KW2000 and some BUgliness

Its been a while since I posted anything, I've not been doing much on the ham radio front, messing around with a old FT101B which is just about working now, few minor issues to resolve.

I also got my hands on a non running KW-2000E in good condition, I've just gotten motivated to start giving it a going over, Physically its in nice shape, I hope I can get it running!

British Collins

KW electronics was a British firm that existed in the 60s/70s owned by G8KW

On the British equipment theme next up is a Eddystone bug...... which actually looks like a bug of the beetle variety, pictured with a McElroy S-600 key, also an unusual looking bug, but a very pretty looking key.

Cover off the Eddystone

McElroy S600 on the Left and Eddystone S 689 on the Right.

Uniden 2830 VFO mod.

Recently I've become slightly frustrated by having to press the span button so often when adjusting frequency on the 2830, I'm not sure if its the Chipswitch mod with its 4th span position or just me getting old and lazy.

Anyway I recently had an idea, locate an encoder with a momentary push button function, 3 quid something later and I have something close enough to the original but with the push function.

Today I set to work, the plan was to connect the push button function of the new encoder to the span function of the radio, quite simple, after a quick mess about I got the encoder working as it should (ie changing the frequency correctly) and I'm in business.

The Encoder prepared, next time I'll mount it onto the original VFO pcb, this was the prototype :-)

The Encoder in its new home, also showing the position of the wires piggybacked onto the original SPAN wires.

Les Logan bugs

While not rare or that collectible these bugs are nice to use and rather interesting.

On the left a Les Logan reverse frame bug and on the right I assume it is a Les Logan due to the similarities in the hardware to the Reverse frame bug, its 2.5 inch wide Logans answer to the Blue Racer?

Time flies

Its been sometime since I updated my blog, I must make more of an effort to share my ramblings with the world in future.

Heres a picture of two interesting Bugs from my collection

On the Left is a Vibroplex Model X, its one of the more unusual Vibroplex keys in that it uses the same contact for both the dots and the dashes, the label has gone from this bug unfortunately, other than that its in good unrestored condition.

It dates from 1910-1920

***UPDATE*** It has been suggested to me by some that this key is not a vibroplex X but infact a AtoZ Model X, this maybe the case, hardware like the binding post and shape of base are more akin to AtoZ products than Vibroplex.

The bug on the Right is Vibroplex clone in direct violation of the Vibroplex patents of the time, this bug is made by a firm called AtoZ electric novelty co. of Chicago and cheekily called "Improved Vibroplex"

Vibroplex soon took legal action against a number of patent violators and won, they then offered to licence the illegal bugs for, the owner paid a fee, and the original label was removed and replaced with a tag saying that licence had been paid.

Vibroplex had threatened to sue any railroads that allowed operators to use unlicenced bugs, so needless to say many operators paid the fee.

This key retains its original label its in fair condition and pinstriping is still present, this bug dates from around 1914.