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Old Keyers (was: FT 8)

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Chuck Guenther

Old Keyers (was: FT 8)

I used a HA-1 keyer during the early 1960's. However, it was not the
first successful commercial electronic keyer!

It was my third keyer. My first keyer was the "Mon Key," which did not
have self-completing code elements, and my second was a Eldico, which
was self-completing. Both these earlier keyers had built in paddles.

73, Chuck NI0C

On 3/03/2018, Kent Trimble wrote:

I did a Show-N-Tell with our club’s CW class last Saturday using my
46-year old Hallicrafters T.O. Keyer so they could operate the first
successful commercial electronic keyer, and to underscore how viable
vintage tube gear still can be."

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Dave Sublette-2

Re: Old Keyers (was: FT 8)

When I was a teenager, 61 years ago, I saw a U.S. Navy manual with a photo
of a Mon-Key. It was a WWII era manual. At the top and botomof the pare
was printed "Confidential". Evidently the keyer was important enough to
warrant being classified hardware.

I had a teen buddy who had one and we used it to work SS in 1958.

73,

Dave, K4TO

On Tue, Mar 6, 2018 at 3:40 PM, Chuck Guenther <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I used a HA-1 keyer during the early 1960's. However, it was not the
> first successful commercial electronic keyer!
>
> It was my third keyer. My first keyer was the "Mon Key," which did not
> have self-completing code elements, and my second was a Eldico, which was
> self-completing. Both these earlier keyers had built in paddles.
>
> 73, Chuck NI0C
>
>
> On 3/03/2018, Kent Trimble wrote:
>
> I did a Show-N-Tell with our club’s CW class last Saturday using my
> 46-year old Hallicrafters T.O. Keyer so they could operate the first
> successful commercial electronic keyer, and to underscore how viable
> vintage tube gear still can be."
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Bill Clarke

Re: Old Keyers (was: FT 8)

I purchased a TO Keyer and a Vibroplex paddle from Allied Radio, in
1966. What an advancement from a straight key! Both are long gone now -
compliments of Uncle Sam and too many moves.

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Carl Yaffey

Re: Old Keyers (was: FT 8)

Still have a TO. It’s for sale.

> On Mar 6, 2018, at 4:12 PM, Bill <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I purchased a TO Keyer and a Vibroplex paddle from Allied Radio, in 1966. What an advancement from a straight key! Both are long gone now - compliments of Uncle Sam and too many moves.
>
> Bill W2BLC K-Line
>
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Carl Yaffey K8NU
Recording studio.
[hidden email]
614 268 6353, Columbus OH
http://www.carl-yaffey.com
http://www.grassahol.com
http://www.bluesswing.com

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Augie "Gus" Hansen

Re: Old Keyers (was: FT 8)

In reply to this post by Chuck Guenther

This is as good a time as any, I guess. I'm selling off items from the
estate of my friend Marv, W0ZK. One of the items is a clean and
functional T.O. Keyer, a.k.a., Hallicrafters Model HA-1. The package
includes the octal control plug with the speaker jump installed. A
printed copy of the Operating and Service Instructions is included (file
available on line).

Asking $85 shipped to US (50) destinations. PayPal, USPS money order, or
check (time to clear) accepted. Proceeds go to Marv's widow to offset
funeral and related expenses.

Gus Hansen
KB0YH

On 3/6/2018 1:40 PM, Chuck Guenther wrote:

> I used a HA-1 keyer during the early 1960's. However, it was not the
> first successful commercial electronic keyer!
>
> It was my third keyer. My first keyer was the "Mon Key," which did
> not have self-completing code elements, and my second was a Eldico,
> which was self-completing. Both these earlier keyers had built in
> paddles.
>
> 73, Chuck NI0C
>
>
> On 3/03/2018, Kent Trimble wrote:
>
> I did a Show-N-Tell with our club’s CW class last Saturday using my
> 46-year old Hallicrafters T.O. Keyer so they could operate the first
> successful commercial electronic keyer, and to underscore how viable
> vintage tube gear still can be."
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

kevinr@coho.net

Re: Old Keyers (was: FT 8)

In reply to this post by Dave Sublette-2

The first electronics books I studied came from my dad's WWII foot
locker. He was a radioman on B17s, did a stint as a Marine Corps DI,
then went to radar school in Ogden, Utah. After that he went back to
the Pacific Theater and was a radar/radioman for the rest of the war in
B24s. Each page of the radar manuals was marked with SECRET. I thought
it was kind of cool to be working with secrets even if they were 15
years old at the time. The stack of ARC-5s was useful for my studies.
But since they were in such pristine condition I never could bring
myself to cut a wire or do any soldering in them. They were works of art.

73,

Kevin. KD5ONS

On 03/06/2018 01:02 PM, Dave Sublette wrote:

> When I was a teenager, 61 years ago, I saw a U.S. Navy manual with a photo
> of a Mon-Key. It was a WWII era manual. At the top and botomof the pare
> was printed "Confidential". Evidently the keyer was important enough to
> warrant being classified hardware.
>
> I had a teen buddy who had one and we used it to work SS in 1958.
>
> 73,
>
> Dave, K4TO
>
> On Tue, Mar 6, 2018 at 3:40 PM, Chuck Guenther <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I used a HA-1 keyer during the early 1960's. However, it was not the
>> first successful commercial electronic keyer!
>>
>> It was my third keyer. My first keyer was the "Mon Key," which did not
>> have self-completing code elements, and my second was a Eldico, which was
>> self-completing. Both these earlier keyers had built in paddles.
>>
>> 73, Chuck NI0C
>>
>>
>> On 3/03/2018, Kent Trimble wrote:
>>
>> I did a Show-N-Tell with our club’s CW class last Saturday using my
>> 46-year old Hallicrafters T.O. Keyer so they could operate the first
>> successful commercial electronic keyer, and to underscore how viable
>> vintage tube gear still can be."
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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Bill Clarke

Re: Old Keyers (was: FT 8)

In reply to this post by Carl Yaffey

I use a VizBug these days. Love it - like a well made sewing machine.
Quiet!!

Bill W2BLC K-Line

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Augie "Gus" Hansen

Re: Old Keyers

In reply to this post by Augie "Gus" Hansen

The T.O. Keyer has been sold. Thanks for the replies.

Gus Hansen
KB0YH

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