydney. They were almost an exactcopy of the PMG straight key with theexceptions that the backstopadjustment screw carried a cross bar

LevensonLevenson’s was a well-known

Radio Shop located at 226 Pitt StreetSydney up to the 1950s. Theymanufactured a range of ‘Like-A-Flash‘ Morse code keys and sets. Theymade three basic straight keys — theNo.1 with long or shon arms and plated

fittings mounted ona bakelite mouldedbase, 334” x 23/4" x1/2" and in 1941priced at 12/6.Their No.2 key wasdescribed as a "PMGtype" with platedfittings mounted ona wooden base, 43/4”

x 3" x 15/16" andpriced at 19s-6d.These keys wouldnot have been usedby the PMGDepartment.

NSWGFi brass wooden key withoutcircuit closer

and the side screw to tighten the backstop adjustment screw was of the‘butterfly' type.

The thirdkey was described asa "Junior De Luxe"

key with chromed fittings on a wooden

They were made withcircuit closers andsome minus thecircuit closer with aplastic plug in placeof the securing bolt.Sydney Tramwaysalso used Morsecode and as theywere StateGovernment ownedperhaps railwaykeys were used there.

32

Levenson No.1 key - steel Bakelite

MMb’Q — Marc/i 2004

Left. Levenson semi-automatic key

Levenson No (A De Luxe key

base and again in 1941 priced at 7/11.Levenson's also produced a

“PMG” type sounder priced at 35/—. Allkeys were marketed in a Variety ofcombinations with buzzers, sounders,oscillators. lamps. batteries etc.

During World War 2,Levenson‘s made a semi automatic‘jigger‘ very similar to and based onthe Vibroplex J36. no doubt underlicence to Vibroplex for use by alliedforces during the Pacific war.MM89 ~ Marcfi 2004

Levenson No.2 key

Buzza ProductsBuzza Products, Sydney made

a variety of keys from simple learnerssets to a very good semi automatic key.

Various components such asbuzzers oscillators etc. were made andthese found their way into manydifferent set arrangements. Their brasskey was something similar to the PMGbrass key, but without a circuit closerand a couple of other minor parts. Theywere not particularly well made.

33

Buzza Practice sets

Buzza brass wooden key

Dining World War 2 a Bunnell‘triumph’ type key was made with"Buzza Products Sydney” embossedon the tulnion section. Possibly thesewere made for US forces in Australia aswas the J36.

The Buzza 100 came in a singlelever and double lever style with a ‘T’

34

damper post and also a single leverstyle with a ‘bridge’ damper stylesimilar to the Lightning and theLevenson.

Given the similarity betweenthe Levenson, 136 and Buzza 100, itseems likely there was a connectionbetween Levenson and Buzza.

MM89 ~ .‘Marcfi 2004

Left: Double leverBuzza 100

Below: Single leverBuzza 100

Below:Buzza practice set

The J36 was madefor the US Signal Corp duringWorld War 2. It is likely theywere made by BuzzaProducts, Sydney as theyappear to be exactly the sameas the single lever Buzza 100.The label, which is similar indesign and layout to theBuzza 100 reads ‘J36Automatic Key Signal C011)USA made in Australia‘1*”

MM89 — March 2004 55

A WA H6883 key

A W AAW A (AmalgamatedWireless

Australasia) made a valiety of keys forthe Defence Forces before and duringWorld War 2. Possibly the mostcommon is the WTSAMP key, and thiswas included in radio sets in a variety

of configurations. The R688B wasmade in two models. The onlydifference was their labels and theheight of the fulcrum and contactmounts. The key pictured is the higherversion.

A similar key to the A W AR688B was made by CinemaEngineering P/L. The labelread "Type Like R688BManipulating Key "CinemaEngineering Pty Ltd". Theknob was embossed 2018 A2—

14.

BathtubBathtub keys were

made by both RadioCorporation and its subsidiaryEclipse Radio. They wereblack and can be identified bythe lOA/ lettering prefix andthe absence of a number on

A WA Key Telegraph (Aust) No.1 Mk2 the inside of the lower section.

MM89 - Marcfi2004

Doodle BugMany practice

sets were made over theyears and one which waspopular with boy scoutswas the Doodle Bug.

SimplexThe best-known

semi automatic key wasAustralian Bathtub key

The ClipsalClipsal keys were made by

Gerard Industries. Park Terrace,Bowden, South Australia for theDefence forces during World War 2and manufacture continued after thewar when they became popular keysfor amateur radio operators. Clipsalswere made in two and three terminalmodels and the firm also madeWT8AMP keys. They are oftenincorrectly referred to as PMG keys.They did not have Circuit closers andthe tenninals were on the opposite side.A few however wereused on PMG radio

the Simplex Auto. Thiswas invented in the early

19205 and continued through to the19505 with the same basic design. Itwas made at various times in left handversions and also as a fully automatickey. The Simplex Auto has been dealtwith in detail in a separate article (SeeMM88).

PendographAlbert MacDonald obtained a

patent for his Pendograph semiautomatic keys in 1908 and they werequite popular with Australiantelegraphists. Three models were

circuits.

Blue PointBlue Point

keys were popularwith amateur radiooperators as learnerkeys in the 19503.They were made inseveral differentconfigurationsusing the learner Lg

key and the morerefined key.MM89 — Marcfi 2004

Clipsal 3 terminal key.

.37

Blue Point XIOlearners key

Blue P0/ntXX20

Above: Blue Point XX20ALeft: Blue Point XXZOB

38 EMM89 - Marcfi 2004

Doodle Bug box

Doodle Bug practice set

imam:LEO G

Simplex Auto first model

Simplex Auto fullyautomatic model

W89 — Marcfi2004 .39

competition from the widelyaccepted Simplex Auto andPendograph. Little is knownabout their designers or thehistory of the keys.

ShurdotThe label reads

“Shurdot” Morse Key madeby J. Scash 10 Randell StMordialloc. Mordialloc islocated in Victoria.

1 st model Pendograph

produced - two right anglemodels and one ‘in-line‘model. These have beenextensively covered in aseparate article (see MM88).

AutomorseThe first fully

automatic key made inAustralia was the Automorsewhich was invented by an

Secondmodel Pendograph'

Adelaide TelegraphistNorman Percy Thomas in1918. It is distinctive by its‘T‘ shaped upper frame.Again this key has been fullycovered in another article(see MM88).

Other Semi AutomaticsSeveral semi

automatic keys were madeby individuals and only avery small number wereproduced, possibly becauseof production costs and

40Third model Pendograph

MM89 — Marcfi2004

Automorse

Shurdot

Autop/ex

W89 — MITCH 2004 41

Ingram C.T.O.P e r t h ‘

,below. Anothersemi automatickey was made byIngram, but I haveno informationon this.

PiergraphT h e

Codemaster by BMR

AutoplexThe Autoplex was made in

Victoria, the label reading "J. Vaile BF8147 AUTOPLEX Leslie Cit BurwoodVic”. Presumably BF 8147 is thetelephone number as they would havebeen designated in the 19505.

CodemasterThe Codemaster was made by

BMR. Sydney and was similar to theSimplex Auto, but with the bridgesupponed by four posts. It can‘ied acircuit closer fixed under the frameand as well as the ’Codemaster’ labelon the blidge, a second label reading“B.M.R. Products 69 Pacific HighwayWaitara Serial No. xxx” was attachedbeneath the base. Waitara is a Sydneysuburb.

Ingram 'Master Key'Another Perth Telegraphist

who made a semi automatic key was H.C. Ingram who named his key "MasterKey". The label has MASTER KEYbetween two diagonal lines with‘Manufactured by‘ above and ‘H. C.

42

Piergraph semiautomatic keywas made by

Robley and Tough. two telegraphistsin the C.T.O., Perthwho set up a machine

H. C. Ingram

91191489 - Marcfl 2004

Piergraph - End View.

L. A. ParuscioL. A. Paruscio (Lou) was a

Telegraphist in the Melbourne C.T.O.and made a small number of semiautomatic keys very similar to the

-. Vibroplex Original with the ‘swingingPiergraph - Top View. damper'.

shop in Pier Street, Perth. Western UnknownAustralia in the 19205. The label of the A semi automatic key with thekey pictured reads ‘Piergraph No.2'. It same basic design as the Simplex Auto,is not known if there was a NO. I but with a much smaller bridge, wasPiergraph. made in Australia. I have no details of

L. A. Paruscio

{WM/[89 — Marcfi2004 43

Left: Semi-automatickey- unknownmake.

Below: DaylightSignalling Set.

its name or its maker.

Other Telegraph EquipmentSeveral organisations, PMG,

A W A, STC (Standard Telephones andCables) and Stromberg Carlsonmanufactured a variety of training,operational and field sets around theWorld War 2 period. MM

Fuller Phone Mk IV.

44 MM89 - Marcfi2004

Wireless RemoteControl Unit A

WT8AMP No 2

ill/[M89 — Marcfi2004

YA1860

Telephone Set D Mk V

45

yourLettersRCA Tie Clip Article

I picked up another tie clip that appearsto be a copy of the RCA tie clip. As youcan see it is a flatter construction withengraved and paint-filled lines to givethe depth perception. I now have Morsekey tie clips for narrow and wide ties!

It is marked ‘MTC' and BillDunbar. a past President informs methat it was issued by the MorseTelegraph Club during the period 1973- 1984.L when Cecil Combs was Presidentand A.J. Long was Secretary—Treasurer.

The one Bill owns does nothave an open key base but has ablack matt finish, so there must havebeen at least two production runs.

Chris Bisaillion, VE3CBKOntario, Canada

46

Correction JRC Key MM88P25

The J.R.C. KY-3 Key uses JapaneseIndustrial Standard (JIS) threads andthe KY-3A Key uses InternationalOrganization for Standardization (ISO)threads.Apologies to Heisuke Kimurafor theerror.

Ed.

MM88 P40 Naval Key

In the l960s I used to visit Companyin Brighton called Allen West Co.

Ltd. At thattime they madecontrol gearfor inductionand starters.Thetechnology ofthese productsis very similarto making akey of thistype. Thiscould possiblybe the sanrecompany.

W. J. OmerSlough, UK

WWI/[89 — Wfarcfi 2004

KWMReaders advertisements are free to MMsubscribers. The numberof insertions should bespecified. otherwise it will be assumed that it isrequired in the next issue only. Non-subscribersare welcome to advertise in the Classified Adssection. Please contact MM for styles availableand rates.Ads can include one photo free of charge

FOR SALE & WANTED

WANTED: RCA Morse Key Tie Clipas described on page 12 of MM88.John Davies. G4ETQ. 12 St John‘sClose. Claines. Worcester. WR3 7PT.UK. E-mail: g4etq@btinternet.com

THE MM Q & Z CODEBOOK, a com-prehensive 82-page list of the Q-codesand Z-codes. including a one-page listof the original Q-codes of 1912. Avail-able from Dick Kraayveld PA3ALM.Merellaan 209. 3145 EH Maassluis.Holland. Price £5 UK, or US$10.00outside UK. including postage in bothcases. Payment accepted in cash only.

FOR SALE: FULL SET of MorsumMagnificat. Nos 1 - 89. Absolutely mintcondition. Phone +44 (0)2870 848815.

\VANTED: “A Handbook of PracticalTelegraphy" by R S Culley.Ron McMullen: email:ronmcm@iprimuscomau.

TEXTBOOKWANTED: Handbook ofTechnical Instruction for WirelessTelegraphists. seventh edition (1942 -44) edition by Dowsett and Williams(Iliffe). A good price is offered. pluspostage costs. David Smith, ZL2BBB.WIM89 — Marcfi 2004

WANTED: I am interested in(somewhat special) telegraphyapparatus. Swap or buy. Thanks! FonsVanden Berghen. Lenniksesteenweg462/22. B-1500 HALLE, Belgium.E-mail:fons.vandenberghen@pandora.bewww.faradic.net/~gsraven/f0ns_images/fons_museum.htmlI HAVE much telegraph surplusincluding NOS 19505 US NavyFlameproofs - CMI & CJB 26003A —

$65 including USA mail: slightly higherelsewhere. Also includes copy of key'sllpage milspec. Dr. Joe Jacobs. 5Yorktown Place. Northport. NY—11768. U.S.A. Phone +1-631-261-1576: Fax +1-754-4616. E-mail:joekey@aol.comFOR SALE NSW BOOK:“Radiotelegraph and RadiotelephoneCodes. Prowords and Abbreviations"3rd Edition (236 pages). 610 gm (1.5lbs). now available. Probably theWorld‘s best compilation of this infonow available. Q.X.Z Codes. 142Phonetics. 2—1 Morse. 8 Needle codes.Myer. Phillips. 10. 11. 12. 13 and othercodes. Much other info. abbreviations.procedures and methods. Price AU$25+ p&p. (in Australia $7.50) Internet:httn://w\vw.sarc.org.au/sarc1/phonetichtm John Alcorn. VKZJWA.QTHR. Phone +61 - 02-66215217vk2jwa@sarc.org.auI AM A KEY COLLECTORwith over300 different keys frotn 20 countries andhave 50 keys available for swapping.Write to Henri Heraud. F6AOU 9Avenue de Bellevue. 91130 RISORANGIS, FRANCE.

47

KWMFASZINATIONMORSETASTEN -German Telegraph Keys Collector‘sGuide, 180 p., 400 photos 8; diagrams.250 key designs from more than 100manufacturers in German speakingcountries. ~25.00 plus ~4.10 postageand packing. Greg Ulsamer. LogumerStr. 66. D-26723 Emden. Germany. E-mail: dllbfe@emsnet.de”

TELEGRAMSFOR SALE from 1901to 1955. A number of them are withadvertisements and some oncommemorative forms. Ranjit Singh,AN-18-c Shalimar Bagh, Delhi-110088, India. E-mail:singh_ranjit70@hotmail.comwww.indiatelecards.net

\VANTED: Early paddles such as theNikey, Autronic, Ham-key HKl & HK2.Ray Bullock, 40 Little Harlescott Lane,Shrewsbury SYl 3PY,England. Tel: +44(0) 1743 245896.

WANTED TO BUY: GPO Type 56key and Marconi side—leverMorse keywith brass hardware on a wooden base.Letters to: D. Johnson, W5FZ. 15514Ensenada Drive, Houston, TX 77083-5008. USA. Or Email: w5fz@a1rl.net

WANTED TO BUY: Telegraphic CodeBooks. as used to reduce the costs oftelegrams by replacing common phraseswith codewords. Would be interestedin both originals or photocopies. I am a

48

hobbyist in Cryptography and amfacinated in different ways data is andhas been represented for differentpurposes (e.g. speed. economy,confidentiality etc.) Also interested inrelated items. Letters to Mark Darling,132 Knowlands. Highworth. SN6 7NE.United Kingdom or e-mail:darling@patro].i-way.co.uk

WANTED: Back issues of MorsumMagnificat. Volumes 1 thin 23, 25, 27,28 and 30 are needed. Please contactDennis P. Skea, KC2CCZ, 25 ArgentDrive. Poughkeepsie. New York 12603.USA. +1 (845) 298 - 0951E-mail: KC2CCZ@a1rl.net

EXCHANGE: I have MM magazines.issues 36—80inc(45mags)to exchange fora Vibroplex double—paddle. Can collect/deliver in UK. Phone Keith +44 (0)7946-663109.

FOR SALE: Morsum Magnificat nos6.9-“. 13—54. 56. 58. 60-76. 65 copies£125 o.n.o. including postage andpacking. Geoff Newland. 32 The Grove,Winscombe. North Somerset BS25 lJH.Telephone (mobile) 07802 786564. E—

mail: MM@GeoffNe\vland.co.uk

FOR SALE: MM issues 41 — 83complete as new. Offers for the lot.Heathkit Electronic Keyer Model HD1410 unmarked with manual. offers.plus carriage. E. H. Trowell G2HKU,'Hamlyn’, Saxon Avenue, Minster,Sheerness, Kent. ME12 2RP, UK.Telephone 01795 873100.

MM89 — MUCH2004

THE LAY OFTHE LAST SIGNALMAN

On a thickly wooded sponson where the last projector standsThe museum pair of hand flags hanging idly in my handsWith my jargon half forgotten of my stock in trade bereft

I wonder what‘s ahead of me, the only bunting left.

The relics of my ancient craft have vanished one by oneThe cruiser arc the Morse flag and manoeuvring lights have gone

And I hear they’d be as useless in the final global warAs the helio the foghom and the masthead semaphore.

The mast is sprouting gadgets like a nightmare Christmas treeWith whips and stubs and waveguards where my halyards used to be

And i couldn‘t hoist a tack-line through that lunatic arrayFor at every height and angle there's a dipole in the way.

The alert and hawk-eyed Signalman is rendered obsoleteBy the electronically operated Optics of the Fleet

And the leaping barracuda or the charging submarinesCan be sighted as a blob upon a brown florescent screen.

To delete the human error, to erase a noble breedWe rely upon a relay and we pin our faith in Creed

So we press a button, make a switch and spin a little wheelAnd it’s 100% efficient — if we‘re on an even keel.

But again I may be needed, for the time will surely comeWhen we have to talk in silence and the modem stuff is dumbWhen the signal lamps are flashing or the flags are flying freeIt was good enough for Nelson, and it‘s good enough for me.

Issued from various sources - this one taken from the Communicatormagazine. Contributed by Wyn Davies.

lub - The international Morse Preservation STcietyFISTS exists to promote amateur CW activity. it welcomes members with alllevels of Morse proficiency. and especially newcomers to the key.

The club has awards. nets (including a beginners’ net), dial-a-sked lorbeginners, straight key activities. QSL bureau. newsletter, and discounts fromtraders.

Further inlonnation can be obtained from Geo. Longden 63205, 119Century Road, Damn. Lanes 883 2L1 Send an 5.3.9. or two lFtCs.

INDEPENDENTV IRELESSTELEGRAPH CO. INC.

42, BROADWAY, NEW YORK, N.Y.

OUR NEW YORK RADIO STATION WSEOperators will secure prompt and effluent Scmce by

routing via WSE

STATION RATE Io CENTS PER WORD.

LAND-LINE RATES :

Alabama .. $.07 Louisiana ........ $.07 Ohio . . $.05Alaska .............. .43 Maine . .......... .05 Oklahonu or;Alberta VVVVV .It AVAIIlllfCtbfi.... 09 Ontario 00Arizona. .11 Maryland """""" ‘04 Oregon ....... .11

‘ Massachusetts... .04 . . .Arkanzas .. .07 Michigan ...... .. .06 Phllddi‘lpllld 03British Col ......... .11 Minnésot'u _______ 07 Pennsylvania .04California............ .11 Mississippi . .07 Prince Edw. 13. .08Colorado .0.) Missouri .......... 0-; Quebec............... .06Count-cticut... .03 Montana . .09 Rhode Island .04Delaware. .. .04 Nebraska .......... .07 Saskatchewan... .11District of Col... .04 Nevada ............ I! SouthCarolina.... .07Florida. (except New Brunswick .06 South Dakota... .09Key \Vcst) .07 Ncwfoundlaud .13. Tennessee ...... .06

KeyWest, Fla. .. .11 New Hampshire .04 Texas .09Georgia ..... . .07 New Jersey... . .03 Utah ...... . . .09Idaho . ,. .1: New Mex1co. .09 Vermont .04Illinois ........ .06 New York City .03 Virginia . 05Indiana ........... .06 Brooklyn. .. .03 \Vasliington . .11Iowa .07 New York State .04 “"est \‘1rgiiim.. .05Kansas .07 North Carolina 06 Wisconsin 07Kentucky .05 North Dakota .. 09 Wyoming ........ .ogiLabrador .13 Nova Scotia.. 06 Yukon . . .53

WIRELESS INSTALLATIONSand MAINTENANCE

SERVICE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

WRITE 0R WIRE FOR OUR PROPOSITION.

LONDON OFFICES-“f, HOBART PLACE, VICTORIA, S.\\‘.1.

Early20th century advertisement for the Independent Wireless Telegraph Co. Inc.including landllne rates fromNew York. Contributed by John Francis, 63L WI.