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{Mumer 31 Cristmas 1993

Key for ritis lrmy Cfansman '90' transceivers


013le
ISSN 09536426

Magnicatte Morse Magazine


MORSUM MA GNIFICAT was rst published as a quarterly magazine in Holland, in 1983, by
the late Rinus Hellemons PAOBFN. Now published six times a year in Britain, it aims to provide
international coverage of all aspects of Morse telegraphy, past present and future. MORS UM
MAGNIFICAT is for all Morse enthusiasts, amateur or professional, active or retired. It brings
together material which would otherwise be lost to posterity, providing an invaluable source of
interest, reference and record relating to the traditions and practice of Morse.

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Morsum Magnicat, 9 Wetherby Close, Broadstone, Dorset BH18 8.18, England.
Telephone/FAX: Broadstone (0202) 658474; International +44 202 658474
EDITOR Geoff Arnold GSGSR
CONSULTANT EDITOR Tony Smith G4FAI
(until further notice. please write to Tony care of the Editorial ofce)
G C Arnold Partners 1994. Printed by Hertfordshire Display Company, Ware, Hens

ON OUR FRONT COVER


KEY TELEGRAPH MANUAL, 5805-99-6526572 for VRC-321 & VRC-322 British Army
HF transceivers in the CLANSMAN range which came into service c.1979. The VRC32l
is a 40W PEP vehicle station covering 1.530MHz, and the VRC-322 is a pointto-point
300W PEP station, comprising the VRC-321 plus an RF amplier. Modes available are
SSB, DSB, CW and R'I'I'Y. CW power: VRC-321, high 25W, low 5W; VRC-322,
high 250W, low 25W. Key made by the Royal Ordnance Factory, Blackburn.
Collection/Photo: Wyn Davies
Comment Contents
KNOW how much its down to your 2 News
IDONT
efforts, but thank you to all the MM readers 11 A Visit to VIT
who wrote to their MPs and the Prime Minister, 12 Acquiring the
adding their voices to the protest at the suggestion Radiotelegraph Code 1
that VAT should charged on books and magazines in 18 Info Please!
the UK. Sense prevailed for now at least!
20 Book Review
Ever since my days at radio school, when a fair The Telegraph
proportion of our Morse receivingpractice came from
22 Morse in Great Houses
paper tapes running on a Creed machine, I have
always derived great pleasure from listening to well-
24 Showcase
sent Morse, regardless of whether it is being sent 26 Reections from
by man or machine. In time, we students naturally Uncle Bas 18
became familiar with the content of some of the tapes, 28 In Radio Bygones
and we were then encouraged to send along with 29 Up, Up and Away!
the machine, trying to maintain synchronism with it. 32 Computers and Morse
I found it an excellent way of developing good 34 Short Breaks
sending rhythm. 34 MM Back Issues &
In a more modern context, there is no more
In the Next Issue
salutary lesson to be learned about the quality of your
35 MM Bookshelf
keying than to send a test passage to a computer-
based Morse reader. Your friends on a CW net may 36 The Reprieve
be able and willing to decipher your possibly less- 37 Readers Adverts
than-perfect sending, but Morse-decoding programs 38 QUS?
are very unforgiving. As I found some years back, 39 Just Remember
when playing around with an early Tono Theta 40 CW Readout Printer for
keyboard/reader, it is very demoralising to be faced the 903
with a screenful of gibberish, the result of the com- 41 MM Binders
puters efforts to cope with your swing or other bad 42 The Postal Telegraph C0.
sending habits. As with a critical test report in any 43 Your Letters
other activity, it is a real spur to pull your socks up.
If youve never tried sending to a Morse decoder, Mvertrlsement
Incfex
I heartily recommend giving it a try should you get
the opportunity.

cg VWPJ
1

5/
e099 17 G4ZPY Keys
37 FISTS CW Club
i

G3GSR 37 G-QRP Club


M91431 Cristmas 1993
Mel/5
RSGB Abstains from Morse Vote the conference, and the minutes of the
AS WE REPORTED BRIEFLY in the proceedings (Committee C4) read as
last issue of MM, the IARU Region 1 follows: There was no controversy over
Conference in Belgium, in September, the rst part of OVSVs proposal, but
discussed the following multi-part some considerable discussion took
motion from OVSV (Austria): place over the remainder of the paper. A
1. The Conference should maintain number of societies favoured a code
its present position concerning the free licence on 28MHz, and there was a
necessity of a Morse code test without fair amount of support for the idea of
technical aids as part of the licence re allowing on-air training, i.e., the use
quirements for amateur radio operators of Morse code for training purposes, by
under 30MHz as long as the present those who had not yet taken a Morse
Radio Regulations have not been test. OVSV felt that a 12 wpm minimum
changed in this respect. requirement should be maintained for
The testing procedures should be left the highest licence class.
to the discretion of the national com~ RSGB reported on a survey carried
munications authorities, with a minimum out among their members which revealed
requirement of 12 wpm to be maintained. an overwhelming majority in favour of
2. Should the Radio Regulations be maintaining a Morse code requirement.
amended to the effect that no Morse However, as the matter had not yet been
code is required any longer, OVSV main- discussed by their Council they felt
tains the position that the respective unable to vote on it. (See page 4f0r the
highest national licensing class should results of the survey. Ed.)
at least include the requirement to After some further discussion, the
receive Morse code without technical following motion was carried with 38
aids at a minimum speed of 12 wpm. In votes in favour, none against and
such a case, OVSV supports a change of abstentions from REF (France), AGRA
the delineation between code and no- (by proxy held by REF), URE (Spain),
code licences from 30MHZ to 28MHZ. RSGB, and ROARS (Oman):
3. In any case, the use of Morse code
The Conference maintains its pre-
should be bound to a respective licence sent position concerning the necessity
class that includes a code test. Limited of a Morse code test without technical
use of Morse code for training purposes, aids as part of the licence requirements
however, should be encouraged on fre- for radio operators under 30MHz".
quencies above 144MHz in preparation Alex Vilensky 4X1MH reports that
for the 12 wpm requirement. when the Chairman of the HF Commit-
This motion was duly discussed at tee announced the results of the votes on
[Min/31 Ctistmas 1993
the above motion the Conference dele without a Morse qualication to have
gates applauded for a long time. There access to the sub-band 28.400 to
was no applause following the announce- 29.700MHZ.
ment of votes on any other issue.
MM has received a number of letters Bandplan Changes
from readers expressing concern that THE AMATEUR HF BAND PLANS
the RSGB delegation did not have a were changed at the IARU Region 1
mandate to vote on this issue. conference to allow more space for di-
(Information from John Allaway gital modes, now designated Digimode.
G3FKM, Secretary, IARU Region 1, and The revised frequencies are mainly
Alex Vilensky 4X1MH, IARC delegate.) shared with CW including, in some
cases, international QRP frequencies
REF Position and UK Novice frequencies; also in some
FOLLOWING THE ABOVE DISCUS- sections with phone and the Interna-
SION and subsequent voting result, REF tional Beacon Project.
(France) circulated an information sheet The new Digimode sub-bands are
explaining its reasons for abstaining from 1.838~1.842; 3.5803.620; 70357045;
voting. It fully supported item 1 as pro- 1014010150; 14.07014.112; 18.101
posed, but did not agree with the dele- 18.109; 21.08021.120; 2492024929;
tion of half of it in the nal motion. and 28.05028.150MHz.
It also supported items 2 and 3, and A typographical error in Radio
did not agree with their deletion from Communication, journal of the Radio
the nal motion. Accordingly it did Society of Great Britain, indicating that
not vote in favour of the nal text, and in the 80m band the digimode section
abstained. began at 3.560MHz (an international
REF then set out its position on QRP frequency), caused great concern
licence requirements relating to the among many QRP operators and UK
Morse code as follows: Novice operators. In the latter case the
1. It wished to keep Morse code at 12 whole of the 80m UK Novice band
wpm, also the CW sub-bands, for the (3.5603.585MHz) would have been
full privilege or highest licence class, shared with digimodes.
CEPT 1 or Class E in France. MM has conrmed with the Secre-
2. It wished to promote Morse code and tary of IARU Region 1 that the correct
CW trafc by creating or maintaining lower frequency is, in fact, 3.580 and
a Novice class on the HF bands with a not 3.560, but there is still concern
5 wpm Morse requirement. among CW operators about the exten
3. It wished to promote that objective sion of the digimodes in other HF
through amateur radio societies, IARU bands to share frequencies previously
Region 1, IARU, and ITU, in order to allocated for CW, including further
modify the Radio Regulations. QRP and Novice frequencies.
4. It sought promotion and development The revised band plans in full are to
of amateur radio by allowing licensees be found in the RSGB 1994 Call Book,
M91431 Christmas 1993 3
the printing of which was held back un- According to a report on the survey
til the conference decisions were known. results in the July 1993 issue of Break-
In, NZARTs journal, an average 32 per
RSGB Survey Results cent considered it essential, 44 per cent
THE RESULTS OF the Radio Society considered it desirable, and an average
of Great Britains consultation exercise, 22 per cent believed Morse competency
on behalf of the Radiocommunications to be unnecessary. The results were
Agency (Britains licensing authority), heavily qualied, though.
on the subject of a codefree licence for Members did not support a foreshad-
amateur operation below 30MHz, were owed NZART Council move on ap-
reported in a 3-page article in the proaching their licensing authority for a
December 1993 issue of Radio Com- non-Morse HF licence. Some 64 per cent
munication. of members believed New Zealand
A total of 1413 replies were received should never have a no-code HF licence.
from the UK, and 86 from overseas, with (Reported in Amateur Radio, August
67.5 per cent voting no to a code-free 1993, journal of the Wireless Institute of
licence, and 32.5 per cent voting yes. Australia.)
The report comments No doubt this
topic should be reviewed by the RSGB 902MHz CW Record
Council from time to time to see if CQ MAGAZINES VHF Plus column,
opinion changes. November 1993, reports a new record
The report, prepared by the RSGBs two-way CW contact on 902MHz be
HF Committee, stresses that the views tween California and Hawaii, a distance
expressed in the survey do not represent of 2469 miles, on 23 August 1993.
RSGB policy regarding a code-free Chip Angle N6CA was located
HF licence. It goes on to say It is of 360ft a.s.l. on the Palos Verdes peninsula,
interest that at the recent Region 1 IARU and Paul Lieb, KH6HME, was 8200ft
Conference in September the Confer- up on the Mauna Loa volcano. Both sta-
ence was in favour of retaining the Morse tions used 902 to 28MHz transverters
requirement. Councils current opinion with 0.6dB noise gure front ends, with
is in agreement with the Region 1 deci each station running 12 watts output into
sion but recognises that the situation 12ft loop Yagis.
may change in the next 510 years.
500kHz & GMDSS Not Compatible
NZ Amateurs Support Morse IN A LETTER to the World Wireless
A RECENT SURVEY by the New Beacon, November 1993, Richard
Zealand Amateur Radio Transmitters Monjure, describing himself as a ship-
(NZART), which questioned attitudes to board radiotelegraph operator now,
the Morse code among members, showed draws attention to a bill (8.786) in the
healthy support for competency in the US Senate which, if passed, would add a
code as a prerequisite for full licence paragraph to the Communications Act
privileges. exempting US Flag vessels equipped
4 Mill/31 Christmas 1993
with GMDSS from carrying radio- which WJMV was able to take radio
telegraph equipment. direction-nding bearings, conrming
He comments that while GMDSS that the position received on VHF was
(the Global Marine Distress and Safety correct), and the crew were rescued by a
System) is to be phased in between 1992 US warship within four hours. During
and 1999 it is not until 1999 that ship the rescue period, WJMV relayed avail
radiotelegraph stations are due to be re- able information to the Coast Guard on
moved. This is because the worlds ships HF SSB, while numerous ships called
do not have to comply with all of the 3EBT5 on SOOkHz CW asking for his
elements of GMDSS until 1999. position, without reply. No manual key
He points out that until that time a ing was heard from the ship, and the
large number of ships are expected to be automatic SOS signals continued on
sailing with radiotelegraphy and it is not 500kHz for at least twelve hours, caus-
easy for a GMDSS-equipped ship and a ing confusion and QRM after the crew
radiotelegraph ship to communicate with had abandoned ship.
each other. Therefore, he says, the radio- There is no suggestion that on this
telegraph distress system must be main- occasion the rescue activities did not
tained on US ships until the GMDSS is work well, but for the future Ben sug-
fully phased in. He urges all interested gests the need for a nominated Coast
parties to contact their Senators to ex- Guard SSB distress co-ordination fre-
press their opinion concerning bill 8.786. quency. The apparent absence of a
A report in the same issue, by Radio Ofcer on the Marine Sky, and its
Ben Russell N6SL, Radio-Electronics consequent inability to communicate
Ofcer aboard the 20 000 ton chemical with the ships calling it on SOOkHz, also
tanker Sea Venture/WJMV, demonstrates underlines the point made by Richard
this incompatibility. He reports on the Monjure above.
rescue of all 24 crew members when (Contributed by Wyn Davies,
the MN Marine Sky/3EBT5 sank on 3 Brymbo, Wales)
August 1993, based on notes in his log.
This was the rst SOS in the Gulf of Australian Anniversary
Mexico in the transition from the well- ON 3 MARCH 1854, just 9 years after
established procedures on SOOkHz CW the opening of the rst Morse telegraph
to the new GMDSS which began to be line in North America, the city of
phased in August 1, 1993, the same date Melbourne was connected by the rst
the US Coast Guard quit operating on Morse telegraph line in Australia to
SOOkHz. Williamstown in Victoria. The ofcial
The Marine Sky put out an initial opening of the line for public telegraph
distress call on VHFFM Channel 16 trafc took place on 7 April 1854.
and also sent out automatic CW distress A vast network of lines eventually
signals on SOOkHz, namely SOS SOS covered Australia and the system re-
SOS DE 3EBT5 3EBT5 3EBT5 (fol- mained in use in its original form until
lowed by two 15-second dashes, on about 1964. Today, many telegraphists
{ii/{Ml Cnstmas 1993 5
and postal clerks who formed part of the Minister for Communications to both
old Post Master Generals Department, dignitaries to celebrate the occasion
until its dismantling almost 20 years may also be forthcoming. Authentic and
ago, are members of the Morsecodians well restored telegraph equipment of the
Fraternity. time will be provided through the Morse-
Although the 150th anniversary of codians Society and its membership.
the opening of the rst Australian tele- The Morsecodians have sent infor-
graph line will be an obvious milestone mation about the proposed event to a
to celebrate in 2004, the ranks of the number of prominent organisations and
Morsecodians having the old skills will individuals in Australia in the expecta
undoubtedly be more slender than they tion that it is sufciently signicant and
are at present. With this in mind, the interesting to obtain their support. A
Morsecodians, based in Sydney, but with number of Morsecodians have already
members all over Australia, propose to volunteered their services to man the
celebrate the 140th anniversary on 78 telegraph lines at the three venues.
April 1994, together with former tele- (Extracted front an Information
graphists and postal clerks wishing to Bulletin issued by Gordon Hill, Presi
participate. dent of the Morsecodians Fraternity,
The Fraternity hopes to obtain September 1993.)
support from a number of organisations
such as Telecom Australia, Australia 150th Anniversary of first Morse
Post, historical societies, and news- Message
papers. The National Science & Tech- TO MARK the 150TH ANNIVERSARY
nology Centre in Canberra, which has of Samuel F.B. Morses What Hath God
supported the Morsecodians for several Wrought! of 24 May 1844 (see MM19,
years in their various activities (as pre- p.24.), we understand that various cele-
viously reported in MM. Ed), has brations are planned in North America
indicated its willingness to participate for 1994.
and will provide a venue and assistance Would any readers involved in these
with publicity in Canberra. celebrations please send us reports
The plan is to establish a physical afterwards so that we may report them
Morse link between Melbourne and in MM? Ed.
Williamstown, with the Science Centre
linked to both terminals so that messag- All Thanks to Morse!
es may be exchanged between the three A ROMANTIC STORY was reported
centres. Members of the public will be in the Isle of Wight County Press of
able to send brief telegrams to relatives October 22. This described how Tony
or friends without charge, and ofcial Elvers, assistant keeper at St Catherines
messages could be exchanged between lighthouse, originally wooed his wife
the Lord Mayor of Melbourne and the Alison by ashing I love you mess-
Mayor of Williamstown. Perhaps tele- ages to her by Aldis lamp across the
grams from the Prime Minister and the Solent from The Needles lighthouse.
6 9119131 Christmas 1993
At rst she didnt understand what 14.043, and 14.046MHz, with operation
they meant, but after she started learn- additionally in other parts of the 14MHZ
ing the Morse code their relationship band (at times also in the 10MHz band).
blossomed. At the time, I just hoped Depending on conditions, coverage ex-
and prayed that no shermen were tends to most of Europe, with occasion-
receiving the messages! said Tony. al DX contacts.
Married almost two years ago, their MM readers are invited to call
rst child, Catherine, just born, has been OZSMAY if they hear it on the air, and
named after St Catherines lighthouse, those operating B2 spy sets will be
because she is the light of my life. particularly welcome. However, they
(Original cutting contributed by Alan are asked to be patient when calling, as
Williams G3KSU, Isle of Wight.) sometimes the operators are talking to
visitors at the museum.
Museums of Interest For the benet of other amateurs The
DENMARK: The Museum of Danish Danish Underground Radio Award is
Resistance 19401945 (The Danish offered as follows: European stations
Freedom Fighter Museum) contact OZSMAY on two different
THE MAIN THEME of this museum is bands; or on the same band on two dif-
the development of the resistance move- ferent days. Only one contact is neces-
ment; printing of illegal leaets; sabo sary for amateurs visiting the museum
tage; dropping of equipment by British and signing the visitors book at the radio
planes; rescue of Jewish citizens from station. DX stations Only one contact
persecution; popular protests; German with OZSMAY is required. Applications
concentration camps. for the award (with log extracts) should
Of special interest to readers of MM be sent, with 6 IRCs or 25DKR, to
is amateur radio station OZ5MAY, Allis Andersen OZlACB, Kagsaavej 34,
which commemorates the Danish DK-2730 Herlev, Denmark.
Liberation date of 5 May 1945, oper- Entrance to the museum is free. It is
ated at the museum by volunteers from open Tuesday Sunday all year round,
the Copenhagen Division of E.D.R. but times vary slightly summer/winter.
(Experimental Danish Radioamateurs). All exhibits have texts in English. Free
Associated with this station are small guided tours in English at 2 pm. on
displays relating to the radio service of certain days. Guided tours in English at
the resistance. other times bookable in advance, 300
The station operates, with CW only, DKR. Refreshments available May 1 to
around noon (Danish local time) on Sept. 15. Car park, 4 DKR per hour.
most weekdays and some weekends. It Address: Churchillparken, DK1263
uses an RCA AR-88 receiver, with a Copenhagen K, Denmark. Tel: (010 45)
transmitter running 20 watts input, with 33 13 77 14.
a 40-metre Zepp antenna fed via 4009 (Information from Torben Dahl
open wire feeder. OZSABN, who is one of the operators of
Regular frequencies are 14.038, OZSMA Y)

MM31 Ctistmas 1993


Wireless Hill
AUSTRALIA: models, documents, photos, memor
Telecommunications Museum abilia, etc. Famous aircraft on display
THIS MUSEUM was opened by the City include the Lancaster, Dakota, Spitre,
of Melville in 1979 as a contribution to Tiger Moth, Canberra, and more.
the 150th anniversary of the settlement Again, of interest to MM readers,
of Western Australia. The building David Couch has recently donated all of
was built in 1912 and was originally the the RAF and RAAF Morse keys in his
Applecross Wireless Station, the sec- collection to this museum.
ond wireless station to be established in The museum is located at Bullcreek
Australia, and is now surrounded by a Drive, Bullcreek, near Perth, and is open
large public park of natural bushland. from 114 daily except Christmas Day
The collection of telecommunications and Good Friday. For enquiries, tele-
equipment and displays includes, phone 332 4444.
amongst other things: Radio and ship- (Information from David Couch,
ping, Amateur radio, Royal Flying VK6WT, Wembley, Western Australia.)
Doctor Service, Telegraph & telephone,
Broadcasting, Radio and war, Radio New World-wide CW QRP Event
and aviation. A NEW ANNUAL WORLD-WIDE
Of particular interest to readers of QRP activity, open to all amateur QRP
this magazine is a recent donation to the (low-power) operators, is to be run
museum by MM reader David Couch, jointly by the OK and G-QRP Clubs.
VK6WT, of some 200 Morse keys from CZEBRIT 94 will be held from 1600
his collection which will be put on GMT, 25 February 1994 until 2359
display once suitable shelving has been GMT, 27 February 1994, with separate
erected. sections for OK/OM stations (Czech
The museum is located in the City and Slovak Republics), United Kingdom
of Melville, near Perth. It is open on stations, other European stations, and
Saturdays and Sundays from 25 pm. stations outside Europe.
and special arrangements for organised Frequencies: 3.560, 7.030, 14.060,
groups to visit during the week can be 21.060 and 28.060MHz, all iSkHz.
made by telephoning 364 7067 or 364 Power/mode: not exceeding 5W RF
1558. output, CW only. Stations unable to
(Information front David Couch, measure RF output, use half their DC
VK6WT, Wembley, Western Australia.) input.
Scoring: Contacts with own country do
Aviation Museum of Western not count (for example UK x UK, F x F,
Australia EA X BA). European stations contacting
RUN BY the Royal Australian Air Force a Czech/Slovak or UK station on each
Association, this museum claims to band = 2 points, contacts with other
have the nest collection of civilian and European stations = 1 point, and con-
military aircraft in Australia, as well as tacts outside Europe = 3 points. For
many aero engines, uniforms, relics, stations outside Europe, contacts with
8 MM31 Cristmas 1993
UK, Czech or Slovak stations = 5 points, atlantic working might be possible on
and other European contacts = 3 points. the 3.5MHz band, 05000700 GMT.
Multipliers: Stations in Europe contact- (Informationfrom Gus Taylor G8PG,
ing 5 or more DXCC countries multiply Communications Manager, G-QRP
their points score by two. Stations out- Club.)
side Europe contacting 2 or more coun-
tries in Europe multiply their points score MM Mini-Meet
by two. The points score is the total
number of points scored for contacts
made on all bands used. Stations may
only be worked once on each band.
Exchanges: RST, serial number start-
ing at 001, oblique stroke, and power;
e.g., 559012/3. Milliwatt stations use
01 for 100mW, and so on.
Logs: Separate sheets for each band.
Log date, time, callsign, contest ex-
changes (as above), and points claimed.
Contacts claimed as multipliers to be
underlined. A cover sheet showing name
Lee Grant (left) and Colin Waters at the
address and callsign (please write legi
Great Wormley Rally
bly), claimed score per band, total score, Photo: Jim Lycett
and brief station details, must be includ-
ed. Logs must reach the appropriate MM READERS Lee Grant G3XNG,
address, as follows, by 15 April 1994. Colin Waters G3TSS and Jim Lycett
Addresses: Entries from all of Europe, GOMSZ met at the Great Wormley
except the UK and Ireland, must go to Radio Rally in October, where they
OK-QRP-C, c/o P. Doudera OKlCZ, discussed and exchanged views on
ul baterie 1, 16200 Praha 6, Czech Lees camelback key, a recent addition
Republic. Entries from the UK, Ireland, to his collection.
and all stations outside Europe must go
to GQRPC, c/o A.D. Taylor G8PG, Single Lever Combo
37 Pickerill Road, Greasby, Merseyside IN RESPONSE to popular demand,
L49 3ND, England. G4ZPY Paddle Keys International are
Awards: The leader in each of the introducing what they believe to be the
sections will receive one years G-QRP rst commercially made Single Lever
Club free membership, and a certicate. Combo a key mounted on a base
Second and third places in each section containing an electronic keyer.
will receive certicates. This new combo has one little extra
if
Disputes: In any dispute the decision of you get tired of using the single
the organisers will be nal. lever, and would like to change over to a
Footnote: It is suggested that trans- twin lever, there is a jack socket which
Mill/L31 cmm 1993 9
allows another key to use the same After the good news, the bad. With
iambic kcyer. regret, prices of the G4ZPY range will
The new Combo is available in ve be increased in February.
different nishes, at prices beginning at Details of the new combo can be
130, and all have key down switches. obtained by sending a SASE (UK) or 2
The month of February 1994 also IRCs to G4ZPY Paddle Keys Interna
sees the addition of further 17 keys to tional, 41 Mill Dam Lane, Burscough,
the G4ZPY stock-list, which will then Onnskirk, Lancs L40 7TG. In the USA,
offer 50 different models. contact K4TWJ, QTHR.

At 3.15 mm. (GMT) on 22nd 80mm! 1913


.
undo: th- dlroction of Guglielmo Marconi I
unsung-originated bythomghton.w.ll.
Hugh-5,Mmlnhurowama.on-
viato London, was transmitted from the
Long Wave Winks: station It Wanna",
Won, North Wales.
This mount was received by E. '1'.
Flak, Esq. I! 1.15 pm. (Sydney
ux) at his Wan] Winks
Station, bud-Ina" In Wahroonga, New
South Wales. The Iqldpmcnt
nuanced
by N: Pink and partly built by asylum of
WAB. SH 56 Mon Gwynedd tho Autumn-d Winks. (Australia) Ltd.
lARU. 1073VD
Am-In
'

412' Long 53 08' Lat. SH533608


This a:- nm dincc m1.- may.
to

To Date GMT Freq Mode RST

Wm Ma 22 SEP 1993
om, 14.0.; H [Fl 579?
PSE TNX QSL-VIA BURO OR GW3VVC TOMA} 6w3x/t/C
Op. ..............................................................

GBZVK 75m Anniversary


Despite very poor propagation condi- operated throughout the 24 hours of
tions, a contact was made at 0716 on September 22 and for almost as long
22 September 1993 between GB2VK in on the 25th. In total, over 300 contacts
Waunfawr, Caernarfon, North Wales were made.
and VK2WAH, the station of the The special event attracted consider-
Wahroonga Amateur Historical Radio able media attention from papers, radio
Association. At 0805, an SSB contact and TV both in advance and on the day,
was made with VKSMS in Southern and it is hoped that the event will be
Australia. repeated on 22 September 1994 and
Both the CW and SSB stations annually thereafter.
10 M9131 Cristmas 1993
OWNSVILLE RADIO/VIT, a standards, can be very strange Morse
coastal radio station in Queens- indeed, and keep an eye on several other
land, keeps watch 24 hours a day things while theyre doing it.
on the shipping frequencies. Gavin, Foreign ships almost invariably com-
VK4ZZ, is an operator there, and he municate in Morse, but, I was told, are
took me out to view the facilities. employing cheaper, poorly trained oper-
The station is near the sea, on at ators. Imaginative reading is sometimes
land some miles north of Townsville. called for. This is not fast Morse, it
The antenna farm is amazing, and ap- rarely goes above 18 wpm. But I
pears to cover had trouble decod-
about 10 acres. ing a lot of it, and
Mostly wire anten- A Visit to VIT a new Ham would
have been totally
nas, very high, very
securely anchored. by Gary Bold ZL1AN perplexed.
Cyclones can come Everything I
by here on occa- heard was coming
sion. in from hand keys,
The equipment inside the air- and everything was being sent back on a
conditioned, modern, operating building hand key. They have faster machines
is also impressive, immaculately serv there, including a Morse keyboard emu-
iced, with an enormous back-up diesel lator running on an MSDOS computer,
generator which res up if the mains but apparently rarely use them. I watched
go away. Some of the modern gear is the duty operator receive a telegram, en-
computer-controlled this includes the tering the text directly onto a teleprinter
SEAPHONE equipment, which inter- and talking to me at the same time. These
faces two-way radiotelephone calls to guys were good.
the TELECOM network. The older gear It was clear that commercial Morse,
goes back 30 years, and I saw several despite what many would have us be-
beautiful Collins transmitters and receiv- lieve, is still with us in a big way, or at
ers which took me back to my student least it is in this part of the world. Food
days. for thought.
Many of you will be surprised to (Extracted and adapted for MMfrom
know that a LOT of the commercial Gary Bolds The Morseman column in
trafc still passes by Morse about half Break-In, journal of NZART, January/
of it, during the time I was there. Im February 1993. )
told the fraction is well over 60 per cent
at some stations. So all the frontline We understand that coast stations in
staff have to be excellent CW operators. Australia and New Zealand have since
And by excellent, I mean able to accu- begun a close-down programme of MF
rately read and transcribe what, by Ham W/T services. Watch this space! Ed.

M91431 Christmas 1993 11


HE ULTIMATE GOAL in learning example, when the ear hears di-dah
the telegraph code is to reach the mind thinks A, and if one is writ-
the point where one is as uncon- ing it down, writes A immediately, like
scious of the dits and dahs and letters an automatic printer. The second stage
(and even words) as one is of the letters is but an extension of the rst, and may
and individual sounds in conversing or start before stage one is achieved: it is
reading. Only when there is a distraction the ability to send and receive words as
- such as a foreign accent, speech words, not as strings of letters. Obvious
defect or the like, or for telegraphy poor ly, this stage is a growing one, begin-
quality sending, or ning with the short,
interference from common words.
static or other sta-
tions do these Acquiring the Here there is no
longer any con-
features come to
attention. The pur- Radiotelegraph Code sciousness of spell-
ing, any more than
pose of telegraphy Part 1 good readers spell
is to communicate. out words. The
by Wm. G Pierpont NOHFF
Telegraphy is a code is becoming
learned skill, like natural, a sort of
tennis, golf or writ- second nature, and
ing shorthand. These all begin with con- there is freedom to listen and express
scious effort to develop the details of oneself freely.
action, then with repetitious practice they Carried to its ultimate, the expert
gradually become automatic and become telegrapher, like the skilled typist or
progressively easier. A new set of habits stenographer, can be busily writing in-
has been formed, and ones conscious coming messages while he is thinking
attention is transferred from the details about something else, and may be quite
to the overall purpose, the larger aspects. surprised to see what he has written.
In telegraphy there are stages of Few of us would care to go that far.
achievement along the line, and as each As the details no longer demand
is reached there is a sense of new free- attention, the code becomes more and
dom and enjoyment in its use. One comes more a language with its own inherent
to love to communicate in code. beauty for communication and expres-
Two major stages stand out. The rst sion. This begins to be felt as stage one
is basic and essential: when each letter is reached.
(including numbers, punctuation marks
and other signals as needed) is instantly First Impressions Most Lasting
recognised as soon as it has been heard Since learning the code is establish-
as being the letter itself without any ing a new set of habits, it doesnt make
hesitation or conscious effort at all. For sense to begin in such a way that later
12 Mill/31 Cn'stmas 1993
efforts are impeded. First impressions Keep Proper Proportions
are always strongest and most long last- The essence of code is TIMING. A
ing. A false step here may become a dah is three times as long as a dit. Proper
long time obstacle. Radio telegraphy is spacing between letters and between
sound, heard through the ears. It should words is important to maintain. Within
be approached this way from the very letters the space between dits and dahs
rst exposure: there is no real reason is one dit. When any of these time inter-
ever to see the code in a written form vals are violated the transmission be-
why add such an unnecessary and use- comes more or less unintelligible. Habit
less step? Years ago it used to be taught formation is expedited and confusion of
that way from charts or tables, but mind avoided by using only well-sent
experience has shown that this costs from code for practising. Keeping proper pro
50 to 100 per cent more time to reach portions makes learning much easier.
the same prociency. So to start out right: Later, at times, you will probably have
code is SOUND. to deal with badly sent code, but dont
Through the years various ingenious burden the learning process with it.
schemes have been devised to present Practice is the ongoing ingredient of
the code in visual form. Some of them mastery until that point is reached. Short
can be learned very quickly, and may be periods of not over thirty minutes have
adequate for those who need the barest proved best shorter if one tires before
working knowledge at very low speeds. that. Not much progress is made when
But for most people these short-cuts one is tired.
become hindrances. Telegraphy is a skill almost anybody
Each code letter should be thought can learn. Some will learn faster than
of as a UNIT of sound, even though it is others this is natural. Age, etc., is no
built up of bits and pieces (dits and dahs). deterrent. Many beginners doubt that
Each letter has its own peculiar pattern, they can learn it. Some express no real
rhythm or swing. Its sound is not to be interest in learning and think they will
thought of in isolation, but from the very never use it yet some of these nd they
rst in association with the printed letter actually prefer it above other means of
it corresponds to. For example, di-dah communication, once they get into it.
is A. It doesnt stand for A to have All learning is expedited when the
to be translated, but is to be thought of subject is viewed as easy and one takes
as being A. To promote the sense a can do attitude. This is especially
of UNITY of sound, most instructors important in skill subjects. The learner
have the letters sent at a character rate can actually speed up his learning by
ranging from 13 to 20 wpm, with wide telling himself Code is easy for me.
spaces between. The instructions given This was one of the strong points of the
are: when you hear di-dah, think A famous Candler System training. He
and write A. The particular rhythm of recommended that students tell them-
each letter (how it sounds) gives it away selves this between practices.

you recognise it for what it is. Since the rst stage to be achieved
M9131 - Cfiristmas 1993 13
is the INSTANT ASSOCIATION OF mendations are for the learning of one
THE CODE SIGNAL WITH ITS new character in each 20 to 30 minute
CORRESPONDING LETTER, how can practice session. It is presented repeat-
this be accomplished most efciently? edly alone and/or in groups of two to
There are 26 letters, ten numbers and ve until it is immediately recognised.
a half-dozen or so other signals to be Then it is intermixed (in ratios selected
differentiated. How should this be or- by the student) with letters previously
ganised to facilitate learning? Should learned, and practised until it is rmly
similar-sounding letters be learned to- xed in the mind. It is recommended
gether, and/or should contrasting letters that the characters be sent at a 20 wpm
be learned together, or some other individual rate, with a three second in-
arrangement be used? terval at rst for identication. This in-
Since our nal goal is the instant terval is gradually reduced. Constant
association of a code signal with its let- speed or increasing speed runs are pro-
ter, there cannot be a time for mental grammable readily. The average student
decisions, comparing or contrasting in is said to achieve about 20 wpm after
order to identify it. At the end point about four weeks of study consisting
each code character must stand on its of two 2030 minute daily practice
own feet, so to speak, in isolation from periods, or a total of some 2030 hours
all others. Some people may nd that study. This system has much to com-
initially, or somewhere along the mend it. (Letters are introduced in an
learning process, such comparisons or unrelated, uncontrasted sequence.)
groupings may be helpful. But psycho-
logically it may be best for most people The Koch System
to learn unrelated, uncontrasted letters Koch in Germany in the early 19303
together in a given study period, insofar developed an effective procedure as
as this is possible. In this way each letter follows: At rst two letters with dis-
stands on its own feet. tinctly differing patterns were introduced,
each presented to the student individual-
Variety of Schemes ly, then presented to him for recognition
In what follows we shall present a and writing down as sent in random
number of schemes devised to facilitate order. Signals were sent at 12 wpm with
achieving stage one prociency. Most normal spacing (i.e., no lengthened spac-
of them require some kind of instruc- es between them), his theory being that
tor, whether personal or by proxy, and 12 wpm would allow the signals to be
at least one requires a home computer. heard as units, and normal spacing would
The Morse University system is for discourage any attempt to analyse them.
self-instruction together with a Commo- When 90 per cent or more correct iden-
dore computer to accept and operate its tication was reached, a new letter would
module. Many format alternates in speed be added, and so on until the entirety of
and composition are selectable by the the alphabet (including numbers, etc.)
student to suit his own needs. Recom- was completed. At the end of about 14
14 M91431 Cnlstmas 1993
hours of instruction the average student Sound 0r Rhythm Pictures
could receive at 12 wpm. That is a During WWII psychological studies
phenomenal accomplishment. (New on the order of learning the letters were
letters seem to have been unrelated.) made, and it appeared that with the
The whole method, also termed the ordinary sound teaching approaches it
reinforcement method was tried by made little difference in overall learn-
some psychologists. At the rst session ing time. Build-up groups, such as
all 36 letters were taught, and then the E I S H 5, or E A R L seemed to differ
instructor immediately began a series of little from random or other groupings.
reinforcement runs of 100 characters A number of attempts have been
each. Each character was sent and the made through the years to devise a way
student was given three seconds to write to quickly reduce the hesitation time
down his identication, then the in- between hearing and recognition. Shy-
structor identied it. If the student ing away from the visual approach, sug-
erred (writing a wrong letter or none at gestions have been presented to provide
all) he was to write just below its correct a sound or rhythm picture, such as one
identication. One second later the next suggestion pay day today as the rhythm
character was sent, and so on to the for Q. But in no way does this suggest
100th. (Characters were sent at 1820 Q itself. One of the earliest published
wpm.) At this point the student tabu- attempts was by the prestigious
lated the missed letters and had a short Wireless Press in 1921. During WWII
rest period before taking a second simi- three psychologists tested a system of
lar run. Letters were sent at random and mnemonics using key words whose
the entire 36 were covered. initial letter, rhythm, inner grouping,
Four of these loo-character runs accent, length and hierarchy would
were done the rst day. (Overall rate sound like the code signal and suggest
was about ten characters per minute at the letter, to reduce confusion in learn-
this stage.) Each day this practice con- ing. That they only partially succeeded
tinued, but as prociency improved, up can be seen from their list shown on the
to ve or more letters were sent before following page.
they were identied. On the average it When tested against the usual sound
took about nine hours to reach 95 per approach most people gained little or
cent correctness (less than four hours nothing. No doubt a number of such
for the best and over 20 for the slowest). schemes have been devised. One cur-
After this speeds were increased, and it rently on the market is Code Quick
took about 18 hours to reach 5 wpm, 36 which appears to include the Dog did it
hours to achieve 10 wpm, and 50 hours mnemonic from the aforementioned list.
for 12 wpm on the average (some reached For many years the Dodge Radio
20 wpm by this point). Nothing was Shortcut was advertised widely. This
gained it took about the same instruc- system presented the code visually with
tional time as for other common sound a different sort of mnemonic, (shown at
methods. the foot of page 16 without the printed
M91131 Cristmas 1993 15
Around Japan sand man Sicily
Beat Germany Kangaroo Toot
Casa Blanca Liberia Unafraid
Dog did it Ma-Ma Victory now
Eek Nazi Without arms
Federation Oh-oh-oh Excellent work
Gamewarden Police station Yankee rampart
Hilly-billy Quadruplicate Zulu did it
ltchy Revolver

code symbols (simply dots and dashes) Individual investigators have shown 13
because of its apparent wide use). wpm in 3040 hours (Taylor) and 25
Just how much pencil tapping, head wpm in 160 hours (gestalt method
scratching, whispering to self, etc., wholeness or unity of signals). It is
hesitation time such schemes help is by clear that a well-planned approach is time
no means clear. People have used them. saving.
One of the older standard code teach-
ing manuals stated that learning times in
the 193040 period were:
WPM 5 81014 20 25
DAYS (average) at 1 hour per day
12 24 4O 75 160 210

Eat dit Theres dah


Another di-dah No dah-dit
Raw di-dah-dit Kick dah-di-dah
Lemon di-dah-di-dit You dah-di-dah-dah
With di-dah-dah Dont dah-di-dit
Perfect di-dah-dah-dit eXpect dah-di-di-dah
Joy di-dah-dah-dah But dah-di-di-dit
Imagine di-dit May dah-dah
Uncle di-di-dah Get dah-dah-dit
Feels di-di-dah-dit Quick dah-dah-di-dah
So di-di-dit Oh dah-dah-dah
Very di-dl-di-dah Come dah-di-dah-dit
Hungry di-di-di-dit Zeno dah-dah-di-dit

16 mm Cnstmas 1993
G4ZPY
PADDLE KEYS INTERNATIONAL
41 MILL DAM LANE, BURSCOUGH,
ORMSKIRK, LANCS., ENGLAND L40 7TG
TEL. (0704) 894299
Long have users of Single Lever Keys asked us to produce a
combo for them. Now weve done it and we think its the
first one to be commercially made.
THE NEW
G4ZPY SINGLE LEVER COMBO
Available in ve different nishes, all with keydown
switches incorporated and with one little extra! If you get tired
of using the Single Lever, and would like to change over to a
Twin Lever, there is a jack socket tted to enable another key
to use the same Iambic Electronic Keyer.

The Single Lever Combo will be available from


February 1994, when a total of 17 further models will be
added to our stock list
For information on all our Products, just send a
9"x 4 S.A.S.E. (GB), or 2 IRCs Overseas

M9131 Ctistmas 1993 17


Info Tlease!
Readers require further information on the following keys, etc.
Please write to Tony Smith, 0/0 the Editorial Oice (see inside front cover),
if you can help.
All useful information received will be published in MM in a later issue

KB7BAD

Thomas

L.

Richard

Photo/Collection:

Unknown leg key, inscribed Pat. Applied For across the horizontal pivot bar.
No other markings. It came from the Southern Pacific Railroad depot at
Maricopa, Arizona, south of Phoenix. The circuit closing lever is missing.
Contact points are quite small, about the size of a pin head.
The key was not mounted on the telegraph desk but was attached to a
triangular piece of wood that may have been attached to a wall.
Can anyone shed light on its origin?

18 M9131 - Christmas 1993


G4CCW

Sheen

Derek

Collection/Photo:

Key on practice board Construction of key


Unknown key. Apparently originallypart of a practice set. Although it resembles an
American key, it has BA (British Association) screw threads. Any information welcome

GaLLZ

Goacher

Dennis

Collection/Photo:

Unknown key, very small, total size %'W x 2/2"D x 1 /4"H, with tone
oscillator and button cell. Finished in black, no markings. Very well made
and apparently designed to plug into a unit as a complete sub-assembly
via a 5-pin socket arrangement at the rear. Any information welcome

M9131 Christmas 1993 19


UB-TITLED A History of The book describes how that line was
Morses Invention and Its constructed and includes many fascin
Predecessors in the United ating details of the difculties experi-
States, this wide-ranging book would enced and how they were overcome.
be a useful addition to the bookshelf These ranged from buffaloes in the tree-
of anyone interested in the history less plains discovering the delights of
of the Morse telegraph. Author Lewis rubbing themselves against the newly
Coe, a former erected telegraph
Postal Telegraph poles, pushing over
operator, says in whole sections of
his prologue, The The Telegraph the line in the
great network of A Book Review process, to Indian
telegraph wires attacks, lightning
that once enfolded by Tony Smith G4FAI strikes, high winds,
the nation like a blizzards and
cobweb has van- oods.
ished.... This is one of
He describes how that network came the great attractions of the book. While
into existence, its amazingly varied uses, it describes the great enterprises that
and its eventual decline. This is not a used or arose from the telegraph, such
work of ction, he says, The truth is as the Military Telegraph, the Telegraph
far more interesting than any product companies, the laying of the transatlantic
of the imagination. cable, press services, railroad telegraphy
He refers to the earliest attempts to and specialist business services, it also
communicate by means of electricity, looks at the day to day experiences
including the work of pioneers in other and achievements of the telegraphers
countries, but this book is really about themselves.
Samuel Morses invention and what it
developed into. It describes what is not Back to Basics
only an important part of the history of It describes how the early telegra-
America, but of the world as well. phers learned their trade, in telegraph
schools, or by self-study; and how they
Coast to Coast lived when sufciently skilled to earn
After its rst ofcial demonstration their living on the key,
in 1844, the telegraph was enthusiastic- In (relatively) more recent times, in
ally taken up by different companies, the 19305, successful domestic radio
many of which eventually formed part systems competed with the domestic wire
of the giant Western Union. By 1861, companies for trafc. While American
the telegraph had spanned America coast Morse continued to be used on the
to coast, ahead of the railroad. wires, competing radio messages were
20 Mil/L31 Cristmas 1993
in International Morse, using punched The numbers of Morse instruments
tape for sending and siphon recorders were such that for years they fre-
for receiving on paper tape, that had to quently turned up at ea markets, estate
decoded by the operators. In a sense this auctions and surplus shops. By the 19703,
was a reversion to the original 19th cen- however, collector interest was grow-
tury Morse recording system, except that ing, and this was reected by a gradual
speeds of up to 200 wpm were possible. decrease in the number of instruments
offered for sale and by corresponding
ArchivalMaterial price increases.
For the historian or researcher, Lewis Knowing collectors acquired most
Coe lists the contents of the archival of the nineteenth century instruments
material held by the National Museum available before the general appreci-
of American History, transferred from ation of telegraph collectibles took place.
the Western Union Museum, now closed. Fortunately, says Coe, Morse instruments
Contained in 112 boxes, this material still turn up often enough to enable be-
occupies approximately 60 lineal feet of ginners to start a basic collection.
shelf space. Apparatus and equipment,
also transferred from the WU Museum, A Lot of Ground
is held in the Museum of American of appendices,
There are a number
Historys Division of Electricity and including the 1843 Bill passed by
Modern Physics. Congress authorising the sum of $30 000
He also describes how, until the to be paid to Samuel F.B. Morse to
mid-1950s, cast-off telegraph instru- construct the rst telegraph line in the
ments were not considered to have any United States; the text of the 1860
special value, were sometimes sold for Telegraph Act, authorising advertise-
scrap, or were carelessly dismantled by ments for sealed proposals to construct
mindless tinkering. Only a few astute a telegraph line between the Atlantic
collectors realised at the time that the and Pacic States; a chronology of the
era of the Morse telegraph was at an Telegraph; a Glossary of Telegraph
end, making all telegraph artefacts Terms; biographical sketches of a
eminently collectible. number of Men of the Telegraph; a
bibliography and more.
Collectors Bonanza I was a little unhappy about some of
Early collectors had a bonanza of the references to the early English tele-
material to choose from. City ofces graphs in the rst part of this book, but
were usually disposed of by calling in can appreciate how a few misunderstand-
a dealer who would bid for the whole ings arose from a distance. However, in
lot, often getting it for scrap-metal value terms of the American Telegraph the
and holding the items for later resale to author is on home territory. He has writ-
collectors. The prices realised were many ten an authoritative, highly readable
times the scrap value but were still nom- book which covers a lot of ground and
inal compared with todays values. continued on page 23
M9181 Cristmas 1993 21
N 1884 A SERIES OF VOL The coachman replies with a single
UMES, edited by the unidenti- long ring to signify that he understands.
ed author of the magazine The author also felt that it would be
Every Man His Own Mechanic, were convenient to have an answering signal
published by Ward Lock & Co. under from the receiving end for each word
the title Amateur Work. These bound received and understood, which would
volumes appear to be collected material be sent in the pause period between
which would have words.
appeared rst in The letter E
the weekl ublica- '
tion, cozgring a Morse In Great would be sent when
the word was un-
wide range of
practical subjects Houses derstood or the let-
ter I when not. A
of interest to exper- negative reply
imenters generally by E.F. Jones G3EUE would consist of N
anything from and an afrmative
the construction of A. Other abbrevia-
musical instruments to brass founding! tions could be devised and used as de-
One article outlined the practical use sired. Having committed the Morse code
to which electric bells could be put, sug- to memory, signals could then be sent in
gesting that such signals could be used cypher to ensure condentiality, or the
to direct staff. It was submitted that the bell mufed under a cloak so that only
Morse Telegraph Code could easily be the intended recipient listened to the
adopted for use with electric bells of the message!
vibrating or trembler type. It is difcult to believe that in an age
To add to the task of learning the when domestic service was a way of life
alphabet and gures, the author also for a high proportion of the working
suggested learning a number of punctu- population, any major household or state
ation signals and barred letters includ- ly home would ever have contemplated
ing A (AE) - -, O(OE)
- -
--- -, introducing such a complex system into
U(UE) - ---, and CH ---.
It was strongly recommended that
the establishment.
Volume 2 of Amateur Work, from
bell signals should be sent with a degree which this information was taken, has a
of regularity, similar to that adopted large number of Letters to the Editor,
when playing the piano. Dots should be commenting on previous articles or cor-
represented by one, dashes by two, and respondence, on a question-and-answer
spaces by three units of time. To make basis. Regrettably, I have not been able
the instructions quite clear the example to nd a single reference relating to the
shown in the panel on the facing page above signalling system which might in-
was given. dicate that someone, somewhere, had

22 MM31 Cflristmas 19.93


The mistress of the house signals to her coachman:

G E T T H E

ii 53'; liniim
'1

C A R R I A G E R E A D Y
5'15"]; Eiiia 315;]
{2} T2} '1} f2 T2} '1 {2 iii
The coachman replies: R E A D Y
51"] {2 Eiii'

When the mistress is ready she signals:

B R I N G T H E

iiitillii 5': iii Jilin} '1


3

C A R R I A G E

3131}; $2} '12] i} '{2 '55 '1

actually introduced it into a household of an idea on the part of the author, quite
as a substitution for a simple message properly based on a recognised use of
by a servant. a bell for signalling purposes, which
Perhaps, after all, it was just the germ rather got out of hand! MM

THE TELEGRAPH a review Highly Recommended


continued from page 21 The Telegraph, A History of Morse s
Invention and Its Predecessors in the
United States, by Lewis Coe, ISBN
provides some very useful references. 0-89950-736-0, pub. March 1993 by
The illustrations are excellent and McFarland & Company Inc., Box 611,
include some interesting and atmo- Jefferson, North Carolina 28640, USA.
spheric early photographs of telegraph Hardback, 184 pages, price $25.95
activities. ($27.95 post-paid, USA). MM
M9131 C/iristmas 1993 23
Shozucase
Featuring keys and other collectors items of telegraphic interest.
If anyone can add to the information given please contact TS

Galudec

Ie
Jean

Photo/collection:

French A.O. P. key, type B-131, polished brass on ebonite base, 1910(?)

LS. Brach, Newark, NJ, USA. Type 262. Black finished brass on ebonite base
24 {Mm/[31 Christmas 1993
Bower

Lew

Photo:

Hi-MoundPalm Keyer, model PK-1, used by Lew Bower G4HKY with his HF field
man-pack rig. Lew says It reminds me how we used to "chat" Via the switch on the
hand set of our field telephones so the officers didnt know we were talking!

Galudec

Ie
Jean
L. Gerard & Co., Liege,
1913. Type C.D.C No3613,
Photo/collection:
serial No 91.
All polished brass, including
base. Used by Belgian P&T

Galuclec

le
Jean

Photo/collection:

French key. M.A.E.S. (Trevoux-Ain), 1920(7). Cast brass on ebonite base

M9161 Christmas 1993 25


HE SEA THERE WAS MY up a seamans life to work in an ofce.
FUTURE! As a twelveyear old He had been a captain in the merchant
boy I was already dreaming of a navy, and after many years at sea had
career as a ships ofcer, of long voy- been offered a job on the staff of a
ages in big beautiful cargo vessels, of stevedore company. This was not going
exotic meals and striking white and to happen to me ever! Eventually,
dark blue uniforms. then, after passing various school
The quarter of Rotterdam where I exams I nally went to a College for
was born was adjacent to the general Radio Ofcers in Rotterdam where I
cargo docks where, from the beginning obtained my certicate as a radio
of the century until about 1970, dozens operator.
of enormous cargo ships were always However, to sign on and go to sea,
loading and discharging products from one needed a passport. I had never been
all over the world. abroad, not even for a holiday, so I
The seamen who went ashore for a didnt have one. Apart from that, I had
drink and a good to have a seamans
time passed in book and, natural-
front of our house Reflections from 1y, a uniform. Dad
on their way to the was well acquaint-
centre of the city. Uncle Bas 18 ed with all this
My early impres paraphernalia and
sions of those big,
I
Knew What I Wanted still knew all the
muscular, sailors by Bastian van Es PAORTW addresses where
often wearing everything could
smart uniforms be obtained.
with gold stripes
on collar and sleeve still remain in my Why Khaki Pants?
memory. Getting a uniform and cap was easy.
Dad insisted, however, on me buying
Only One Career khaki pants and shirts. The use of these
I was very young, therefore, when it was not clear to me, I could not see
became clear that only one career lay myself in the radio room of a seagoing
ahead of me and it was not that of my vessel in working clothes. The seamen
father who was counting rows of gures passing my home in Rotterdam were
from early morning until late at night in always perfectly dressed, and it never
a dusty dark ofce. That his work was occurred to me that they had to work to
essential for shipping I did not know earn their wages!
until much later, when I came to realise Fortunately there was a small prob-
the importance of a stevedores rm. lem which enabled me to avoid getting
I had never understood why Dad gave those khaki pants. In the store, Dad

26 M91431 - C/iristmas 1993


v. TAILORS
OUTFITTERS
17, LONDON 8T., LONDON, 5.0.3
FACING FENCHURCH STREET STATION
Book lo Mark [one or Fenchunh Strut Station
s
Telephone ROYal 2806
Business hours 9- 6. Salurdlyl 1-15
OUTFITTING DEPARTMENT
16-17, LONDON STREET
H08IERY DEPARTMENT
18, LONDON STREET
SPECIAL
REDUCED PRICES
FOR RADIO OFFICERS
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIllIllllllIIlIllIIIlIlIIlIIIIIIIllllllllllllllllll

Uniform Serge Sult complue lace and


buttons 4 15 0
Cloth Con Ind Trouuen, [Ice and buttons
5 15 0
Superfine West of England Cloth Coal Ind
Trousers. lace and button: 7 7 O
R.N. Cloth Cap, standard Badge Ind bind
18/6
Bldgel, sundlrd 8/6
Standard buttons: Coat. Men Vest, per
dozen 4". My 2/-
White Suits, Standard quality 25/-
Naval Belted Coats 55/-, 84/-
Bverythlng {or Nev-l Weir
A Spaclal Discount of 5% Is allowed on
V Givla Buitlngs to Members 0! the R.0.U.
Noted {or First Class Cut
Our mm. In Your gun-rune... Sun! for our Cue-Io.
OPPOSITE FENCHURCH STREET STATION
F

This advenisementfrom the 1938 Handbook for Wireless Operators


shows the range of uniform being offered to Brilish Had/o Officers in
the pre-war era not greatly different to the post-war days

91191131 Cristmas 1993


insisted they had to have the then Khaki Pants Found
newfangled zipper y fastener. On his The next port was Baltimore, in the
last trip he had seen them in America United States. Near the pier where we
and now tried to explain the benets and docked was a Naval shipyard. In the
advantages to the salesman. street were dozens of sailors, nearly
The old man had a very authoritative all of whom wore the khaki pants with
manner and the man in the shop who zippers which Pa had been so delirious
wanted to tell a long story about the about.
technical disadvantages of the zip A store selling them was quickly
fastener gave up when Dad pulled out found, however the salesman looked
his wallet and started counting out bills. puzzled when I asked Do you have khaki
The salesman then agreed with him com- pants with a zipper? When he asked for
pletely and we left the shop with an more details and said What colour do
enormous pile of clothing, but no khaki you want sir?, I managed to whisper
pants. I was overjoyed at this but Dad Sandish of course.
just grinned and said Youre going to The poor fellow still didnt know
be sorry boy. what I wanted, but as the store was
loaded with those pants I just pointed at
No-one Else in Uniform them. Then I realised there is an
On my rst trip I soon realised I enormous difference between American
needed working clothes as soon as lingo and the Kings English. The sales-
possible. Apart from the captain, nobody man laughed and said Oh, I see, you
was in uniform, and his was old and want chinopants. MM
worn. When I entered the mess in my (For the benet of our nonUS
brand new uniform to sit down among readers, chino is described by my
the mates and engineers, all in everyday dictionary as strong khaki-like twilled
shirts and trousers, they couldnt resist cotton or in plural form as trousers
asking me Are you going to a party made of it. You learn something new
with the Queen? every day in this game! Ed.)
After three weeks at sea, we entered
our rst port of call, Martinique in the
West Indies. Everything in the shops Send 3 or a US$5 bill
for a sample issue
was very French orientated and I did not
dare enter them to enquire about khaki Bygones
trousers with an American zipper. In the Christmas 1993 issue, out now!
Another problem was my French. My An Antipodean Ekco the SW86

many years of study proved useless as Murphy Reminiscences


Racal & the RA.17 (Part 2)
nobody understood what I was saying.
Wireless Set No. 18 (Final part)
Curiously enough, though, my order at
G C ArnoldPartners, 9 Wetherby Close,
a bar was grasped perfectly by the bar-
Broadstone, Dorset BH18 8J8, England
tender and in no time a cool glass of Phone/FAX: 0202 658474
beer stood in front of me.
28 M91431 Christmas 1993
N THE 1870s the Signal Service (Following delays due to bad weath
of the United States Army main er) I proceeded to Falls Field Tuesday,
tained telegraph stations at the 3rd of September, and having xed
principal lakes, seaports, and river the instruments in position in the car of
cities, providing weather reports, river the balloon, made continuous observa-
reports, warnings of danger to seafarers, tions from 2h. 53m. 155 pm. until 4h.
reports of earthquakes and other disas- 30m. 105. pm. when the car was attached
ters, and so on. to the balloon pre-
In 1872, an paratory to starting.
experiment was
Up, Up and Away!
The ination pro-
carried out to see if ceeded slowly until
it was practicable to Early Tests of a shortly before 5
take meteorologi Weather Reporting System pm, when the hose
cal observations was cast off, and the
from a balloon for aeronaut and myself
subsequent transmission through the got into the car.
telegraph system. The following is ex- After testing the lifting power of the
tracted from the ofcial report of the balloon and getting the car properly bal
ofcer conducting this experiment. lasted, the last rope was cast off, and we
started our aerial voyage at 5.03 pm,
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, Washington time...
September 5, 1872. I took readings from Greens aneroid
GENERAL: In accordance with Special barometer, and the dry and wet bulb ther-
Order No. 103, dated Ofce of the Chief mometers of Glaishers hygrometer. .. Tif
Signal-Ofcer of the Army, August 16, fanys aneroid barometer was also read
1872, and written instructions previously from the time of starting until 5.10 pm.
received from you, I proceeded to Roch when it ceased to register... I made, on
ester, New York, to make such observa- an average, two observations a minute
tions as you had directed, in the balloon sometimes getting three and at others
Aurora, which was expected to ascend only one a minute.
from Falls Field, Rochester, on Thurs- As the object of this voyage was to
day, the 29th day of August, at 3 pm... ascertain how many observations could
Professor Samuel A. King, the aero- be taken in a given space of time, and to
naut, had selected his balloon Aurora for see if it was practicable to use the balloon
this ascension. This balloon and the car for making meteorological observations
belonging to it were made in France, and with any degree of accuracy and safety,
have been used by Professor King in I devoted my attention entirely to this
various ascensions during the past two duty, and did not take any time to observe
or three years, the capacity being about the view of the country over which the
20 000 cubic feet... balloon was passing, excepting an occa-
M9161 Cn'stmas 1993 29
sional glance when attention was espe- small lake which, from its position, I
cially called to anything by the aeronaut. judged to be Lake Canandaigua. At our
I made one hundred and fty six greatest elevation the air was quite chilly,
observations while in the balloon. The the breath being perceptible as in winter,
following day I made forty seven obser- although I did not feel at all inconveni-
vations, at the house of Mr. Timothy enced by the change, being provided with
Buell, a few rods from where we descend- warm clothing...
ed... A detailed After reaching our
description of the greatest elevation, and
voyage in narrative descending again, we
form is embodied in moved along at a
my report, as of gen height sufciently near
eral interest, and, also, the earth to enable us
adding to the value of to converse with men
the data obtained. at work in the elds.
We left the earth They were apparently
amid the shouts of the much surprised at our
thousands of specta- appearance above
tors and ascended them, and inquired fa-
quite rapidly, moving cetiously where we
a little south of east. came from, and what
The temperature de- we were doing up
creased considerably there, and where we
as we arose above the intended going; which
earth, falling 20 de interrogatories were
Another investigation by balloon.
grees in ten minutes. answered to their en-
French philosophers Lussac and Biot
The sky was per- tire satisfaction by
check the effects on electrical and
fectly cloudless, and a Professor King... We
magnetic phenomena of distance from
light north-west wind were unable to plot our
the earths surface
prevailed. The aero course to any degree
From Harpeis New Monthly Magazine, July 1869
naut estimated our of certainty, owing to
speed at about 30 our ignorance of the
miles an hour... country passed over.
The noise of the crowd below was Upon my return to Rochester, I ob-
soon hushed, and for a while; the only tained a copy of a telegraphic dispatch
sound perceptible was the rumbling of to the editor of the Union, dated Lima,
the railroad trains. This soon ceased, and Livingston County, at 6.20 p.m., New
perfect stillness reigned supreme for a York Central Railroad time about twelve
short time, broken only by the voice of minutes faster than Washington time
the aeronaut remarking upon the magni- sent by the telegraph-operator, giving, at
cent view spread out before us... that moment, 6h.8m. pm. of my time,
The aeronaut called my attention to a our distance from Lima at about six miles
30 MWBI Cristmas 1993
east of there, descending slowly in a my messages to you with all possible
southeasterly direction. dispatch...
This coincides with our position so It would seem from this experiment
far as I could ascertain, and can be used that there is a reasonable degree of assur-
as a check in plotting our course. This ance that, with the same amount of care
dispatch was received by the observer at exercised in this ascension, the balloon
Rochester at 6.30 pm, when he discon- can be used for making more elaborate
tinued his special observations... meteorological observations without risk
Professor King nally decided to de- to the instruments.
scend, as it was gettingtoward nightfall. Very respectfully,
He requested a man in the eld below us your obedient servant,
to take hold of the guide-rope. The man GEORGE C. SCHAEFFER, JR.,
was then directed to take a turn around Observer, Signal-Service,
the fence with the rope. We were then United States Army.
gradually lowered until the car rested on Brig. General ALBERT]. MYER,
the ground, touching the earth without any Chief Signal-Ofcer 0f the Army,
jar to the instruments whatever. While the Washington City, D. C.
car was held down by willing hands, I
took my last observation at 6h. 21m. p.m. . .. (Source: Report of the Chief
The eld proved to be on the farm, Signal-Ofcer for 1872)
within a few rods of the house, of Mr.
Timothy Buell, being about two miles MM Update
east of East Bloomeld railroad-station, East Bloomeld today is the home
which is a little east of the village of of the Museum of the Antique Wireless
that name, about six miles west of Association, which we hope to report on
Canandaigua and some twenty-four miles in a later issue. Bruce Kelley, WZICE-
from Rochester. AN, Curator of the Museum, tells us, I
After taking one more observation and know exactly where the farm is located,
putting the instruments in a safe position, about two miles from the AWA muse-
I drove down to the Western Union tele- um. East Bloomeld hasnt changed
graph-ofce, at East Bloomeld, and ad- much in the past 100 years... and fortu-
vised you at once of my arrival on the nately the urban movement from nearby
earth again, and the success of this the Rochester hasnt affected us much...
rst Signal-Ofce balloon ascension for Furthermore, Timothy Buell, grand-
meteorological purposes. son of the Timothy Buell of 1872, still
I would mention here the courtesy of lives on the Buell Farm, on the same
Mr Cheney, the manager of the Western road that Bruce himself lives on. In
Union Telegraph Company at Rochester, fact, as at April 1990, when Bruce gave
in putting under my orders one of his MM this information, Mr Buells father
messengers, with blanks, &c., so that I (son of the original Timothy) was still
could inform you at once of our departure alive, 21 very elderly gentlemen, but
from Falls Field, and also in forwarding living now in a nursing home. MM
MWI - Crishnas 1993 31
F YOU EVER GET the chance to again. Of all the woes experienced by
look at machine-decoded Morse, beginners who write to me after attempt-
youll be surprised at how many ing to copy real Ham Morse, by far the
Hams send Farnsworth spaced code greatest numbers are discouraged by
above 30 wpm, at least some of the hearing bad spacing. If youre talking
time. That is, the characters within words to a new Ham, consciously increase your
will often appear separated by spaces spacing!
because the sender has paused too long
between them. Is a New Q-Signal Required?
The senders are using keyers, and Tom Derden writes that, although
are able to form fast characters. But they licensed 42 years ago and holding a
need a little extra time between charac- PMG 25 wpm ticket, the phosphorous
ters to get the mind programmed for the supplies in his thinking apparatus have
next one. Humans arent usually aware become depleted with the passing years.
of this, but computers can tell. Hence, although happy to send at 25
Youll also see (but computers wpm, be much prefers to receive at
wont be able to decode) slower hams 12 wpm.
sending inverse There is a uni
Farnsworth
versal convention
Morse, where the that if I send at 25
spacing between Computers and wpm, hell send
characters is less back at 25 wpm,
than standard. Morse but Tom wishes
These are often there was some
hand-key senders by Gary Bold ZL1AN abbreviation that
who are trying to means Im happy
send faster than to send fast but
they really can by simply (and sub would you please send slowly? If you
consciously) reducing the spacing. say PSE QRS 12, but then send at
Sometimes a word will come out 25, the other station will come back
as just one long character. People with at 25 despite the request.
whom theyve been talking for 40 years This is doubtless true its puzzling
will decode this mystifying sequence to receive a request to slow down, and
with complete accuracy, and send equally then nd the other operator doesnt. Do
mystifying stuff back. After long ex- others have this problem?
perience, one can mentally parse the
element string into its most likely Good Convention
character composition. But dont expect Of course, as T 0m agrees, the equal
to do this if youre a beginner. speed convention is usually a good one
Ive said it before, and Ill say it it stops people getting out of their

32 {Mill/31 C/in'shnas 1993


league before theyre ready. But I have wide as the receiver audio bandwidth
some sympathy with Toms request. (all frequencies are present at once) while
Occasionally I have worked conrmed the peep is a single frequency tone burst.
SSB only hams who have just decided The mind automatically rejects the
to try out their new computer on CW. crash by using spectral information. The
While their receiving is rusty they can simplest Morse decoding interface is a
often type quite fast. rectifier feeding a threshold detector
I have found it helpful to say You which changes a logic level when
can send as fast as you like. Ill send the peak value of the incoming audio
back at 12 which I can set up quite exceeds a threshold value. This will
easily on the computer. Then I can fill trigger on noise as well.
my buffer (typing at 40 wpm) to empty
out at 12 while I sh around my les for Experiment
some useful bit of information which We improve things by adding band-
maybe this person wants. Thus the con- pass ltering in from the receiver, be-
versation rattles along at a better rate cause this will reduce the noise amplitude
and hopefully my contact is enthused to by rejecting high and low frequency
continue with CW and raise his receiv- components. But all noise crashes still
ing speed also. have some energy at the incoming
Its interesting that most hams, hear- signal frequency and on low level
ing Im sending CW with a computer, signals theyll still cause false detection.
assume its copying for me too. I To see that this is true do the following
NEVER use the computer for copying. experiment:
Computers simply cant decode well Look at the audio signal of your
enough in bad conditions. receiver on an oscilloscope while listen-
Has anybody any useful contribution ing to the Morse. Ill guarantee that even
for Tom? with the CW lter in youll still be able
to read low signal level Morse with your
Reading Morse with Computers ears in deep fades even when theres
Why cant computers decode Morse little perceptible difference to the eye on
as well as humans? Heres the first the scope screen. And youll see the
reason: The interface between the re- frequent higher amplitude noise pulses,
ceiver and the computer has (with cur- easily rejected by the brain, which will
rent technology) to work predominantly be falsely interpreted by the interface as
in the time domain. But the human signal; also the surprisingly large fad-
decoder incorporates background ing variations which make it impossible
information from the frequency domain to accurately set threshold levels for the
as well. audio-to-digital Morse converter.
Example: A human can tell the dif-
ference between a symbol (which goes Some Way Off
peep) and a static burst (which goes Even a phase locked loop interface,
crash). The crash has a spectrum as which ostensibly does work in the
Mil/Bl Cristmas 1993 33
frequency domain, cant cope. Firstly,
it will still respond to signals anywhere
in the lock range, including noise com-
5:401? 93%
ponents, and in addition PLLs are non- Testing and Context
linear devices with locking and Under normal situations, unless the text
unlocking behaviour that becomes is coded, the receiving operator expects
erratic on low level or noisy signals. it to make sense. The expert operator
I know how to x this. IfI had an will normally correct minor spelling
array processor on my computer, and errors, etc., as he goes. Sometimes in
could do about 100 audio power testing for code prociency the tester
spectral estimates per second, each of resorts to purposeful miss-spellings, etc.
64 points, and process these fast enough, A serious question is in order here;
I could implement an algorithm to is this a legitimate test? The less skilled
replicate the brains frequency domain are likely to be thrown by the irregu-
performance. larity, while the skilled will overlook it;
But Id need about 100 times the raw so ifthe tester is using it as a criterion of
performance of the C64 system I run, prociency he may be making a serious
and were talking about $100000. So mistake. If he wants to check accuracy
Morse-reading computers that emulate of character identication a far superior
humans are some way off for most of us. way is to send mixed text.
Its nice to beat them at something! Wm G. Pierpont NOHFF
(Adapted for MM from The Morse
man column by Gary Bold in Break-In, Novice News of the Month
journal of NZART September 1988 and We have a wireless telegraphy appara-
January/February1992) tus in our Boy Scouts and there is no
doubt about its popularity. This is not a
COMINGSOON' toy set but a real complete station with
a range of 10 miles... Every Scout
has to know Morse well before he is
admitted to the wireless patrol...
Stockwell Troop (BP Scouts),
Captain Masterman s Own.
byLouise RamseyMoreau W3WRE (From Wireless World, Vol 1, No 1,
April 1913. Contributed by Bill Guest)

IN THE NEXT ISSUE: BACK ISSUES - Limited


Progress by Mr Marconi - 1909 stocks of Issues Nos. 20, 21,
Airship Over the Pole 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30 ONLY
Rudder Joke
plus all the regulars!
MnIcat now available,
at 2.20 each to UK addresses,
2.25 overseas (surface mail)

34 M91431 C/iristmas 1993


Boobhe Mac-Key Blue Book by Tom French
If youre interested in the bugs made by Ted
McElroy (Mac-Keys),bring this booklet along
A mail order book service for selected telegraphy to all the hamfests and ea markets.
and radio titles. The letters MM or RB followed 16 pages, 5/2 x 8'/2in, paperback, saddlewire
by a number after each description indicate the bound 3.15 (UK): 3.40 (Eur/Sur)
magazine and issue in which a review appeared.
The prices quoted for each title are inclusive of Keys, Keys, Keys by Dave Ingram K4TWJ
The key story from the 18005 right up to the
postage and packing, the rst gure being for
despatch to UK addresses, the second for des- present day. Hand keys, bugs and automat-
patch to the rest of Europe by airmail or else- ics, military, home-made, unusual and rare keys,
where in the world by surface mail. Airmail rates plus restoration. (RBI 3 )
for the rest of the world on request, or if you are 102 pages, 7x 10in, paperback
using your credit card we can ship by air at your 6.55 (UK): 6.95 (Eur/Sur)
instruction, simply adding the difference in postal
cost to your bill. -NEWTITLE-
SEND YOUR ORDER TO: McELROY,Worlds Champion Radio
I
G C Arnold Partners, 9 Wetherby Close, Telegrapher by Tom French
Broadstone, Dorset BH18 SIB, England, I A biography of Ted McElroy, holder of world I
record for Morse reception since 1939,
marking the envelope MM Bookshelf. plusl
photos and details of all the Mac-Keys.
Payment accepted by Access, Eurocard, Master
card or Visa (quote your card number and expiry
I 150 pages, 8'/2 x 11in, softcover, perfect bound I
14.70 (UK): 15.40 (Eur/Sum
date), or by cheque, draft or postal orders. Over-
seas cheques and drafts must be payable in Ster-
|_
ling, and drawn on a London Clearing Bank. RADIO BOOKS
MAKE CHEQUES, ETC., PAYABLE T0 A First Class Jobl
G C ARNOLD PARTNERS.
Joan Longs biography of her father, Frank
Murphy, founder of Murphy Radio.
Introductionto Key Collecting by Tom French 209 pages, 53/4 x 8%in, paperback
What to look for, where to nd them... with 8.50 (UK); 9.30 (Eur/Sur)
photos and original ads. (MM17)
64 pages, 7x 8'/zin, softcover, saddlewirebound 70 Years of Radio Valves & Tubes

6.45 (UK): 6.75 (Eur/Sur) by John W. Stokes


A profusely illustrated book recording the world-
Vibroplex Collectors Guide by Tom French wide development of the valve from its origins
Identifying parts of a bug and distinguishing the in the experiments of Thomas Edison in 1880.
seven look-alike Vibroplex bugs. Methods of 247 pages, 8'/2 x I 1 in, paperback
adjustment. All major Vibroplex patents (MMI 7) 20.50 (UK): 21.00 (Eur/Sur)
87 pages, 8% x 11in, softcover, perfect bound
9.65 (UK): 10.15 (Eur/Sur) Radio! Radio! by Jonathan Hill
The essential reference work for collectors of
Bunnells Last Catalog (with commentary)
domestic receivers. Almost 1000 sets illustrated,
by Tom French (American Morse Series) with comprehensive AZ index.
The 1965 catalog of 1.1-1. Bunnell & Co, manu 244 pages, 8V2 x 11/4in, signed and numbered
facturer of keys, sounders, etc., abridged from hardback 28.50 (UK): 29.00 (Eur/Sur)
the 1918 catalog, plus a commentary and 3
1918/1965 price list. (MM23) -NEWTITLE-|
36 pages, 5'/2 x 8'/2in, softcover, saddlewire The RACAL Handbook by Rinus Jansen
bound 4.65 (UK): 4.85 (Eur/Sur) IPhotos, specs and descriptions of Racall
Railroad Telegraphers Handbook communication equipment from 1956 to 1975, I
by Tom French (American Morse Series) reproduced from company technical publicity
Illustrations of landline telegraph equipment, leaets, plus additional information and com
listings of train order rules, and ads from early ment from the author. New allEnglish language I
telegraphers magazines. (MM22) edition, with improved print and picture quality.
60 pages, 7x 8/2in, softcover, saddlewirebound I 102 pages, 8% x 113/4in, paperback
6.45 (UK): 6.75 (Eur/Sur) 13.00 (UK): 13.75
L. (Eur/Sum
{Mm/31 Christmas 1993 35
NCE UPON A TIME in happened to spit onto the snow-covered
the long long ago, or more deck where my spittle made a RED spot!
precisely in the month Dear God! This was the moment I had
of January 1920, I found myself in been dreading for most of my short life.
Constantinople (now called Istanbul). I My mother, who had died before my
was just eighteen years of age and had second birthday, died from what was
been a ships radio ofcer for just over then called gallopingconsumption. The
a year. The tramp fear, nay the belief,
steamer on which I that I was destined
was serving had
brought four thou-
The Reprieve to go the same way
had been with me
sand tons of Welsh since my child-
coal to this the most hood, but still the
exciting city I shock when it came
could hope to visit. was overwhelming.
A month earlier My lungs were
immediately upon breaking up and it
learning of our des was only a question
tination I had spent of time, a very short
many eager hours time.
in Cardiff city li I coughed and
brary reading all I spat fty times a
could nd regard day and the size of
ing the city found- the red spots on the
ed by Constantine snow were the
the Great in the measure of my
by John Lingard Sykes G3SHK
year 330AD, con speed to the grave;
quered by the walk, trot, canter,
forces of Islam, re- gallop. Worst of
captured and held for a space by '
all there was no-one in whom I could
the Crusaders and nally taken by conde. If the captain should learn of
Mahommed II on the 29th of May 1453 my illness he would almost certainly
to become the capital of the Turkish send me to hospital and the thought
Empire. The Dardanelles, the Bosporus, of dying in a Muhammadan hospital
the Golden Horn, mosques, minarets, attended by janissaries, eunuchs, concu
concubines, Turkish delight! Oh, what bines and houris (whatever they were)
a time I was going to have! lled me with horror. Better be buried at
But alas, it was not to be. The weath sea by my own shipmates who might
er turned very cold and I developed a well remember me all the way back to
severe cough. I thought little of it until I Cardiff.
36 MEL/31 Christmas 1993
Time speeded on and still I lived. came revelation and my heart almost
The port was congested and we contin burst with joy; my GUMS were bleed
ued to wait for a berth to discharge our ing, not my LUNGS. I sank to my knees
cargo. But all thoughts of exploring the and thanked God for my pink toothbrush.
city were forgotten and my sole trip More than fty years later I was to
ashore was spent searching for cod-liver comfort my young granddaughter with
oil and Owbridges Lung Tonic. I found this true story after nding her sobbing
neither. her heart out over her own stained tooth-
My agony continued for a full month brush.
and then one morning at my wash basin Circumstances truly alter cases. MM

FISTS CW Club- The International Morse Preservation Society


FISTS exists to promote amateur CW activity. It welcomes members with
all levels of Morse prociency, and especially newcomers to the key.
The club has awards, nets (including a beginners net), dial-a-sked for
beginners, straight key activities, QSL bureau, newsletter, and discounts
trom traders.
Further informationcan be obtained from Geo. Longden (53208, 119
Cemetery Road, Darwen, Lancs BB3 2L1 Send an s.a.e. or two IRCs

G-QRP Club
The G-QFiP Club promotes and encourages Iow--power operating
on the amateur bands with activity periods, awards and trophies. Facilities
include a quarterly magazine Morse training tapes kits, traders discounts
and a QSL bureau. Novices and SWLs welcome.
Enquiries to Rev. George Dobbs G3RJV, St Aidans Vicarage,
498 Manchester Road, Ftochdale, Lanes OL11 3HE Send a
large 3. a.e. or two lFiCs

Readers 34135 EXCHANGE


Bulgarian key collector with various
duplicate keys wishes to arrange swaps
WANTED for western keys. Please write with
Reels of perforated tape (as shown details of what you have and what
on back cover of MM29) for use in you want to: Minko Lubmirov LZlXL,
Morse sender. Maurice Small GOHJC, 8 PO Box 6, Sofia 1373,
Bulgaria.
Cherry Tree Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire
OX9 4QY. Tel: 0844-351694.
Copy of MM Issue No 23. Neil Fisher
GMOEFQ, l Parsonage Cottages, Mill-
hill Lane, Musselburgh, Midlothian
EH21 7RD, phone 031-665 1631.

M9181 Cristmas 19.93


HAT OLDESTABLISHED The military ex-
INSTITUTION, the Q-code, is perienced this prob
tottering on its pedestal! lem when they adopted
The apparently meaningless three- the Z-code. The possibil
letter groups, so carefully put together ity of making jokes or rude words
by former generations which profes- beginning with Z was a welcome
sionals shook out of their sleeves at will, distraction for military telegraphers!
and which were So it had to be
used by ofcial Q!
services around the
world have been GUS? A comprehen-
sive Q-code book
devalued. A Capricious Contemplation has at least 250
It was foresee- of the Q-code codes, methodical-
able, of course. ly arranged in sec
Even the most ar- tions for army,
dent Morse enthu by Rinus Hellemons PAOBFN (SK)
navy, airforce,
siast cant deny that meteorological use,
this invention, after etc. Obviously it is
serving mankind for so long, is in its last not possible to know them all by heart,
dragged down by the inevitable but a professional knows the specic
years
decline of another invention, that of the codes for his job plus the general trafc
wellknown artist and sculptor. The Q codes used by all telegraphers.
code is specically and inextricably The inevitable decline in profes-
linked with his code the Morse code! sional Morse telegraphy will, however,
Of course, some Q-codes lead a lan- see the end of the good old trustworthy
guishing professional existence in telex, Qcode, which will become an odd
TOR, and afliated printing techniques, peculiarity practised by the few, nally
and even microphonepush-button disappearing into the mists of history.
experts let out the occasional Q-belch.
But the true purpose of the code is to The Last Bulwark
improve efciency in Morse tele- There is, however, one last bulwark,
graphy. Why was it called the Q-code? against which the storms of time have
Obviously because all the groups began beaten in vain Amateur Radio! But
with a Q. Big surprise! salvation for the Q-code doesnt really
lie here either. Amateurs use just 15
But Why the Q? codes at the most, and with little left of
It was to create as little confusion as their original meanings!
possible with other threeletter words, Im not talking about the QN codes
since in most languages there is little (second letter N) created specically
use of the letter Q. for amateur use, but about the original

38 {WM/Bl
- Christmas 1993
Q-codes. What is left of those? I know I cant bring back the ori-
This is not a crusade against the ginal meaning of QTH to the ham
prospective loss of the Qcode. There is world, and that the mis-use of QRZ?
no sense in weeping over the inevitable. is virtually legalised in contests. But I
In some books you can read about its am still irritated when I hear QRL?
former universal character; how it immediately before CQ CQ CQ, and
facilitated communication in all lan- when German TV (again incorrectly)
guages of the world. And how nice it is uses QAM for its weather report.
to read this: One world, one language = It doesnt seem right either, when a
Morse (Q) code! Morse enthusiast obviously doesnt
Truly an attractive concept, but it know the proper codes. However, when
reminds me too much of a slogan from in QSO, he says he has to answer the
about 50 years ago which also never call of nature and uses QAU its a
came to fruition. humorous situation. It shows that he is
Theres not a great deal to be gained cut from the right wood and probably
today by the dedicated Morse-amateur knows most of his other codes.
in telling his Japanese brother his It is refreshing, also, to listen to a
magnetic course to reach you with no contact between a [MM station and an
wind (QDM); or that a doctor is aboard ex-sparks ashore. Q-codes abound and
(QSQ); or that he is airborne (QTO) the true signicance and value of the
Not really! code becomes apparent.
Ex-sparks excluded, repeat to your- Its true that amateurs have plenty
self the Q-codes you use regularly! of time and have no urgent need to
Do you know the difference between abbreviate signals, but the loss is still
QSA and QRK? Congratulations! theirs! It is the loss of a precious gift
You sometimes hear on telephony, from the professionals. The loss of that
QSAS, strength 9!; or thanks for the mysterious atmosphere which used to
pleasant QSL. Admittedly they are characterise Morse ~ an atmosphere
phone-boys, but do you know, for ex- some of us still cant forget! MM
ample, the meaning of QRI?
QSO? QSV? QTR? QSG? QRH?
QSM? Do you know that QRA-locator Just Remember!
doesnt make sense? Look it up! Seen on the wall of a freight-handlers
ofce. When it goes in a rail car, its a
Communicating shipment; when it goes in a ship, its
Q-signals are for communicating cargo.
and are not intended for exclusive use Contributed by Charles P. Krause N7ESJ
in specic areas of activity. Every
Morse communicator should have a
good knowledge of them in the interest
of those better CW-QSOs we all like
to have. but when a loco goes on a ship ?

MEM31 - Cnstmas 1993 39


T THIS QTH the writer is a So it was most interesting to come
simple soul, and uses only across a simple nineties CW design for
CW for reception and receiving and printing out Morse code.
transmission. After all, CW is a language In the nineties (to be more precise
of its own. Time-honoured techniques 1894!) Sir Oliver Lodge made what was
are used such as a pair of headphones, a reputed to be the rst printed recording
pencil and large pad, and a rst class of Morse reception using point-to-point
straight key. In wireless transmis-
spite of this, there sion over a distance
have, over the
years, been short
A cw Readout of several hundred
yards.
forays to try other
techniques, always Printer for the The transmitter
was a Hertz oscil-
returning in due
course to the head- Nineties lator with a Spark
Coil and battery,
phones, pencrl, keyed With a Morse
by Richard 0. Mam-s GZBZQ
pad, and straight key. It is interest-
key. Nevertheless, ing to note that if
a heady eye is kept the key was held
on the latest techniques and equipment down the spark coil produced around 20
always being promulgated. sparks in each second of time.

Battery Battery
A 'B
I: I:
II II

Coherer Relay

0 --
Tension
spring Inker
O A

_
Trembler
\
Contact

4o Mil/31 Christmas 1993


The circuit shows the novel receiver produced around 20 sparks each second,
used. In operation, each transmitted every time the key was depressed for a
spark produced arrived at the coherer dot or dash several sparks were pro-
and reduced its resistance so that battery duced. This apparently did not matter as
A sent an enlarged current to the the relay/inker/trembler combination
electromagnet of the relay and closed could not respond to this high speed.
the'relay contact. The closing of this If a keyed dot was made it pro-
contact applied battery B to the Inker duced perhaps 4 sparks but only one
which made a mark as the current short mark (a dot) was made on the
flowed through it. paper. A keyed dash produced maybe
Simultaneously current flowed 12 sparks and a longer printed mark
through the trembler so that its hammer (a dash) on the paper. This apparently
hit the coherer to restore its high resist- started the wireless telegraphy trans
ance. Thus current was reduced through mission era.
the relay, its contact opened and the It was all very simple and technic-
Inker was withdrawn from the paper. ally sound. What a pity Spark transmis-
This operation was repeated every time sion is now illegal it all sounds like a
the transmitter Morse key was closed. lot of fun! MM
Hopefully, dear reader, you are still with (See also The First Radio Telegraph
this sequence of events! Transmission, by Rowland F. Pocock,
Of course, as the spark transmitter MMI4, p1.)

nders for Morsum Magmcat


Tidy up your bookshelf
with these attractive binders.
Covered in a hard-wearing red grained finish,
with the magazine title blocked in gold on the
front cover, each binder holds eight issues of
the magazine, retained by strong wires, but
easily removable should the need arise.
Price 5.20 each to UK addresses (inc. VAT).
Overseas addresses by surface mail:
EC countries - 6.11 (inc. VAT);
Rest of the world 5.20 (no VAT).
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Send your order with a cheque or postal order
or credit card details (number and expiry) to:
G C Arnold Partners, 9 Wetherby Close,
Broadstone, Dorset BH18 8JB, England
Overseas payments must be in Sterling

MM31 C/iristmas 1993 41


CCORDING TO Webster years, is still in its infancy. (WUTCo
the word POSTAL is had been buying up dozens of small
shown as having to do regional telegraph companies.)
with mail or post ofce. How come The bills did not pass in Congress,
an electromagnetic telegraph system but, to make a long story short, an
acquired such a name? entrepreneur, Clarence W. Mackay had
Back in the late 18603, several bills forged in 1894 a few domestic telegraph
were introduced in lines into a system
Congress propos- to begin competi-
ing that the US
Government con- The Postal Telegraph tion with the
WUTCo, He
struct and operate named it the
telegraph wire lines Company POSTAL TELE-
for the public GRAPH COMPA
from Washington by Donald K. deNeuf WA 18PM (SK)
NY presumably
to New York and to make it psycho
Boston as an ex logically easier for
ample. Another bill proposed the acquisition by the Postmaster General
simple purchase of all existing lines in if the earlier bills should be passed, and
the country and that the Government especially if he found he could not
operated system should fall under the compete with WUTCo. But his system
direction of the Postmaster General grew rapidly and successfully as an
Cresswell and should be named the effective competitor, and by 1929
POSTAL TELEGRAPH COMPANY. embraced some 386 000 miles of wire
At this time there was great resentment lines, with connections to the Canadian
against the Western Union Telegraph Pacic Railroad telegraph system,
Company. Cresswell quoted the presi- overseas submarine cable circuits, and
dent of the WUTCo as reporting to his the Mackay Radio System.
directors The time is not far distant when In 1946, however, the Postal system
the WUTCo will be without a single phased out and became part of the
substantial competitor in the conduct domestic Western Union Telegraph
of a business which, not withstanding Company except for its Mackay Radio
the enormous growth of the last seven and its overseas cable systems. MM

7051al legvapb
Mackay Radio ? (Ill anterica Cables.
Comrnetcral Cables Canadian Funfic Telegraphs

42 M/Bl Cristmas 1993


your Letters
Readers letters on any Morse subject are always welcome, but may be edited when space
is limited. When more than one subject is covered, letters may be divided into single
subjects in order to bring comments on various matters together for easy reference

Media CW ual, NATO stock No. 5965-99-653-4274.


Further to my letter about QAM on the photo is too small to identify it, but it
ARD (MM25, p.43) I am sorry to report appears to be about the same size as the
that although ARD (1st channel German Key WT 8 Amp.
public TV-network) is now available via Other snippets from Janes include:
TV-satellite Astra 1C, and can be seen The Chinese are apparently still using
in at least the south of England, QAM two manpack/vehicle sets that are CW
is no more! only! The Italian SRT112/B HF SSB
This CW-tone signal had been broad- set is issued with a J-38 key mounted on
cast with weather bulletins for more than a rectangular base.
a quarter of a century and Germanys Racal supply the MA.2238 micro-
post-war generations grew up with it. processor based Morse Training Unit to
Sadly, from the date of the new satellite the UK and other armed forces.
transmissions, 27.8.93, ARD abandoned More unusual is the French
QAM and with it a great tradition! TSM5152A&B Transmitter/Receiver
Im wondering if any German hams, for Underwater Telephony which in-
or even DARC, protested about this and cludes a Morse facility and is issued
if, as a result, theres any hope of getting with a key having a rounded cover with
our good old QAM back! a protruding adjuster.
Monika Pouw-Arnold PA3FBF Stan Barr GOCLV
Miidrecht, Holland Wirral, Merseyside
(MM will welcome other Morse snip-
Military Miscellany pets, military or otherwise, including
I have been browsing through Janes further information expanding on any
Military Communications and I notice of the above, if known. Ed.)
that virtually all military HF gear in-
cludes 3 CW facility. When discussing Abbreviationsand Procedures
the current British Clansman equip- I agree with W4FOK (MM28, p.44)
ment, it says: A narrow-band Morse that we need an exclamation mark, and
facility, which has been found very use
ful for long-range patrol work, is also
that ------ is still used for the
purpose by some operators. Regarding
built into the HF sets.
The list of ancillary equipment for
the suggested use of ---- this is in
current use for the German O-umlaut
Clansman includes: Key telegraph man- and the Scandinavian barred 0 (ref. Tgl,
Mill/Bl Christmas 1993 43
Division B of the ITU Maritime Mobile OR underline.
Manual). Two other signals that are not used
Maybe amateurs could use very often are:
----------
to the
(an extension
of Hi
similar AU barred, --- -- = fraction coming
growth Hi to Hi) which up; and
preserves the traditional symbol but
avoids confusion with the comma. Of
VU barred, ------- = dollar sign ($).
John N. Elwood WW7P
course, if amateurs ever become the only Phoenix, Arizona, USA
people still using Morse we can just
dump the comma! Left-handed Bugs
Bob Eldridge VE7BS In reply to Boris Real (MM29, p.43),
Pemberton, BC, Canada Vibroplex for many years (and perhaps
even now) offered left-handed versions
With regard to Jim Farriors letter of their bugs. They still show up at ham
(MM29, p.39), I dont have a preWWII radio conventions in the USA on occa
list of Z-signals, but it is of interest to sion, but are decidedly scarce.
compare those he mentioned with their In addition, the Dow Corporation of
meanings given in the January 1949 Joint Winnipeg, and Warren, Minnesota, made
Communications Instructions; and the their unique rotatable Dow semi-auto-
April 1986 Communications Instruc- matics so that the pendulum could be
tions, Operating Signals. used at any angle, including 180 for
ZMA (preWWII, per Jim) I have a mes- left-handed use (see photograph, right);
sage; (1949 ZMA barred) What was and the famous Melehan Valiant, a fully
bearing of unknown station (or station automatic mechanical keyer, came in a
using callsign ...) at (time) (on left-handed version.
kcs (or mcs); (1980) as 1949, but fre- David R. Pennes, MD, WA3LKN
quencies in kHz and MHz. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
ZOT (pre-WWII) Go ahead; (1949) not
listed; (1980) Transmit or handle this Adelaide & Other Museums Closed
message at the lower precedence to the Since Richard L. Thomas wrote his
station or address designator(s) which story Telegraph Highlights in the Ad
follow(s). elaide Museum (MM27, p.18), Tele-
ZFD (preWWII) Send Vs; (1949) This com Australia has seen t to close down
message is a suspected duplicate; (1980) all its museums, of which Adelaide was
as 1949. by far the best as far as Telegraphy is
In the same issue (p.40) Reg Prosser concerned.
felt the need for some procedure to indi- However, all is not lost, an enterpris-
cate capital letters. I never used it in the ing chap in Adelaide, who has just taken
Air Force, but the signal to indicate that retirement from Telecom as a techni
the following word is a proper noun, cian, has obtained some space in the
etc. and should be capitalised is IMA rear of a suburban telephone exchange
barred, ----- - , meaning capital letter and I understand he plans to reestablish
44 Mill/31 Christmas 1993
Dow rotatable semi-automatic key
Collection/photo:Murray Willer VE3FFiX

some sort of working display with an heard in each episode, with the German
emphasis on Telegraphy. army tracking down CW-broadcasts in
Also, the old Asheld Post Ofce, a Holland.
suburban post ofce about seven miles I recorded the introduction and
west of the Sydney GPO, has been hand ending which had several CW stations
ed over to some more enterprising types fading in and out, sending groups of _

and they have set up a good display of numbers at around 25 wpm, plus QRM,
equipment, again with the emphasis on and accompanied by numerous back
Telegraphy. ground violins (both harmonic and dis-
It usually opens Wednesdays, how- sonant pitch), with the whole exciting to
ever special arrangements were made to listen to!
open it on a Friday evening recently, the Unfortunately I cant remember
night before the annual general meeting details of the stars, etc., of this good
of the Sydney Morsecodians Fraternity. series which, surprisingly, has only
Incidentally, at the AGM, held on Sep- been rebroadcast once (1973/5) since
tember 23, we had a record attendance then. Has anyone seen the series in
of 173, plus a further 34 at an outposted other countries?
meeting at Ballina which we linked up Monika Pouw-Arnold PA3FBF
with by dialup Morse. Miidrecht, Holland
John Houlder
Charnwood, ACT, Australia The operator of F for Freddy in
the WWII movie Target for Tonight
Morse at the Movies sends some unauthentic Morse when in
I recall a German-made TV mini-series trouble on the way home from a raid. I
broadcast by ARD in 1971 called Die saw the movie when at RAF Lubeck,
rote Kapelle, dealing with the famous and in the audience were several wire-
group of spies in WWII. Naturally, there less ops familiar with the daily broad-
was a lot of Morse operating seen and casts from the Air Ministry.
MWI Cristmas 1993 45
When the Morse started coming it back!! I presume he also became a
through they were surprised to hear the perfectionist!
familiar daily idling callsign, and after On one extended voyage I passed a
hearing GFA/2/3 they all completed it short time constructing a bug key, the
by chanting dah-dah-dit di-di-dah-dit pendulum and paddle being a hacksaw
dah-dit di~di-di-dahdah, and broke into blade. Despite its Heath Robinson ap
laughter. pearance, it worked quite well.
Bob Eldridge VE7BS John Beech
Pemberton, BC, Canada Whitby, Yorks.
In my seagoing days, I too used bug
Semi-Automatics at Sea keys, connected across the standard-
Having recently read my initial copy issue Marconi 365A. At rst, I also had
of MM, Nr 29 (congratulations by the an Eddystone, but later changed to a
wayl), and the letters therein, especially 19503 Japanese model which I bought
those about semi-automatic keys, I am during a visit to Kobe (and still own).
reminded of a couple of instances dur- I found that the main problem in
ing my seafaring days. using a bug at sea was positioning it so
Ofcially, we Marconi operators as to reduce the effects of the motion of
were not supposed to use anything but the ship. Otherwise, when the ship rolled
the standard operational gear tted and one way, the key would send a string of
supplied. For many years, however, I dots all by itself, as the trembler arm
had my own semiautomatic key strapped came off the damper; but when it rolled
across the terminals of my standard t the other way, you could send no dots
ted straight key. It was, I believe, an at all, for the trembler was held fast
Eddystone, now long gone having been against the damper by gravity! Ed.
mislaid in transit during my travels. It
was an excellent device and sent nigh on Russian Collection
perfect Morse. I am proud to be a reader of MM. I am
On one occasion, I visited my oppo- 54 years old, I have been taking part in
site number on an American vessel. He radio sports for 36 years and have been
had a straight key supplied and tted to a radio amateur for 23 years. I obtained
his desk. In conversation he revealed an American licence (N7PLX) at the
that he had a Vibroplex bug which had GoodWill Games in Seattle in 1990,
been ofcially supplied by his employ and I am a member of EHSC, SHSC,
er. He had never used this, not being and U-QRQ-C.
conversant with its operation. I have a collection of 53 keys, and
On request, he produced this key, apart from many well-known keys, this
brand new and sparkling in its box, and includes a speed key made in Moscow
said I could have it! I then made the by the Electropribor factory before
foolish mistake of demonstrating its pro- WWII. I am wondering if other readers
ciency on the dummy aerial and he have seen or heard about this bug? I
immediately changed his mind and took also have a railway key of 1922 and
46 M91431 - Christmas 1993
Aircraft Identification Switchbox
I have only recently become a sub-
scriber to MM, although I operate on
CW quite a lot and have been collecting
keys for quite a while.
Concerning the article by Tony
Smith, (MM30, p.18), these devices, in
various constructions, all very similar,
were certainly fitted to the following air-
craft: Tempest V tted to starboard
The smallest key in the world? cockpit wall. Spitres IIA, IIB, VII, VIH,
IX, XI, XVI tted to starboard cockpit
others, military, naval, spy, training and wall, and were probably tted in all
so on. marks. Oxfords I and II tted to port
I enclose a photograph of the small- cockpit wall. Lysander III and IIIA
est key in my collection. It is posed in tted to starboard cockpit wall. Lancas-
the same manner as the one on page 7 of ters.
MM24. Mine is clearly smaller and I On some Spitres, a lever controlled
think must be smallest key in the world, colour lters of red, green and amber on
even smaller than the Lilliput key on the downward I.D. lamp. A check on the
page 5 of MM29! RNARS Firebrand torpedo ghter
I was very interested in the Lorenz bomber shows a totally different arrange-
key shown inside the back cover of ment and device, and appears to have
MM20, which came from a German two keys, mounted on the starboard
bomber shot down in Holland in 1940. cockpit wall.
My own Lorenz key has the following Gerry Farrance G3KPT
numbers: On top cover LN26906, on Birmingham
bottom of key LN26907, on plug assem
bly LN26908. V for Victory
The one shown in MM20 has the I found the article Aircraft Identica
number LN 26907 on its top cover. Is tion Switchbox by Tony Smith (MM30,
it possible that the bottom of my key p.18) very interesting. During WWII,
belongs to the top of the key from when in the Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm)
Holland? I clearly remember looking up on nu-
Valery Pakhomov UA3A0 merous occasions at night when RAF
Moscow, Russia Bombers ying overhead flashed the
(Please send us more information on letter V downwards. This must have
your miniature key, Valery, especially been from early 1945 onwards.
its dimensions. Does anyone else know The newspapers reported that the
about the Electropribor speed key? bombers were following the same prac-
Also, can anyone explain the numbering tice as they ew over France but I saw
system on the Lorenz keys? Ed.) it for myself over West London! Seeing

M91431 Christmas 1993 47


i
the letter V being ashed like this must
have gone a long way towards boosting
morale in France.
After reading the MM article, I won-
der whether those same switchboxes
\LD
)CALLING
ND 0 N

were used for sending the Vs? Does VERSEAS../


anyone know if, perhaps, more power-
ful lights were used for these signals?
Dick Johnson GZFFO
Burnley, Lanes London in Morse every Sunday. . a week
.

(We would like to hear from anyone in advance.


who can answer Dicks questions. Per- Does any reader remember hearing
haps some of our readers actually sent these Morse transmissions? Can anyone
some of those Vs? Ed.) provide any other information on them?
Please contact MM if you can help.
London Calling Overseas Ed.
Reader J. Brunton of Holywell,
Clwyd, has sent MM a copy of a BBC Other Applications for Morse Code
advertisement he found in a book While reading the magazine PC
H.M. Corvette by Nicholas Monsarrat, Format, I came across a letter from
published in 1942. someone whose computer seems to emit
The advertisement describes the a B in Morse when it comes across a
wartime overseas broadcasts of the nonfatal VRAM error.
BBC from London which, it says, men, Whether this is the computers or the
women, and even children risked VGA cards BIOS I dont know. His
imprisonment and death to hear. It card is a Diamond Viper.
also says Full details of all the pro- Reynir H. Stefansson
grammes in are broadcast from Reydarfjordur, Iceland
English

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48 Mill/[31 Christmas 1993


Morse Q5L5
A series of reproducrions of OSL cards with a Morse theme

yvw433"V
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we MBBLU m: Hm. mun nu CLUYCNER not "7le

**"?">'-J<'i'"
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m: unsukrn n4 umn

QFSDD
GERMAN AMATEUR - RADIOTELEGRAPHV- STATION

2//
WAC
RCC op WERNER
DA RC
DIG 2 3 8 O \
AGCW-DL489 - DOK=O13 . ZONE 14 -
4780 LIPPSTAD'T
PORTHCURNO TELEGRAPH MUSEUM

BAINS CHEMICAL TELEGRAPH - HORSE VERSION

TM Stud. TM Ruth".

Lang
6,

BAIE< :55"?
k,

Bain'l Chemied TelegnpP

EAINS CHEMICAL TELEGRAPH - FACSIMILE VERSION - M42

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