Numfier83 - Novemfier/Decemfier 2002

LesLoganSpeecfex‘Bllfl KeyI I I I I I I IThe International Journal of Morse Telegraphy

NewsGermany Moves to Keep

Code Tests

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club(DARC) in a submission “Morse codeand WRC 2003" to the IARU Region 1

Conference being held in San Marino inNovember. support the retentionofMorsecode as an amateur licence qualification.

It urgesall IARU Region 1 membersocieties to ask their radio authorities tokeep Morse code as an amateur licencetest requirement.

DARC argues that in all of theprevious discussion in the IARU Region1 about the obligatory knowledge ofMorse code. one major requirement notunder dispute is to keep the knowledgelevel of amateur radio examinations atleast at the current standard.

DARC seems to rely on this tomean that Morse code should continue asa licence requirement. "Morse codewatch" says time will tell if the DARCsubmission gains support from otherIARU Region 1 radio societies.

A vote ofDARC members earlierthis year narrowly supported retention ofthe code requirement.

DARC also states in itssubmission. that the IARUAdministrativeCommittee‘s “GuatemalaResolution" on the issue needs to be

2

reviewed.In amediareleaseissued inOctober

2001 . the IARUAC stated: . . . recognisingthat the Morse code continues to be aneffective and efficient mode ofcommunication used by many thousandsof radio amateurs. but further recognisingthat the position of Morse as a qualifyingcriterion for an HF amateur license is nolonger relevant to the healthy future ofamateur radio.

Resolves that:1. member societies are urged to seek. asan interimmeasure.Morsecode testingspeeds not exceeding five words perminute;

. setting aside any previous relevantdecisions. IARU policy is to supportthe removal of Morse code testing asan ITU requirement for an amateurlicense to operateon frequenciesbelow30 MHZ.

L)

The DARC has also proposed thatIARU Region 1 societies should. as agroup. discuss the introduction of aNovice licencesystembefore introducinga low—level entry licence to theirindividual radio authorities.This proposal could be seen as referringto those nations. including Britain withits Foundation licence. who have or

W83 — Novemfier/Decemfier 2002

intend to jump the gun on a uniformCEPT Class 3 (novice) licence.(Infin'mation: GACW and The WirelessInstitute of Australia at http://u'n'w.wiavic'.0rg.au/nzc'w/)

CW Fonts for Word

Three type-face fonts, which may be ofinterest to MM readers. can bedownloaded from a web site and used ona PC.

Two includeMorsecode symbols.They are called "Morse Kode‘". “Radiosin Motion" and “Crystal Radio Kit”.Examples are shown below:

”Morse Kode"

mDRSE"Radios in Motion"

.- II. 0-. O” O

M C! H E E"Crystal Radio Kit"

I'I'IOI‘J'QThey can be obtained from:

http://www.themeworld.com/fonts/ andare free. When the files are unzipped,there are read-me—texts. where the makerof the fonts asks fora small donation forhis work.(Information: Monika Pouw-Arnold,PA3FBF.)W83 — Novemfier‘Decemfier 2002

Holland to ImplementWRC-2003 Accord

Quickly

The Snt‘ieryfin Amateur Radio in TheNetherlands (VERON) held its annual“Dag van de Amateur" hamfest theweekend of October 13th. The DutchPost and Telec'mn Authority (OPTA)waspresent and in an information folder saidthey “...are working to implement anychanges agreed at WRC- 2003 as soon aspracticable." adding that “It is highlyprobable that there will be no differencebetween the ‘A‘ (full privilege) and ‘C‘(no-code) license holders in the secondhalf of next year."

Apparently the Netherlands doesnot have to go through a formalrulemaking proceeding in order to makethe change and will make it immediatelyafter WRC— 2003 eliminates themandatory code requirement for HFoperation.(Reported in W5YI Report by PeterHalpin,PE1MHO)

International PharmacistsHam Group

In Mtu‘ch 2002 the I.P.H.G. was constitutedto unite ham pharmacists. to promoteradio—initiatives. to establish friendshipand to help the people who need anypossible aid the Group can provide. TheGroup is apolitical and doesnot recognizeanydifference of race and religion amongits members.

2’

THE LANGUAGE OF LOVEdot ¢ dash -Secret messages in morsecode have inspired awhole new éewellerycollection from Eric Smith,

KPH.theex-RCA coaststation locatednorth of SanF r a n c i s c o ,

returned to theair forcommemorative

ERIC‘N broadcasts onWITH 13th July at 3DESIGNIER

years and oneminute after thelast commercialM o r s e

Dot-Dash Jewellery

Another company is offering MorseJewellery designed by a goldsmith basedin Scotland. The advertisement appearedin the Scottish Daily Mail. For moreinformation telephone +44 (0) 141-639—3344 or visit the website:www.morsecollection.c0m(Information Joli/z McGinty)

Station KPH - Night ofNights In

In the third annual event that has becomeknown as the Night of Nights historicMorse code radio station KPHwas on theair in commemoration of the lastcommercial Morsemessage sent in NonhAmerica.

4

transmission inNorth America. For this third annualNight ofNightsone frequency for equallyhistoric coast station KFS was alsoactivated.

KPH was on the air again on 17thAugust for communications with the SSLane Victory/KECW duiing the ship‘sweekend cmise.

These on—the—air events areintended to honour the men and womenwho followed the radiotelegraph tradeon ships and at coast stations around theworld.

Veteran Morse operators.including many former KPH and KFSstaff members. were on duty at thereceiving station at Point Reyes. CAlistening for calls from ships and sendingmessages just as they did for so manyyears before Morse code operations wereshut down.

The transmitters are located 18miles south of Point Reyes in Bolinas.CA at the transmitting station establishedin 1913 by the American Marconi Co.The original KPH transmitters. receiversand antennas will be used to activate

W83 — Novemfier/Decemfier 2002

Photo:

Tony

Smith

Morse at Muckleburgh

The Muckleburgh Collection. a militarymuseum at Weybourne on the NorthNorfolk coast. England. featuringworking tanks and other vehicles, guns.missiles. and other militaria. has onefeature of particular interest to MMreaders.

Its Radio Hut has a collection ofvintage military and other transmittersand receivers dating back to pre—WWZ.exhibited and maintained by members ofthe NorthNorfolkAmateur RadioGroup,which also operates amateur stationGBQMC on the site using CW and SSB.Members ofthe Group welcome visitorsto the radio collection to explain ordemonstrate the exhibits. Children areintroduced to thewonders of a crystal set.a potato—powered radio and a working1920‘s horn-speaker set. before beingshown how to send their name in Morse.

DickGal/op explains the mysteries ofMorse to a group ofyoung visitors.

6

During 2002. up to the end ofSeptember.over 800 children took this "Morse test"(roughly equivalent to the FoundationLicence Morse Assessment!) and weregiven certificates to record theiraccomplishment.

A popular exhibit is a computersimulation of the messages sent by and tothe Titanic in 1912 up to the time of hersinking. As the messagesare sent in Morse.with different speeds and tonesrepresenting the different "operators".they are translated onto the computerscreen for the benefit of visitors. Thisfeature is provided by Jim Farrior(W4FOK)‘S comprehensive Morseprogram "The Mill"* which has beenmentioned in MM on a number ofoccasions in the past.

The Radio Hut is normally openon Wednesdays andThursdays, and someweekends during August. when radioamateurs or other radio enthusiasts arealways welcomed by the Group if they

introducethemselves. TheThursday "team"usually includes threeMM enthusiasts.DickGallop GOKNQ. JackWillies G3DRL. andTonySmithG4FAI.soMM readers areespecially welcomeon that day!The Muckleburgh

Collection is openfrom February toOctober. Furtherinformation about theNNARG and its workat Muckleburgh. and

MM83 - Noventfier/CDecemEer2002

Photo:

Tony

Smith

A successful candidatetaking the "Morse test” atMuck/eburgh.

the Military collection itself. canbe foundon the intemet at www.nnarg.co.ul\' andwww.lV'IucklethIvlrcouk. There will bea more detailed report on the radiocollection in MM the New Year in timefor the 2003 season.(Report by Tony Smith, G4FAI.)

”The Mill "is obtainable asfreeware on

the internetatwww.11et-magicJIet/users/nr4fokSadly, since theabove report waswritten,Dick Gallop GOKNQ, chairman of theNNARG, died on 28th September 2002.An account by Dick ofhis experiences atthe North Eastern School of WirelessTelegraphy, in 1948, appearedinMM68,p.39. - Ed.)

G-QRP Club

Enquiries to Rev.498 Manchester Road,large s.a.e. or two IRCs

The G-QRP Club promotes and encourages low-power operatingon the amateur bands with activity periods, awards and trophies. Facilitiesinclude a quarterly magazine, Morse training tapes, kits, traders‘ discountsand a QSL bureau. Novices and SWLs welcome.

George Dobbs G3RJV, St Aidan’s Vicarage,Rochdale, Lancs OL11 3HE. Send a

traders.

FISTSCW Club—The InternationalMorse Preservation SocietyFISTS exists to promote amateur CW activity. It welcomes members with alllevels of Morse proficiency, and especially newcomers to the key.

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

Further information can be obtained from Geo. Longden 63203, 119Cemetery Road Darwen Lancs BB3 2L2. Send an s.a.e. or two IRCs

MM83—Novemberflecember2002 7

Pacific Submarine CableCentenary Celebrations

iis yearmarks the centenary ofthecompletion of the PacificSubmarine Cable. which was laid

under the Pacific Ocean in 1902. and ranfrom Southport (Queensland. Australia)to Bamfield (British Columbia. Canada).To celebrate this achievement the PacificCentenaryCommittee,Australia has beeninstrumental in organising ceremonialevents to be held in the variouscountries along its route.

For technical reasons. thePacific cable was landed onto variousPacific Ocean islands so that the weaksignal could be re—transmitted backand forth over the 13.555 kms ofinsulated copper wire. Theseintermediate island locations wereNorfolk Island. Fiji and Fanning Island(now known as Tubureran Is). Therewas also a branch of the cable that ranfrom Norfolk Island to New Zealand.and landed at Doubtless Bay. north ofAuckland. Because all of theselocations were part of the BritishEmpire. the cable was also known asthe “All Red Route" (as red was thecolour associated with Britain and hercolonies).

An important significance ofthis cable was that it made up the final

8

stage of a “round-the-world" telegraphsystem. Up until this time. there wereonly submarine cables crossing theAtlanticand Indian Oceansand so a failureof these cicuits meant total isolation forAustralia and New Zealand.

A notable feature ofthe new cablewas that the Fanning Island to Bamfield

MM83 - November/December2002

(Canada) run would be the longestunassisted submarine cable length in theworld. and still holds the record to thisday, although present day submarinecables have booster amplifiers that arebuilt into the cable every 20 to 40 kms.

The contract to lay the cable wasawarded to the Telegraph Constiuctionand Maintenance Company of England.and as they didn‘t have a ship largeenough to handle over 6,404 km ofheavy cable for the Fanning Is. toBamfield run. they built the Cable ShipColonia, costing one million poundssterling.

The Southport event on October3 lst 2002 had grown to include displaysof historical communicationsequipment, through to a present dayamateur radio display. Also there weredisplays showing the various types of

9145MB — Novemfierflecemfier2002

The cable is brought ashoreat Southport

submarine cables, from telegraph andco-axial. to today's fibre optic. The eventwas a successwith over 300 visitors to theevent and ceremony, including many oldcable operators.

A software program.designed by John Samin, called CWCommunicator (CWcom), which allowsMorse to be used via the internet, wasused for the exchange of messagesbetween Southport, Queensland andPorthcumo. Comwall, UK, one of whichwas from HMQueen Elizabeth II.The Queen's message was sent in Morseto all on channel.

More information on CWcom isavailable on the web site: http://www.mrx.com.au/Morse is sent using either a keyboard, amouse, a joystick. or a real morse key.Incoming Morse messages can be

9

OCTOBER ZOOZ. LOYAL GREETINGS TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS,QUEEN ELIZABETH II FROM SOUTHPORT, QUEENSLAND,ORIGINAL LANDING PLACE OF THE PACIFIC TELEGRAPH CABLE

MADAM. IN ZOOZ, YOUR GOLDEN JUBILEE YEAR, THE WORLDIS CELEBRATING THE IOOTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRSTMESSAGE SENT USING A SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH, BETWEENSOUTHPORT, QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA, CANADA ANDCONNECTING THE ALL RED LINE AROUND THE WORLD. WESEND YOU OUR LOYAL GREETINGS AND INVITE YOU TO JOINWITH US IN SENDING A MESSAGE AROUND THE WORLD TOCELEBRATE THE MOTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMPLETIONOF THIS, THE FINAL LINK IN THE ALL RED LINE, ON OCTOBER31, ZOOZ. THIS WAS THE UNDERSEA CABLE ROUTE THAT WASTHE VITAL CONNECTION TO ALL THE PIECES OF THE BRITISHEMPIRE. OUR COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY IS DUE TOCOMMENCE AT 16 AM (AEST) FROM THE PACIFIC CABLESTATION (NOW PART OF THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL) ONTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2'62. THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOLIS A GPS BOYS SCHOOL LOCATED AT SOUTHPORT AND WEARE HOSTING THIS CELEBRATION AS THE MUSIC DEPARTMENTIS LOCATED IN SEVERAL OF THE CABLE STATION BUILDINGSAND WERE MOVED TO THE SCHOOL GROUNDS IN 1981.

Message received via Porthcurno from Sourhport

31/10/2OQ2 CQ CQ CQ DE PORTHCURNO. GREETINGS TOEVERYONE MARKING THE CENTENARY OF THE FIRST PACIFICCABLE FROM ALL AT PORTHCURNO. HERE AT THEUMUSEUMOF SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHY WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE TAKINGPART IN THE CELEBRATIONS. PORTHCURNO IS ENGLANDSHISTORIC HOME OF WHAT SOME TODAY ARE CALLING THEVICTORIAN INTERNET. IN 1872} THE FIRST CABLE WAS LAIDFROM HERE TO BOMBAY AND BY THE EARLY ZQTH CENTURYPORTHCURNO WAS THE WORLDS LARGEST TELEGRAPHSTATION. TODAY IT IS A HERITAGE SITE WHICH CELEBRATESTHE WONDERFUL HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL SUBMARINECABLE COMMUNICATIONS. WE ARE PROUD TO PARTICIPATE IN

THE CELEBRATION TO MARK THE LAYING OF THE LAST MAJORLINK IN THE VICTORIAN GLOBAL NETWORK.

The Porthcurno message sent in Morse prior to the Queensmessage10 MM83 — Novemfier/Decemfier 2002

31/10/ZOOZ @826 DE PORTHCURN03 BUCKINGHAM PALACE.BOTH OCTOBER ZOOZ. THE QUEEN WAS PLEASED TO RECEIVEYOUR KIND MESSAGE OF LOYAL GREETINGS SENT ON BEHALFOF THE CABLE AND WIRELESS PORTHCURNO AND COLLECTIONSTRUST ON THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE FIRSTCABLE ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN FROM BAMFIELD VANCOUVERISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA IN CANADA TO SOUTHPORTQUEENSLAND IN AUSTRALIA WHICH CONNECTED THE ALL REDLINE AROUND THE WORLD AND IS BEING CELEBRATED BYSENDING A MESSAGE IN MORSE CODE VIA THE INTERNET TOCANADA NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA. HER MAJESTY SENDSHER BEST WISHES TO ALL THOSE CONCERNED FOR A NOTABLEAND SUCCESSFUL EVENT IN THIS HER JUBILEE YEAR.ELIZABETH R.

Message from Queen Elizabeth //

visually seen as a flashing light on thecomputers monitor. in addition to beingheard as tones from the soundcard'sspeakers. There is also a circuit for theconnection of a Morse sounder. ifpreferred.

For those not trained in Morsecode. CW Communicator provides forwords to be transmitted by typing them

on the keyboard. Likewise. incomingMorse messages can be automaticallytranslated back to text onthe computer's monitor.Wit/1 than/ts to John Alcoriz, HenryCranfieid (OTVA), Mary Godwin (C& WPorthcurno Trust), Mark Hanrahan(Pacific Cable Centenary Committee —

Australia), Jolm Samiiz, Tony Smith.M1W

The Radio Ofiicers AssociationMembership is open primarily to former MN radio officers but is also open to anyone who has had anassociation with maritime communications or is interested in the subject. Members receive the quarterlynewsletter 080 and its associated amateur component QRZ. There is an annual reunion and AGM.

2003 sees the meeting taking place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. For further details and information pleasecontact the Membership Secretary - John Russell, 21 Landcross Drive, Northampton, NN3 3LF1.

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

W83 — Nor/emfier‘Decemfier2002 1]

UZZA PRODUCTS in Australiamade a Morse Code ApparatusNo.2 (Figure l 1), probably in the

1930‘ s. costing l6 shillings and Sixpence.Grandly called a “Radio Telegraph Set“,it had a strapkeymade from .05 inch thicksteel requiring a pressure of 800 grams toclose it. which must have been verydifficult to use. The instructions includethe advice. “If you telegraph over longdistances a larger battery will be founduseful." With contacts made from nutsandbolts withwashers. it is a far cry fromthe much more professional Buzza auto—

key. but nevertheless an example of thisset in poor condition was seen in an

Morse Practice Sets— Part 2

by Tony Smith

Overtheyears, manytypesofMorsePractice Sets have beenproducedandhavebecome col/ectab/es.Thesecond part of this article concludesthe short selection of such setssubmittedby MM readersatvarioustimes. As noted in the first part, itwould take a whole book to coverthe subject in detail.

Photo:

Colin

MacKinnon

Figure 1 1. Buzza Morse Code Apparatus N02.

W83 - Novemfier/flDecemEer2002

Photo:

Jack

Barker

Figure 12. Iva/ekMorse TransmitterNo. 559.

Australian antiqueshop some years agofor A$100 (about£50).

Photo:

Jack

Barker

The IvalekMorse Transmitter,No. 559, another setwith agrandname. hadan adjustable buzzerand phone terminals.(Figure 12).

Some sets hadprimitive keys. ratherlike the Buzza set,which really madethem little more thantoys. Wording on thebox of the MorseTapper Set (Figure13), of unknownofigin, says: “Usefulfor Scouts, GirlGuides and others, who wish to perfect but as can be seen in the illustration thetheir knowledge ofthe MorseAlphabet". key has much to be desired.W83 — Novemfierflecemfier2002 b’

Figure 13. Morse TapperSet, makerunknown.

Photo:

Wyn

Davies

Photo:

Wyn

Davies

Figure 14. German Electric Morse Apparat twin practice set.

FromGermanycomes the ElectricMorse Appoint, a set of two instrumentsintended to work together. (Figure 14),also with crude keys. and another(unknown)twin set fromthe samecountIyis shown in Figure 15).

Oscillator circuitsBefore the advent of the transistor,

valve (tube)oscillators gave good servicein Morse practice circuits with a morerealistic tone than was obtainable from abuzzer. but had the disadvantage ofrequiring HT. and LT. power supplies.The transistor. with its ability to operatefroma battery with lowcurrent brought ina new generation of Morse practiceequipment.

Figure 15. Another twin set from Germany, maker unknown.

14 W83 - Novemfier/QDecemfier2002

Figure 18. Heathkitmode/HD- 16. (Fromunitmanual. Contrib. ChrisBisai/lion)

a built-in speaker. key and headphone Thanks

key. it had a built-inspeaker, volume and tonecontrols on the back: withphone jack and bindingposts (terminal screws) forthe key on the front. It couldalso be used as a sidetoneoscillator for transmittersusing gridvblock keying.Later versions. the HD-1416A and HD-1416H.had identical features butwith different knob stylesand case colours. Thestyling of each of theseinstruments was intendedto be compatible with thethencurrentHeathamateurradio equipment.

jacks.andabulbforvisuallightsignalling. Thanks to all contributors. as notedIn 1975. Heath replaced the HD- against the various illustrations. who

16 with the HD-l416 (Fig.19). a three have provided information and/ortransistor oscillator housed in a much photographs. etc. for this selection ofsmaller (plastic) case. Provided with a Morse Practice Sets. MM

Figure 19. Heathkitmode/HD-1416. Couldalso be usedas sidetone oscillatorfortransmittersusing grid-blockkeying. (Fromunitmanual. Contrib.Chris Bisai/lion)

16 W83 - Novemfier/QDecemfier2002

ORSE PRACTICE NETScome and go, as interest. andcandidates either graduate

or fall by the wayside. In response to arequest in Info-Line. John and John.ZLlALZ and ZLlBYZ responded

We ran a standard ‘send and talk'type practice session at 6 and 12 wpm forsome time. but ran out of takers. So wechangedto aCWnet. andran it on Mondayand Thursday staiting at 1930 UTC. Weuse 3.570 MHZ, with 3.560 MHz as asecondary frequency. Regular check-insinclude ZLlWT. ZLIIJ. ZLlAAS.ZL 1 DK.ZLZKEL.all fairly newCWops— and ZLlANF. ZLlNM. ZLlAAW,ZL2KC. We always invite listeners tojoin in. and someZLs and the odd VK doso.

We are not long-winded. We doabout two rounds on CW.with overs keptvery shon. then change to SSB to sort outany problems that participants haveencountered. Most of these are the‘normal' ones such as using the wrongantenna. leaving the RIT on. attemptingto net by frequency and not by ear.

These are things that experiencedoperators take for granted. but which arenot covered in the Morse test. They causeproblems that some new operators aremeeting for the first time.

It is pleasing to see regularparticipants beginning to call and answerCQs. and take part in contests on theirown initiative. The net speed has gonefromabout 12 wpm ( 18 wpmFarnsworth)

W83 — Novemfierflecemfier2002

Morse Practice Nets

Antarctic Memories

QRL? QRL?

by Dr Gary Bold

to 18 wpm(22 wpmFamsworth).althoughwe are always very pleased to slow downfor any newcomers. Don't hesitate to ask!Charlie. ZLlDAC. sent this informationfrom the Whangarei Club:

Our practice session operates on3.580 MHzplus or minus QRM(VK)eve1yTuesday night at 1930 Hrs Local Time.Each session consists of stations sendingto each other text from Break-In. Sinceeverybody can look this up, we avoidwasting time reading it back.

A batch of call signs is alsonormally sent by the net controller. as aregroupsof numbers.Thenet control stationis nomially Pau1,ZL1PC. or his deputiesRon ZLlAJP, or Rod ZLlBBJ. Speedsare adjusted depending on participantsand normally range between 12 and 25WPM. Ron ZLlAJP conducts learners‘groups on our 147.200MHz repeater asrequired.by request." Dave. ZL1 DW. sentthis:

17

OurCW group.originallyon 3.550MHz for many years has changedfrequency due to continued interference.

We now operate on 3.555 MHzMonday to Friday from l930hrs NZSTduring the winter. and from 2030hrsduring daylight saving. Sessions last foran hour with speeds ranging from 6wpm to 14 wpm Farnswonh with oversconsisting of plain language text and anumber group.

Operators vary during the weekallowing a variety of keying styles.something that prepares listeners for on—air CW. as opposed to receiving onlycomputer generated Morse. They alsogain experience under adverse receivingconditions existing at times during theyear.

Regular operators; fromAlexandria(ZL4LO).Cronadun(ZL3LE).Christchurch. mobile (ZLZAT). Timam(ZLBADT). New Plymouth (ZLZDBA).Papatoetoe (ZLlJKB) and Port Waikato(ZLlDW) keep things going andwelcome any members whowish to assiston either a casual or long term basis. Justcheck in prior to a session to be madewelcome!“ My thanks to those who runthese nets. I know from experience whata connnitment it is. If there are other nets.let us know.

Review: MiXW SoftwareChris. ZLlBOE contacted me to discussan impressive software package by NickFedoseev. UTZUZ. This implementslogging and soundcard software coveringpractically all of the modes commonlyused by hams in one program. Chris wasso enthusiastic about the latestversion that I asked him for a review. He

18

sent this:Those familiar with Nick‘s

DigiPan program for PSK31 will beimmediately at home with MixW — onlynow you can use the same panoramic‘point and click‘ frequency acquisitionand easy built-in logging on many othermodesincludingCW. MFSK,Hell. MT63.Fax. Throb, SSTV. regularRTTY and evenPacket!

The latest version. RC8. alsoincludes partial implementations forAMTOR (no ARQ mode yet) andPACTOR I (currently receive only) andeven offers something for voice modeoperators with DSPnoise and notch filterspre—recordedCQ callsetc. It even supp01tsold multi-mode units like the KAM andthe PK—232.

Even more ambitious featuresinclude complete computer control ofthe newer generation of transceivers.automatic control of your beam rotatorand even DX cluster operationvia Internet or Packet! Click on aninteresting station in the cluster windowand your own station is automatically setto that mode. band and exact frequency!This reviewer does not have a beam alas.but there is a demo mode for the beamrotator control feature which shows abeam pointer working its way aroundthe great circle map (centred on yourQTH) to the chosen SP (or LP) bearing.

Do all these features work? Well.the answer seems to be — yes they do - andin most cases as well or better than mostsingle mode programs. This is certainlytrue for PSK andMFSK and even Packet(HF and VHF). which are all excellent.Hell also performs well though withonly the basic Feld Hell mode available.

MM83 - {Movemlier/QDecemfier 2002

support via the sound card games port.Morse auto—decoding does work butwith the usual limitations. However theprogram supports an interesting newalternative allowing the operator to typecopy manually straight into the RXwindow. This is a great innovation as allMixW‘s powerful logging features arethen accessible for CW also. Callsigns.repons. names etc can all be “grabbed"for the built—in log via “point and click".Once a station's call sign and name areput in the log this way a whole range ofmacros written specially for CWbecome available. In my opinion MixWsets a new standard for relaxed computerCW operation. A slight annoyance:Morse speed control is only accessible ina small separatewindowusing the mouse.Thus it requires several mouse actions tochange speed and return to the mainprogram windows. I‘dprefer to see speedcontrol via the cursor keys.

Nick promises a future versionwhich will allow the operator interfaceand rig interfaces to reside on twodifferent computers linked by modem ornetwork. This opens the way forreally powerful remote digimodeoperation - a particular interest fortownhouse dwellers like me. who mightin future be able to enjoy ham radio viaa shared station in a remote. low noiserural location!

However. this very powerfulprogram is not shareware. There is aUS$50.00registrationcharge. At the timeof writing you get a fewweeks offreeuseto convince yourself that MixW is a“must have". You have beenwarned!" Well. after a rave like that I hadto download the latest (time limited)

20

version from Nick‘s website at:http://www.nvbb.net/~jaffejim/downloadshtm

Installationwas trivial, and I foundthat MixWreadCWfrommy keyer (audiomonitor from the rig into the soundcard)perfectly. Figure I shows the operatingscreen. with a decoded 30 wpm CQ I‘d

just sent. The spectral display at bottomshows only the passbandnoise. for alas. allthe HF bands were dead. and nobodycame back to me. MixW tracked speedchanges from 12 to 35 wpmflawlessly. For a stiffer test. I checked itout against Sergei‘s CWget. using mystandard tapedQSO. I recorded this somewhile back on 80 metres. on a night whennoise and QSB were moderate. CWgetfollowed the signal down into the noiseafter MixW had given up. but on strongsignal portions both decoded perfectly.MixWcopedautomaticallywith moderateQSB. and the audio level into thesoundcard didn‘t seem particularlycritical. I was impressed. asCWget‘s decoding is a hard act to follow.Nick has done a good job here. At thetime ofwriting. there is also an earlier but(as far as I can see) freeware version.V1.45 at http://tav.kiev.ua/~nick/my_ham_soft.htm

Its CW reading capabilities seemto be the same. but I deduce that only theregistered version can transmit. With allof these additional modes. MixW is wellworth downloading for a trial. even ifyou're not a dedicated computer op. Ifyou've never investigated this before.you‘ ll be impressed at howwell bothCWand the modern modes decode. To readany of them. you just need a cable fromthe earphonejack to the soundcard input.

MM85 - Novemfier/Decemfier 2002

Figure 2. Scott Base Christmas present. It sends ‘CourageSacrifice Devotion‘at 12 wpm

If you get hooked, join Murray,ZL lBPU andothers on 3.560MHz,mostMonday, Wednesday and Fiiday nightsaround 2100 hours. for advice on usingthe other modes. I‘m often there too.You‘ll usually hear weird musicaltones, but we always respond to a call onSSB.

AntarcticMemoriesNeville Copeland, ZLZAKV,spent sometime in Antarctica. One Christmas, hereceived an intmiging present from JohnWilliams, the laboratory technician, anddescnbes it here.

"Older readers may recall an itemin Break-In October 1974 (also repn'ntedin MorsumMagnificat l998,page 14) ‘AHam on the Ice' where I mentioned theexchange of midwinter presents amongScott Base staff. The followingexplanation of the gift I received may be

W83 — Novemfiemecemfier2002

ofinterestto someMorse operators.

It came in a8" x 8" x 4.5" box(see figure 2). Thishouses amechanism and acircuit thatsends, in audioMorse, the phrase‘ C o u r a g eS a c r i f i c eDevotion‘ at 12wpm. This is theinscription on thereverse side of theA m e r i c a nAntarctic Servicemedal which wasawarded to all

personnel who wintered over.With no knowledge of the Morse

code, John had painstakingly drilled aseriesof 1/32" holes at 2" radius (figure3)through a 5" diameter aluminium disc;single holes to produce ‘dits‘ and a groupof 3 holes filed into a slot to produce‘dah's‘. The disc was mounted on theshaft of a small 3 rpm synchronous mo—IOI‘.

A 2.4—volt lamp closely mountedabove the disk shone through thecombinations of holes and/or slots as thedisc rotated. The intenupted light waspicked up by a photoelectriccell, activating a multi-vibrator and 3—

transistor oscillator which produced anaudible tone througha small speakercombinedwith an earphonejack mountedon the topof the case.Thecircuit is shownin figure 3.

A dwell in the pen'phery of the

2]

Figure 3. Holes drilledat2" radius through a 5 " diameter aluminiumdisc to

generatethe dots anddashes.

rotating disc activated an on/off switchonce per revolution. If continuousrunning was desired a second switch wasprovided to override this. Provisionwas also made for a hand-key or autokeyer to be plugged in for practicesessions. Alsomounted on the case was asmall plaque (read Double sided PCboard) upon which is inscribed inGothic Script details of presentation. towhom. fromand date etc. On the inside ofthe box John had inscribed the followingverse:-

To he who sendsgreetings from the snow.From those intrepid folks down below.He's really quite a devil.ls the one called Neville,Our man who inhabits the PO.‘Tis midwinter the year of seventy-threeThat this box of goodies comes to thee.S0 Neville our friend.When you‘re going “round the bend.

22

Plug in — push thebutton - let it key!

QRL?QRL?Recently severalpeople havequeried meconcerning therecommendedprocedure forc h e c k i n g afrequency beforecalling. I alwaysuse the procedurein the heading:Call “QRL?" (isthis frequency inuse?) a couple oftimes. andwait for

5 seconds after each call. If the frequencyis occupied. a varietyofreplies maycomeback: “R". “YES“,‘Y”. “C” (abbreviationfor ‘yes‘). "QSY"(pse go away). ltdoesn'ttake long. and is the courteous thing todo. But it‘s surprising how often folksdon't do this. It‘s very frustrating to heara strong “CQ” suddenly erupt on top ofthe station you‘re working with nowarning. And mostly. the people who dothis don‘t seem to be using QSK. anddon‘t hear any protests you make. AndI'm afraid some of them are old-timers.who should know better. To new ops..thismayseemunnecessary. Surely. if youlistenfor aminuteor so. andhear nothing,you can conclude that the frequency isclear? Not so. Somebody who can hearyou may be listening to a station whosesignal isn't propagating to them, or whohas a better QTH or antenna. This is verycommon. If you don‘t call, you don‘tknow. MM{Mill/[83 - November/Decemfier 2002

.‘Morsum Magnificat index-TITLE AUTHOR § §

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS _ 0'

EUCW 160m Contest News 77 6EUCW CW Party 2001 News 77 2EUCW/FISTS QRS Results News 81 4GACW CW DX Contest News 77 6GACW CW Samuel Morse Party News 79 4GACW Key Day News 82 6International Museums - 2002 News 78 6Marconi Event at Poldhu News 77 4Swiss HTC - QRP Sprint News 81 3Telegraph History Re-enacted

in Victoria David Dunn 78 38WHO-2003 Venue Moved News 81 3AIR FORCERAF Signals NGZ and NAP Letters 78 44RAF Signals NGZ and NAP Letters 77 46AMATEUR RADIO5 wpm Test for ZL Radio

Amateurs News 78 6ABC/SARC Marconi Centenary

Celebration News 79 8GACW Cyber DX Membership News 80 7Grimeton Radio/SAQ News 82 4New UK Licence Classes Letters 79 44Who Remembers RAEM

and UPOLWRC-03: DARC Poll in

Tony Smith 79 12

Favour ot Morse News 81 2ARMY“Armed Forces Day at Fort

Verde, Arizona" News 81 5Amy Signallers Letters 80 46Picture of Army Signallers Bill Jones 80 46Telephone D Type

Training PatternASSOCIATED PRESSCO Amateur Radio Hall of Fame

Honours S.F.B Morse News 77 5“Extracts from The Wireless World,

February 1915" Jack Barker78 35QRT 500 kc/s Video News 82 2BIOGRAPHICAL(Karl) Ferdinand Braun - An

Early Telegraph Pioneer Part 1

(Karl) Ferdinand Braun - An

Early Telegraph Pioneer Part 2 T. Roth 78 9Picture of Ferdinand

Braun aged 36BOOKSArt & Skill 01 Radio-Telegraphy

Now a Book News 78 4

W83 e Novemberflecemfier2002

C. Bisaillion 82 30

T. Roth 77 10

T. Roth 77 10

issues 77 - 82Book Review - History of Telegraphy

by Ken Beauchamp F.V.Berghen 7828New Book - "Faszination

Morsetasten" MM 78 8TASRT Now in Giant Print News 81 2CIRCUITSReceiving SAQ with No

Active Devices Jim Moritz 81 18Scrap-Box Keyer Paddle D. Diamond 79 36Schematic of Magnetic Detector Gary Bold 78 32Schematic of MF8 filter Gary Bold 78 34The OZ7BO Keyer Gary Bold 77 15CLANDESTINE/SPECIAL OPERATIONSEnigma at Dayton

Hamfest 2002 - LetterCLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

Robert Loup 82 39

Bug User Group - BUG Letters 78 45Croation 9A - QRP Club News 82 3Croation Telegraphy Club News 82 2FISTS Activity Ladder News 77 3COHERENT CWGACW 25th Anniversary News 80 4Help For New CW Operators News 77 5Revised AGCW Award 2000 News 81 6888 Contest Swamps CW AgainNews 78 6Two Meter CW Group News 79 7EARLY WIRELESSEmily Johnson, telegrapher forGovernment Service 1897 MM 81 27Women and the

Early TelegrapghsHELIOGRAPHAncient Heliographs Jim Riddle 77 19California National Guard HeliographExperiment - 1896 LettersHeliograph Demonstration held forlMAs at Fort Huachuca, Arizona Jim Riddle 79 21Historic Arizona Heliograpgh

Stations EndangeredPossible reflective minerals

used for signallingINFO PLEASE1880 Model British GPO Double current key.

GPO No.62 F, V. Berghen 81 43British style practice key Markings

MUSONIC TD/MK Dave Pennes 79 33Clockwork devise - sends SOS

three times - K640 E. G. WalshDual Key with markingsSAUNDERS SIGNALLING KEY R.Wardenaar77 37Early British Bug Key -

ADGIL KEY?Indian telegraph key.

Tony Smith 81 26

81 46

News 81 5

Jim Riddle 77 20

79 32

John Francis 77 36John Francis 81 43

23

Info Plaese MM78

Signalling LampInfo Please MM N077 p37

Saunders Signalling Key LettersInfo Please MM76

A. Mason KeyInfo Please MM76

A. Mason KeyInfo Please MM78

- Moby Dick keyInfo Please MM78 P36Info Please MM79 AWA KeyInfo Please MM79 p33Info Please MM80 P.42Info Please MM80 P.43Key has 100% waterproofmarked S401.KOB Instrument by

L. SchaeferMorse Signal Lamp - Army?- no markingsMystery key - European?Strap key.Paddle key made by The

Northampton Plating Co.Key from Olten SwitzerlandSend/receive key,

British GPO?Small black Key,10.5cm.Straight key No markings.Unknown AWA key

TYPE R688Unknown key, Markings

1657 & F.R.EdeUnknown key with

semi-circular armKEY COLLECTINGRon McMullenA Technique to Straighten

Bent Pivot Pins.KEY MAKERSCode Cube AnnouncedCT Ham Radio Devices

New KeyKEYS & INSTRUMENTS1938 Standard Model

Mac KeyWilson Bug Key (RCAF)

for left handed operatorEnigma machinesA Mystery Key-on-BaseAustralian PO landline keyBrirish Army’s Buzzer,

24

Letters 79

79

Letters 78

Letters 77

Letters 79Letters 79Letters 80Letters 80Letters 81

Letters 81

Heisuke Kimura 78

D. Palmer 81

John Alcorn 78Robert Betts 77Geoffrey Walsh80

Jim Phillipson 80Don Breen 80

F. V. Berghen 78A. Bourousis 80Alex Pringle 78

Neal McEwen 79

Jack Barker 77

Mike Prince 79

Sally Hopman 82

Chris Bisaillion80

News 80

News 77

John Francis 78

John Francis 80Tom Perera 81

Peter Holtham 81

Peter Holtham 81

47

44464445454s

37

373642

4343

36

36

32

33

_at 8

26

FC

FC

3334

Sig. Training Jim LycettBritish Army Key,

Dummy, Signallers Tony SmithBunneII-Martin Flash Key MM

BunneI-Martin Flashkey Type 5-48 John Francis

Cooke 8 Wheatstone2-Needle Telegraph F. V. Berghen

Eddystone BugSerial Numbers Letters

Elaborate ‘House 8 Brett’ Ins.Fleron SignallerGNT Key - MM61 LettersKEY WT 8 AMP No.2 Alex VilenskyKEY WT 8 AMP No.2

Specification Tony SmithKey of T. Fordyce John AlcornKOB GPO F17 - Info Please P JonesLeft Handed Keys LettersMagnetic Detector F. V. Berghen

John FrancisWalter Baumann

Merrick Vertical Bug keyMM81 Indian Key - LetterModel K Enigma and

Swiss NEMA machine Tom PereraOfficial Boy Scout

Signal Set (USA)Old Bug with interesting

damper - Info Please

Wyn Davies

Omnigraph No.1 Dave PennesOmnigraph No.2 Improved Dave PennesOmnigraph No.5 Dave PennesOmnigraph Transmitter No.3 Dave PennesOmnigraph - Compact 5-disc L. BurlingameOmnigraph - Natrometer Dave PennesOmnigraph - Omnigraph KOB Dave PennesOmnigraph 30 Morse discs. Mike FeherOmnigraph No.2 Junior Dave PennesOmnigraph No.2 Junior Dave PennesOmnigraph No.2 - 15 disc Dave PennesOmnigraph No.2 Electric Dave PennesOmnigraph No.2 Gamages Dave PennesOZ7BO Keyer LettersThe ‘Dinger' Bug Key Dave PennesRacal TA-127 1 kW Allan MooreRCAF Buzzer Murray WillerSimplex Auto key in use David DunnSmall Steel Key - Info Please Jack BarkerNeedle telegraphs on

British Railways F. V. BerghenSpeed-X Practice Set,

by E. F. Johnson 8 Co Robert BettsStandard Radio-Telegraph

Signal Set Jack Barker

82

8282

82

81

77Geoffrey Walsh80Chris Bisaillion82

7777

77828278787782

81

82

Heisuke Kimura 8280808080818080808181818181787777827882

77

82

82

27

26FC

F0

F0

4513294418

32

30

29

W83 — Novemfier/flecemfier2002

Swiss Key MM80/81 - Letter Alan carterTelegraph Demonstration Kit NewsSounder - “What Hath

God Wrought!"The Barclay Box-Relay‘House 8 Brett' printerThe ‘Dinger‘ Bug KeyThe Marconi 5 kW Rotary

Spark TransmitterThe Marconi Multiple TunerThe Marconi Valve ReceiverThe Omnigraph - LetterThe OZ7BO KeyerUnusual British PO KeyUnusual GPO Key - Info

Enigma MachinesLEARNING MORSEBuild Your Own Morse

Code TrainerMorse Practice Sets Part 1

New Morse TeachingProgram

Calibrating KeyerJPS NIR-12Practice MorseThe OmnigraphThe Omnigraph

Instruments - Part 1

The OmnigraphInstruments - Part 2

LINE TELEGRAPHYTelegraph pole in

East Goldsmid, 1874History of the

82 4082 5

Martin Mueller 79 4Dave Pennes 79 38Geoffrey Walsh 80 13Dave Pennes 77 8

Marconi pic. 79 26Marconi pic. 79 29Marconi pic. 79 28Tony Smith 82 40Dr Gary Bold 77 14F. V. Berghen 79 FCWyn Davies 82 32Tom Perera 81 8

News 78 3Tony Smith 82 25

News 80 2Dr Gary Bold 81 36Dr Gary Bold 82 34Letters 81 44

Dave Pennes 80 29

Dave Pennes 81 10

Geoffrey Walsh 80 17

Australian Telegraph Letters 80 45Landing the (Dover/France)

Cable in mud IL News 80 16Lead Weight - cable to

France. Bright 1898.Monument to Telegraph LineDover & History of TelegraphGoliah leaving DoverThe Deal TelegraphCable on the Goliah

Geoffrey Walsh 80 12G. Eriksson 81 21Geoffrey Walsh80 10IL News 80 13Fred Knight 81 8C&W Ltd 80 12

Touch Project News 79 3Cable at Cape Grisnez |L News 80 13The Ballina Telegraph Office John Alcorn 82 7MARITIME (SEE ALSO ‘NAVY’)

500 kHz Logs from NMC News 80 4Auction of Titanic Signals News 82 6Godalming-Titanic Weekend News 80 2John George (Jack) Phillips John Young 80 8More on ‘Maggie’

W85 — Novemfierflecemfier2002

and the Titanic Dr Ken JonesTitanic-type Operating Room

on RMS Olympic Marconi pic.Radio Room Carpathia LettersReconstruction of Titanic‘s

wireless equipment Dr Gary BoldAudio CW Filters Dr Gary BoldSparks, What’s Going On? NewsRadio Room - Carpathia Marconi plc.Olympic - Operators Position Marconi pic.The Titanic Wireless System W. P. JonesTourist CW on Queen Mary NewsVoices from the Past

Titanic Survivors NewsMISCELLANEOUSAdwehr Enigma

Machine Returned NewsChannel Islands Enigma LettersEnigmas at Dayton Hamfest Torn PereraMarconi in Switzerland LettersMorse Alive in Victoria - LetterPeter ShawSAQ on the Air Again NewsMORSE CODEA Century of Dots and Dashes - 1954Sunday Advertiser, Adelaide 79IARU Supports Abolition

of Morse TestKey NotesKista Dan, 1953/54Macquarie Island 1969 Ray LangtipMessages Music and Morse Geoffrey WalshMorse in the

NewsLetters

Australian Antartic - 7 Allan MooreMorse in the

Australian Antartic - 8 Allan MooreNew Canadian Morse

Profiency Certificate NewsRSGB Morse Test Service16th Anniversary Weekend NewsRussian Federation Supports

Retention of Morse NewsTelegraphic Code Books LettersUK 'No Knowledge' Morse Tony SmithUK Morse Test -

Dramatic Developments Tony SmithMORSE EPHEMERANew Omnigraph No.2

- 1910 ad. Dave PennesDinger Bug Key - 1908 ad. Dave PennesMorse Learners’ Outfit - ad. Tony SmithNew Telegraph Instrument

patented 1882 - ad. Tony SmithSignalling Equipment Ltd

79 23

79 2581 45

78 3178 3079 679 3179 2480 4O78 7

792

80 680 4681 7

77 4382 4281 4

40

78 380 47

Lauritzen Group 77 3177 3082 9

77 29

78 15

78 5

80 3

78 278 4378 26

77 lBC

81 1577 982 26

82 25

25

Complete Practice Set ad. Tony SmithMarconi Codes - ad. MMMIMC Yearbook 1922 MM

Macograph circa 1908 - ad. Dave PennesTeleplex - ad. MM

Annie Ellsworth 8 S. Morse MM

Archibald Hunter’s TestimonialJohn AlcornHow to Learn Morse Code-ad MM

Omnigraph No.1 - ad. Dave PennesCentral Telegraph Office,

London, 1874Kopsel, Braun 8 Zenneck"Telegraph Office-song book

M M

Thomas Roth

cover, ‘The Telegraph' Tony SmithSpark Transmitter-1914 ad. MM

Western Union cablegrams MM

Cook-Wagon-Lits - Letter E. F. Jones25 Anniversary of Economic

Elec.Ltd-keys 8 buzzers MM

Last 500 kHz Log from NMC Eric SimmonsMacquarie Island. 1977 Jutta HoselMacquarie Island. 1978 R. FletcherThe Yearbook of Wireless

Telegraphy 1922 ad. MM

Mawson 1987. UllaKnox-Little sending Morse M. Knox-Little

Angry-9 transceiver J. GilliesOmnigraph - Compact 5-dics Dave PennesOmnigraph No.2 & buzzer-ad Dave PennesGraf Zeppelin at the BodenseeThomas RothKrenkel in Moscow 1961 All LindgrenKrenkel receiving an award Alf LindgrenHome of Samuel F.B. Morse MM

Wyn Davies and Jack Barker MM

QSL Card received-drifting iceTony SmithErnst Krenkel’s QSL card Tony SmithSadie Cornwell-S.F.B.Morse MMAlte Liebe Light house Thomas RothThe Famous Beacon

at CuxhavenRestored Beechworth

Telegraph Station David DunnTelegraph Hotel, Llandudno MM

The Telegraph Public House Fred KnightTom Perera with Christmas

collection of keys" MM

MORSE FOR THE DISABLEDNew Release of ‘Morseall‘

Thomas Roth

for the Disabled NewsMORSUM MAGNIFICATMM Index Issues 71 - 76 MM

OBITUARIESJames Ricks. W9TO Letters

26

828280777881828280

8178

81

808182

81807878

79

78

8181787979797879798178

78

788081

78

79

77

78

29IBC

BC41

IBC

1617

BC

212312161019

IBCIBC

143111

39IBC9

IBC

9

24

46

Jim Ricks, W9TO News 78OPERATING, GENERALK10 Keyer Update Dr Gary Bold 82Keying the Kachina TS-SO Dr Gary Bold 82Operator's Quilitications

1896 and 1908 Letters 77PROJECTSReceiving SAQ - Letter Gerald Stancey 82An Electronic Keyer Paddle

from Scrap-Box PartsRAILWAYSThe Talking Machine &

the Railways Pt.3REVIEWS, EQUIPMENTThe Elecraft K1

CW TransceiverSHOWCASEA CW Syntoniser-S.G. Brown Malclom Brass82

Drew Diamond 79

Peter Brankin 77

Dr Gary Bold 80

A Marconi Manipulating Key Jack Barker 80Bright’s Double Plate Sounder Geo. Robbins 79British army Mk V heliograph F. V, Berghen 79Bunnel KOB (Restored) John Alcorn 77French Telegraphe MunicipaleF. V. Berghen 78French Saram Key Wyn Davies 82Handmade key in

shape of a tank Albert Heyes 77Heavy brass key

marked SREKT21 Jack Barker 78Morse table by Lewert

(Berlin, Germany) F. V. Berghen 82J. H. Bunnell camelback

KOB, 1870/80’s Dave Pennes 78J5-A key with No.48 setKey by Gambrell - 4586KOB by John AlcornLab. key marked SREKT60Marconi Manipulating

Key, circa 1912Oldest Morseregister

ever used in France?Peerless bug Neal McEwen 80Signal Electric Wireless Key Jacob Henri 7719503/605 Training set David Westwood 80Raymart Speed Key Jack Barker 82The Gamages Trainer Wyn Davies 80Western Electric Double

Bar Lever KeysSTAMPS

Wyn Davies 81

Malcolm Brass81John Alcorn 79Jack Barker 78

Jack Barker 81

F. V. Berghen 77

Dave Pennes 81

First day cover New ZealandAllan Moore 77USSR for Ernst Krenkel Tony Smih 79SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHYPacific Cable Centenary News 82Submarine Cable Key Letters 78

7

3434

44

40

34

41

18

23251011

232524

2524251124

24

232422252324

25

BC20

646

W83 - November/flecemfier2002

Photo/Collection:

Fons

Vanden

Berghen

-

Halle,

Belgium

Readers are invited to contribute any additional information and stories, no matter how minor, to the Editor,Morsum Magnificat. There have been thousands of designs of keys & telegraphy instuments. Information will

be lost unless it is compiled in one place and shared with other readers.

.4: may 'The keymustbea Siemens & Halskemodel (enforced by the fact thatit came together with another5&Hitem) . The colourandlookof the brass andits lacquer (original)is rea/Iysuperb {as new) I!

Photo/Collection:

Wyn

Davies

Remote Control Unit ‘L’MK // as used with the British ArmyWireless Sets No. 62and 012. The key itself is similar to those used with the 32 spy-set.

film/[8.3 — Novenlfierflecenfier 2002 27

Photo/Collection:

Malclom

Brass

Photo/Collection:

Jack

Barker

1915 Telegraph, Vibratingmade by ATM Co Ltd.

(Automatic TelephoneManufacturing00.). Thisis a portable device andthe plate on the baseincludes a threaded holeforstorage ofthe knobsothatthe instrument wouldfit in a carrying case.

‘33:;

333

3‘3}

33

TheAdmaston Morse Practice Set from Japan. Itis well made andincludes a tulland complete setof50 cardsofthe international code andprocedures; also maritimeprocedures.

28 W83 — November/December2002

N 1846ROYALEHOUSEdevelopeda printing telegraph using a pianotype keyboard with white and black

keys (Figure 12 ). It could sendmessagesmore rapidly thancouldbe sentby Morse.but its reliability was poor.

David E. Hughes. London born.was a Professor of Music at New YorkUniversity. He patented in 1855 a systemby which telegrams could be sent from akeyboard similar to that of a piano(Figures 13 & 14). The system. withimprovements, continued to be widelyused. especially on the continent. formany years. Even in its early form speedsof up to 45 w.p.m. might be reached. asopposed to about 25 w.p.m. with hand sentMorse.

Messages Musicand Morse- Part 2 -

by E. Geoffrey Walsh’GM4FH

Emil Baudot developed a systemthat used five keys. two for the left handandthree fortheright(Figure15). Lettersand numbers were sent by combinationsand permutations in the ways the keyswere operated: the movements had to besynchronized to the beats of thecommutator.

Figure 12. House '5 printing telegraph.W83 — Novemfiemecemfier2002 2'9

30

Figure 14. A/aterversionoftheHughesinstrumentthan thatofflgure 13. Inthe left lower corner aWheatstone ABCinstrument is shown in

use (IllustratedLondonNews, Nov. 28'“ 1874).

W83 — Novemfier/Qecenfier2002

E;IO.3;<

are‘u:

.SLI

segment for segment inexact correspondence withthat in London. Nowjust as

| t(C4010:

$963] 3.5:31

2+

«N.-<><

bole“:

5.} Ft 3:“ 3J9“,Lit it" 5-1””

Figure 15. Baudéttab/e ofcod/ng andkeyboard.Knox's (undated) account reads:

'You will remember that in theearly days it was thought that the passageof electricity was instantaneous. Whilethis is not the case. its passage across thewire is enormously more rapid than anysignaling that can be done by man.Consequently. there is plenty of time forsix men to be sending messages one afteranother along a wire ifonly they could becertain to keep time andnot inteifere witheach other. and ifthe receiving operatorscould each have one ofthe six signals andone alone. This is what the Baudot systemhas made possible. It works by means ofa ring. divided into segments. roundwhich a copper brush revolves 180 timesa minute. Each of the six transmittingoperators has five segments electricallyconnected to his instrument and insulatedfrom the others. The correspondinginstrument—the one in the CentralTelegraph Office is connected toBirmingham — has its six receivingoperators. and. amazing as it sounds. therotating brush of their instrument isrevolving not only at the same speed. butfilm/[83 — Novembemecemfier2002

a metronome beats out thetime accurately. so thisinstrument helps theoperators to keep time bygiving each a warningsound when it is his turn tosignalzhedepresseshiskey.and by the time he is readyto send his next signal theblush is round again. Theinstrument also locks andunlocks his keys. by meansofan electro-magnet. so that

even apart from the insulation he ismechanically unable to break in on tosomeone else's segments. This all soundsrather a slow process. but you mustremember that a telegraphist has his senseof rhythm highly trained by the Morsecode. so that as soon as he is used to theinstrument he transmits at a regularnonnal speed. You can imagine the savingthat is effected in this way. In ordinarycircumstances each operator can sendthirty words a minute. The twelve ofthem—on the duplex system therewill besix transmitters and six receivers eachend—can polish off between them.therefore.300 wordsto the minutewithoutany hustle or trouble.’

In spite of this glowingendorsement the instrument wastroublesome: the operator's forearms andWiists rested on the table and crampswerecommon as the movements. solely of thefingers. were utterly restricted both inspace and time. Of all telegraphicinstruments this was the mosttroublesome for the operators.

2’]

Bell's Harmonic TelegraphIn a harmonium. a well-known

keyed instrument. the tones are producedby thin tonguesofbrass or steel. 'vibrators‘.set in periodic motion and known also as'free reeds' ; reeds. because their pn'ncipleis that ofthe shepherd's pipe free, becausethey never entirely close the openings.while those generally used in the organs,known as ' beating or striking reeds.‘close the orifice at each pulsation. Theharmoniumused to be widely used in smallchurches and chapels.

Telegraphic lines. palticularly iflong. were costly to erect and expensiveto maintain. As the demand in the 19‘“

Century grew rapidly for manymessagesto be sent a 'fever‘ was on to send as many

messages as possible. A premiumwasputon operators who could send and receiveMorse rapidly but physiologicalconstraints usually limited this to about25 w.p.m.

Alexander Graham Bell was bornin Edinburgh; both his father andgrandfather had studied speech andelocution. Bell himselftaught music andhad a good sense ofpitch. He thought thatby using electrically maintained tuningforks the same single telegraphic linecould be used to transmit perhaps six oreightmessages. As a forkvibrated it madeand broke an electrical contact. thevibration was sustained as with thetrembler of an electric bell. Several suchdevices. each controlled by a Morse key,

were to be connected to

E:

the same line; at the otherend another set wouldrespond. Theexperimentsproved unsuccessful. therepeated pulses as acontact was made andbrokeninterferedwith theother forks at the far end.

The deafness ofoldage. ‘presbyacusis'.due toimperfections of theauditory nerve affects theperception of the higherfrequencies more thanthose of lower pitch.Without a hearing aidspeech may be difficult to

x’ understand but music can

Figure 16. Thick Ushapediron channels weremagnetized andplatesoften be well appreciated.

Bell7 had anotherof thin steel, cut into teeth as in a musical box, were attached;each‘reed' resonatesatone frequency, andso tunes couldbe reproduced.The electromagnet was elongated along the line ofthe strips ofmetal.Rout/edge (1899).

.32

idea; it might adequatelyhave reproduced musicaltunes. but not speech

MM83 — Novemfier/Decemfier 2002

Weight

Metal bar

Axle

Chalk CylinderMica Diaphragm

but before analogueamplifiers became availablesounds through phonesweresoft and to hear a passage ofmusic the instrument had tobe held close to the earthroughout. Later audiencesin London could listen to anew invention-'Edison's most memorableachievement of all as atelephonic inventor.however. was in theproduction of his loudspeaking. or as it issometimes called with goodreason. his ShoutingTelephone. If merelyregarded in its compound

Figure 1 7. An early loudspeakerthatdependedonvariations inthefrictionbetween the rotatingchalkcylinder and the metal strip. Kent 1890.

(Figure 16). It could have picked upsounds from a nearby instmment or couldhave been played directly by striking thestrips of metal. The auditory nervecontains thousands of fibers: a simpledevicewith a limitednumberofresonatorscannot reproduce the rapidly varyingenvelope of speech in consonants.particularly 'F. 's' and 't'. Bell was aware'that when we sing a vowel—sound into apiano. while the pedal is depressed. thepiano reproduces. not only the pitch. butapproximately the quality of the voweluttered: I saw that a similar effect8 shouldbe produced by the harp apparatus. . .'

Edison's ShoutingTelephoneIt was not necessary to be close to

a telegraphic sounder to hear the clicks

W83 — Novemfierflecemfier2002

character, it is certainlyremarkable. for its action isthreefold. that is at onceelectrical. chemical and

mechanical. It was for a long time one ofthe chief marvels on View at thePolytechnic Institution. There ProfessorPepper lectured upon it. day after day. formonths. to the delight and wonder oflarge audiences.

His assistant on these occasions.instead of being as usual present there inthe lecture—room. was at a considerabledistance fromhimat a house in CavendishSquare—the sole means ofcommunication between them being afine copper wire.‘ (Kent 1890).

The assistant in CavendishSquare. sangor played the comet andwasaccompanied by a pianist in the lecturetheatre, a wonder of the age. Pressing ona cylinder of chalk was a bar of metalattached to a mica diaphragm of four

217’

inchesdiameter (Figure 17 ). The cylindercould be turned clockwise about a centralmetal axis by the operation of a handle.When this was done the diaphragm waspulled to the right because of the frictionbetween the bar and the chalk. If themicrophonewas usedthe currentrunningfrom the bar to the central axis reducedthe friction and so for an instant thediaphragm sprung back; a series ofcurrents generated the correspondingsounds (Figure 18).

The reduction of friction occurredbecause the chalk had previously beenimpregnated with caustic potash; it mayhave followed the production of tinybubbles of gas. But the probable qualityof the music can only be guessed.

Cadhill'sSynthesizerIn 1897 Thaddeus Cadhill devised

a ‘Telharmoniumor 'Dynamophone':with145 dynamos to generate alternatingelectrical currents at frequencies between40 and 4000 Hz. The instrument had theappearance ofthe engine room of a ship.

weighed 200 tons, was 60 feet long andcost $200,000. Twomusicians controlledkeyboards but whilst they might playworksofBach. Chopin, Rossini and otherclassical composers the effects werehorrible. One amp was passed to eachsubscriber on a network: the currentsinterfered with other telephones andsometimes fused the switching gear. Thegigantic contraption filled the floor of"Telharmonic Hall" on 39th Street andBroadway. NewYork City.

Morse and MusicalityRhythm is the essence ofwell sent

telegraphic signaling using a straightkey; to the initiated there is beauty in fineMorse. and with experience.the 'signature'of an operator can be recognized,distinguishing him from others. T. J.Smith, however. cautioned about therelevance of being able to play a musicalinstrument-

'A quick ear and a knowledge of"time” is another advantage; notnecessarily an ear with a cultured or

Figure 18. Edison ’5 loudspeaker (IllustratedLondon News, Nov. 1. 1879).

34 Min/[83 — Novemfier/Decemfier 2002

bouncing of the spring can lead to aspectrum much wider than is found witha good quality straight key.

Vibrations in StringsThe unsteady nature of the wind

and its turbulence can excite oscillationsin objects in its path as vortices form. Ina tree there results a rustle from a lightbreeze: it is wide bandnoiseand transientsresulting from the differing mechanicalproperties of numerous leaves. Thatmusical sounds could be produced byunaided wind has been long known in theEast.

According to tradition KingDavid's harp (kinnor) sounded atmidnight when suspended over his couchin the north wind: and in an old Hindupoem. the Vina generated tones,proceeding by musical intervals. underthe impulse of a breeze (Figure 21). TheChinese have kites with vibrating stringswhilstSaintDunstan ofCanterburyinthe10th Century hung his harp in the wind.

Aeolian HarpsThe name derives from Aeolus a

Greekgodappointedby Zeus to be 'keeperof the winds'. In the 16th Century an

Aeolian harp. was devised. Rather slackstrings of different thicknesses. tuned inunison. were fixed on a box providedwith sounding holes. It is played not byhuman hands. but by the wind. Themelodiesandharmonies are 'chosen‘ fromthe randomness of nature. The soundresembles a full orchestra without thepercussion.

The perception is that of bothstringed and wind instruments playing.an improvisation of nature described as a'Symphony of the Gods'. It wasfashionable in romantic landscapegardening for an instrument to be fixed toa tree or a rustic summerhouse.

Alternativelya harpofappropn'atesize might be placed in a window(FigureZZ). The sound comes principallyfrom harmonics rather than the lowfundamental.

WiresHums& HarpsIn France and Prussia telegraphic

wires were at first placed underground intubes whilst in Britain and America theywere normally overhead and amultiplicity in city centers could giverise to 'crossed lines' and unwanted noises(Figure 23). When telegraph wires were

Figur921. An Indianinstrument, the strings are plucked, but/leanbe readilysetinto vibrationbyaircurrents.

36 MM83 - Novemfier/Qecemfier 2002

Figure22. lianAeolianharp isplacedin a windowwith the sash lowered onto the cover the breezeflows overthe strings. (Drawn byBruce Taylorand available with some constructionaldetails onArthurFlobb ’5 Web page- http://www. araonet. co. uk/artlute/indexhtmll

first put up in London the associatedsounds were inevitably noticed.'There were those who believed that insome way voices went over the wires.Vibrations may be heard from lines inquiet localities today. and thewires oftheDistrictCompany.whichwereoftenunderconsiderable tension, would hum andsing in a breeze. In one instance theywereattached to an old lady's house: theCompanywas informed that she toleratedthe continual babble of voices in thewires but wished to make a very seriouscomplaint about the disgraceful natureof the conversations.’ (Durham 1959).

Longwires under low tension cangenerate hums that may be annoyingparticularly if a support resonates close

to the fundamentalof the wire. The deviceillustrated in Figure 24 may haveworkedthrough its added weight. This will havelowered the fundamental to be subsonicand tuned the resonance ofthe wire awayfrom that of the supporting structure butFigure 24 suggests a rubber coupling.

Telegraphpoles.once so commonalong roadsides are now rare except inremote rural areas (Figure 25). Betweenpoles the wires of same length. tensedonly by theirownweights.form the stringsofhuge AeolianHarps. The fundamentalresonance is very low but an interesting.unique and pleasing sound may be heardwhen standing near the pole: again it isdue to overtones. the fundamental willhave contributed little or nothing.

THE ANTI-“URI.HUMMING 0F TELEGRAPH WIRES EASILY AND

OH’EAPLY REMEDIED.List No. Price.4793 Each...” 50.:

Figure24. An advertisementot theManhattan ElectricalSupplyCo.

W83 — November‘December 2002

Figure25. Less familiarnowthan inthe twenties and thirties, a remotelone/yroad with no traffic is the bestplace tohearthe unearth/ysounds ofthe wires; they have nothing to dowith the messages being sent!

38

Figure 23. Wires in a citycenternatural/y gave riseto sounds in high winds,

MM83 - {Movemfier/‘Decemfier 2002

HE 6 PM SHIPPING FORECASThad predicted Storm Force 10 forHebrides and the wind in

Cumberlandwas thrashing the trees aboutin a black night. David had eaten too lateand was now restless in bed so carefullygot up so as not to wake the wife and creptdownstairs. He glimpsed the clock onhis radio desk: 0210 and switched on hisamateur equipment. The T5870 winkedinto life. HELLO read the display as itwent through the self-checks and thensettled to its last frequency and settings28 042.20 kHz centre frequency. 400 Hzbandwidth; just the hiss and hum ofatmospherics.

He sat down in the chair and.rather than switch on the room light. litthe paraffin lamp on the desk. It gave anice soft glow that filled the room. Heclosed the door and opened the windowa little so the stnell of paraffin would notwake the wife. The F-layer HFpropagation predictions for October wereon the desk. 2—4 am on 28 MHz was goingto be quiet. South Africa might be openon the lower bands if anyone was about.It had been on Thursday evening for awhile even on 28 MHz. when be last wason the air.

David wandered off into thekitchen and made a cup of pepperminttea to help with the indigestion. hewalked back with the hot fragrant drinkand sat in the armchair to sip it. happy towatch the gale blowing outside and watchthe shadows of the lamp flickering in thedraught. The tea had cooled nicely whenhe heard the signal coming in. too faint

40

Whispers from thePast

A short story by Fred Alder

to read from where he was. against thegale. He sat at the desk. plugged in hisheadset. flicked to VOX in preparation totransmit and noted the time 0222. Thesignal had gone. David glimpsed at theevening paper on the stool and put thedate in his log: 19‘“ October. There it wasagain. repeated three times then silence.

The shiver ran down David‘s backand legs as he looked at his notepad 18/0222 X278. He stared at it as the signalcame back again X278 X278 X278silence. The morse tone had a slightwarble on it. like the old KW2000B usedto. and was clearly hand—keyed.

The pictures of childhood cameflooding back. Since probably a toddlerDavid had heard X278 in morse. Fortwenty-odd years he had no idea that waswhat his dad was whistling as he shavedin the morning. But he had memorisedthe tune even then. The fragrance of theCussons shaving soap and the aroma ofthe Players smouldering in the ashtraynext to the sink filled his mind as thewarbling note came back X278 X278X278.

Dad had been in the Royal Corpsof Signals with the BEF in Normandy asa wireless operator. It had not been a niceexperience for him and he never spokeabout it or the evacuation from

WIMé’} — Novemfier/‘Decemfier 2002

Dunkerque. in the early days. Only laterin life as David had begun to learn morsehad the meaning of the tune becomeclear. X278 had been a call-sign in use byhim. When all you are doing is sendingencrypted 5-letter groups, those call-signs must have been all that stuck in thememory. In the days when morse was stillused by the military David had heardsimilar call-signs on the lower HF bandssent. badly keyed by unknown operatorson squawky transmitters. He had notheard them for a long time. Although Dadwas gone these 20—odd years now. toosoon and suddenly one autumn night. thememory of X278 had lingered on inDavid‘s head.

And here it was again X278 X278X278. His hand was trembling. That wasno amateur call—sign. his licence did notpermit him to call it back. He did not dareuse his paddle keyer. it would have sentout rubbish with that trembling. but inparallel he had the old straight key. Dadhad given it to David when he waslearning; it was the key he himself hadlearned on before the war. The signalcame again X278 X278 X278.

David replied X278? K. The hairon his neck stood on end:G4GMZ DE X278 QTC l QRV? K

How in God's Name does he knowmy call-sign? He panicked. That wasn‘tpossible. David was so flabbergasted hehad missed the first couple of words. Hehad written only 8 QTC l QRV? K. [haveone nwssugc. are your ready."

His hair was itching and a coldClammy sweat covered his neck andhands. Almost robotically he sent backthe invitation to send the message:“sloppy procedure" he thought later ashe relived what had happened. butshaking as he was it was all he could do

MM83 — Novenifierflecemfier2002

to send even that: R K.The message came quite clearly.

RST 428: CT X278 NR] 5 190228Z =G4GMZ = WBNNT RAPNV TMOJWWSVJA SKHJJ: AR R NR1? KIt was all he could do to send back: R NR1 K

David sat in a daze reading thetext again and again particularly the lastfew words he had written:RNRl?K CUAGNSONEE

Surely he must have written downthe word wrongly. see you again soon ditdirCU AGN SN E B.

You don‘t mistakenly hear an 0between an S and an N in such a commonphrase: perhaps it was half way betweenSN and “SOON"?

The hiss on the headphones wastroubling him. He unplugged them andwent over to the armchair notebook andpen in hand. and sat down. The Channelwas silent nowjust atmospherics. he notedthe frequency and times for his log: 28042.2 kHz. 400 Hz. 19 0222-02352 Hemust have slumbered off.

When he woke it was nearly 0315.The gale had increased and the lamp wasflickering. Had it been a dream?

No. there was the message andclear enough. the call-signs. And thatmistake. it was still there too.

When he told his now aged Mothera few days later on the phone. shereminded him of something that hadescaped his attention because of BST.The “radio-clock" was of course readingGMT. Dad had passed away on the 19‘“

October just after 3 in the morning.Mother had said.

So that X278 transmission hadbeen made exactly on the anniversary ofhis death all those years ago!

David felt sick. Maybe he ought

41

to try and get that message decrypted.whoever sent it. After all it might havebeen meant for someone else. He hadbroken the rules by inviting thesender .................... — but how had thesender known David’s call—sign?

David‘s career in governmentservice had found him some interestingfriends. and also put him occasionally insome pretty dodgy company. from whomhe could expect little sympathy oraffection. It was the fliends however inwhom he confided his story and theytook the message away to someacquaintances in Gloucestershire. It wasa couple of weeks later when one of themcalled on David. or rather on the M6service area.

Apparently they had had a lot oftrouble with such a small amount ofciphered text and it was only when theywent back to look at the encryptionmethods being used in Normandy inSpring of 1940 that they got anywhere.Eventually they reduced it to four codewords used at that time that could beinterpreted as:ENEMYBIRTHDAY TRANSPORT SOON

It did not make much sense tothem. and X278 was not anything thatthey knew about. They thought it mighthave been a hoax from one of David’sfriends and that the decrypt was in fact nomore than coincidental. Although eventhey were not convinced about that! HadDavid been teasing them? The pallor ofDavid‘s face on that nice Novembermorning however told them that perhapshe knew more about the meaning of themessage than they did. and he had notmade it up.

The funeral. like all those of asudden victim of crime was a sombreaffair. The bleak wet January day gave

42

little comfort to the bereaved family or tothe grey—overcoated strangers whoseemed to know a lot about David. Someof them, but not many, knew what thecodeword BIRTHDAY meant too. Butnobody knew who X278 was. how heknew about BIRTHDAY. and how he couldhave coded and encrypted that message.unless he had been in Normandy .......

David must have knocked off thebomb resting under the front wheel—archduring his morning checks, the Scene ofCrime Officer said. The explosion hadblown him to pieces and the subsequentfire incinerated his remains and the familyhome. Only his partly melted weddingring was found. and a couple of teeth bywhich he could be identifiedas the victim.Nobody was surprised when his wife.who had been away for the weekend.went off to New Zealand to settle neartheir daughter‘s family. She never reallyrecovered from the tragedy. becomingalmost a recluse. The sadness for thefamily must have been compoundedwhen her belongings and a note werefound on the seashore there. a year or solater.

If ever you are listening on 14MHz you might hear a Foxy call—signworking from the Pyrenees. The localshave got used to the quiet. retired Englishcouple David and Jenny. who came tojoin them a few years ago. David hastaught a few of the neighbours” childrenabout radio and morse and theyoccasionally have contacts with theirdaughter in New Zealand. He also spendssome October nights listening on 28 042kHz. but never hears anything.Occasionally the neighbours’ childrenhear him whistling in morse. one of themreckons it is X278 repeated in groups ofthree.... Bizarre! MM

91491483 — Novemfier/Qecemfier 2002

Photo/Collection'

Jack

Barker

Photo/Collection:

Chris

Bisailiion,

VE3CBK

Readers are inwted to contribute any additional information and stories, no matter how minor, to the Editor,

Morsum Magnificat. There have been thousands of designs of keys & telegraphy instuments. Information will

be lost unless it is compiled in one place and shared with other readers.

This leg strap key ismarked "629 5895 001MCN547REVF"onthebottom. There are noother markings exceptfor the cable. Infoplease!

This unmarked brasskey a thin mahoganybase found at a fleamarket. Can anyoneidentifythe design ?

MM83 — Novemberflecember2002 4.3

Here is a splendid Stockticker, made by“THE EXCHANGE TELEGRAPHCOMPANYL TD.”Does somebody haveinformationabout thisCompany?

Photo/Collection:

Fons

Vanden

Berghen

-

Halle,

Belgium

This keyis marked ”5820-AP164179 KEYMORSE PORTABLE". On a smallseparate plate it has “SERIAL NO. 062WF". it looks similar to the Larger NATO

Keyswith the lightb/ue/greycolourbutanyadditionalintormationwouldbe welcome.

Photo/Collection:

Chris

Bisaillion,

VEBCBK

44 M91483 - November/@ecemfier 2002

Wfi’mfk/Speciafist ’Baofig on ’Z’ekflrap/iy5y Maszrzfer

PRICES INCLUDE POST & PACKING AND ALL EU/WORLD ORDERS ARE

SHIPPED BY PRIORITY/AIR MAIL UNLESS OTHERWISE STATEDFaszination Morsetasten — German Telegraph Keys Collectors Guide by

Gregor Ulsamer

This 180 page Book printed on quality gloss paper. is written in German.but includes 400 fine photos and diagrams and is a very useful referenceguide even for non—German-speakingreaders and covers 250 key designs.from more than 100 manufacturers made in the German-speaking countries.It is a major work which every serious key collector and telegraphy historianwill want on their bookshelf Softcover. 180 pages. 21 x 29.75 cm.

£20.00 UK - £22.00 EU - £23.30 - World

Marconi 8t His Wireless Stations in Wales by Hari Williams

Illustrated account of the early Marconi stations at Canarvon and the relationshipbetween Marconi and Preece. Sottback, 110 pages, 24 photos, 14 diagrams, 4% x

7% in (12.3 x 18.3cm)

£5.60 UK - £6.50 EU - £7.00 World

American Telegraphy 8r Encyclopedia of the Telegraph by William Maver Jr.

Facsimile by Lindsay Publications of the 700 page illustrated 1912 encyclopedia(5111 Edition) but carries copyrights that go back to 1892. This is a classicencyclopedia of telegraphy with 544 illustrations of equipment. circuits.procedures and installation methods. A must have for collectors & historians.6 x 9in (15.5 x 23.5 cm). Gold-blocked hardcover.

£39.00 UK - £40.00 EU - £43.50 World

UK EU WORLD

History of Telegraphy by Ken Beauchamp £60.00 £61.00 £63.00Published by the IEE. a thoroughly researched book on the history of telegraphy.Faszination Morsetasten by Gregor Ulsamer £20.00 £22.80 £23.30German Telegraph Keys Collector's Guide.

Vibroplex Collector’s Guide by Tom French £15.00 £15.80 £17.60Now in print again.

Marconi's Atlantic Leap by Gordon Bussey £7.00 £7.20 £7.50Hardback, illustrated with 71 archive photos. 96pp - centennial edition.

American Telegraphy & Encyclopedia of the Telegraph by William Maver Jr.£39.00 £40.00 £43.50Facsimile of the 700 page illustrated 1912 encyclopedia (5th Edition)of equipment. circuits. and procedures of the telegraph - a classic.

MM83 — Novemfiemecemfier2002 45

UK EU WORLDThe Singing Line by Alice Thompson £9.50 £10.00 £11.00Charles Todd constructed the trans-Australia telegraph(and named Alice Springs after his wife).Inspired chronicle by their grent—greatgranddaughter.

Marconi & His Wireless Stations in Wales by Hari Williams £5.60 £6.50 £7.00illustrated account of the early Welsh stations and the relationship between Marconi and Preece.

Classics of Communication by Fons Vanden Berghen £16.95 £18.25 £21.00Protuseiy illustrated history of communication including much on teigraphy.

AWA Review Vol. 8, 1993 by The Antique Wireless Association £9.50 £10.50 £12.00Includes 45 page paper by Louis Meulstee on "Unusual Military Morse Keys“ (delivery Jan. 2002)

Perera’s Collector’s Reference CD by Tom Perera £9.00 £9.20 £9.70An absolute mine of information for collectors compiled from variety of sources

Perera’s Telegraph Collector’s Guide by Tom Perera £7.60 £8.10 £8.90An essential pocket-size reference guide for collector and historian

The Story of the Key by Louise Ramsey Moreau £4.25 £4.50 £5.00The Best of MM Vol. 1. 77 photos/illustrations, 60 pages.

Wake of the Wirelessman by B. J. Clemons £14.20 £14.70 £17.00A true story of an early maritime wireless operator

“Q41" and Beyond by Shirley Lawson £6.20 £7.20 £7.90The story of a Wren (Womens Royal Naval Service) teiegraphist

Railroad Telegrapher’s Handbook by Tom French £8.00 £8.30 £9.00Old-time telegraphy on the American railroads

Bunneil’s Last Catalogue with notes by Tom French £5.50 £5.70 £6.00illustrates and describes the company’s many telegraph instruments

History, Theory & Practice of the Electric Telegraph £14.50 £15.50 £17.50(facsimile reprint of 1866 edition) by George B. Prescott

The Victorian Internet by Tom Standage (MM63) £8.30 £8.40 £9.30A history of the electric telegraph in the 19th century

A History of the GPO Mark 1, 2 and 3Morse Telegraph Keys by Dennis Goacher(MM65) £6.00 £6.50 £7.20

findersforMorswnMagnificatCovered in a hard‘wearing red grained finish. with themagazine title blocked in gold on the spine, each binderholds twelve issues of the magazine. retained by strongwires. but easily removable should the need arise.

£7.90 ............. UK £8.50 ............. Europe £9.80 ............. Rest of the World iAil‘ Mail)

* Prices in US dollars may vary slightly withcurrency exchange rates and commission chargesCredit card orders welcome by phone: +44 (0) 1630 638306 or Fax on +44 (0) 1630 638051

Please make cheques payable to ‘Morsum Magmficat' )—SEND YOUR ORDER TO: _Morsnm Magnificat. The Poplm‘s. Wistanswick. Market Drayton. Shropshire TF9 ZBA.

EnglandPrrwnenl welcome by Muster-turd or ir'isu (quote your mnl/lalzler Hume. urlrlrexx. number and

(’.\']?lI_T (lure): or PuyPul it‘lll('ll it now available in 6 ('urrem‘iex — see lllet/L’ from cover46 W83 - November/Decemfier 2002

The Art & Skill 01' RadioTelegraphy

by William G. Pierpont, NflHFFA comprehensive manual for learning, using,mastering. improving ad enjoying internationalMorse Code. Pub.Radio Amateur Educational

Society (RAES) oi Canada, 236 pp, 5.5 x 8.5 inches

(14 x 21.5 cm) with coil binding.

PRICES - ALL SHIPPED FROM CANADA$16.00 USD Continental USA Delivery (48)$19.50 USD international Delivery$26.00 CDN Canadian Delivery£13.40 GBP UK Delivery€21.65 EUR European Delivery$35.85 AUD Australian Delivery$43.30 NZD New Zealand Delivery

Send orders to: Dave Clarke, VE6LX, RAES,8607 - 34A Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada- T6K 089. Cheques or money orders madepayable to Dave Clarke. E-mail: raes@sas.ab.caFurther information is also available on the RAES

web site at http://www.raes.ab.calbooklindex.htmi

fake/MReaders advertisements are free to MM

subscribers, The number of insertions should bespecified, otherwise it will be assumed that it isrequired in the next issue only. Non-subscribersare welcome to advertise in the Classified Adssection, Please contact MM tor styles availableand rates.Ads can include one photo free of charge

FOR SALE & WANTEDR1155 RECEIVER: needs good home.converted to AC. can provide photo viaemail if required. I also have a receiverfrom a cable ship. roughly about the samesize as the 1 155 but heavier. offers. buyerto pay P&P.Mark Franklin. Tel :— +44 (0)145270070101:email: thefranklins@bt.comMM83 — Novemberflecember2002

FORSALE: Morsum Magnificat nos 6.9—11. 13—54, 56. 58. 60-76. 65 copies£125 o.n.o. including postage andpacking. Geoff Newland. 32 The Grove.Winscombe, North Somerset BS25 11H.Telephone (mobile) 07802 786564. E—

mail: MM@GeoffNewland.co.ukFOR SALE: Great Northern TelegraphCompany (GNT) model No. 605 Morsekey as descn'bed in MM59. page 53.(There is also a picture of the key in Keys.Keys. Keys on page 54.. The key has along arm and a nice feel. Mint condition.£25. I have several of these keys for sale.Jon Hanson, GQFJT. 6 Daffodil Close.Abbeymead. Gloucester GL4 4AF. Tel:+44 (0) 1452 618437. Email:jonhanson@commspec.co.ukFOR SALE: All issues of MorsumMagnificat from Issue 1

. Also the specialissue of Q & Z Codes in 1988. Most inmint condition. Buyer must collect orarrange carriage. Offers. F. R. Hamilton.G4IAV. 329North Road.Atherton. M46ORF. Tel: +44 (0)1 942 870954.BOOK: “Radiotelegraph andRadiotelephone Codes. Prowords andAbbreviations" 3rd Edition (236pages).610 gm. 1.5 lbs. now available. Probablythe World's best compilation of this infonow available. Q.X.Z Codes. 142Phonetics. 24 Morse. 8 Needle codes.Myer. Phillips. 10. I l. 12. 13 and othercodes. Much other info. abbreviations,procedures and methods. AU$ 25.00 +P&P.Post calc fromPostcode 2480 usingInternet: http://www.nor.com.au/community/sarc/phonetic.htmJohn Alcorn. VKZJWA. 33 Spring St..LISMORE,NSW2480.Australia.Email:VK2]WA@sarc.org.au Tel: +61—02-66215217WANTED TO BUY: Telegraphic CodeBooks. as used to reduce the costs oftelegrams by replacing common phrases

47'

$6349ijwith codewords. Would be interested inboth originals of photocopies. I am ahobbyist in Cryptography and amfacinated in different ways data is andhas been represented for differentpurposes (e.g. speed. economy.confidentiality etc.) Also interested inrelated items. Letters to Mark Darling.132 Knowlands. Highwonh. SN6 7NE.United Kingdom or e-mail:darling@patrol.i-way.co.ukI AM A KEY COLLECTORwith over300 different keys from 20 countries andhave 50 keys available for swapping.Write to Henri Heraud.F6AUO.9Avenuede Bellevue. 91130 RIS ORANGIS.FRANCE.EXCHANGE: l have MM magazines.issues 36-80 inc(45mags)to exchange fora Vibroplex double-paddle. Can collect/deliver in UK. Phone Keith +44 (0)7946-663109.WANTED TO BUY: Back issuesofMMnos. 6, 9 to 22 inclusive. Also 1960sNATO Navy key (5805—99-580-8558).Please contact Stephen Pan'y. G4LJZ. E—mail: stephen@keying.co.ukWANTED TO BUY: GPOType 56 keyand Marconi side-lever Morse key withbrasshardwareon a wooden base. Lettersto: D. Johnson. W5FZ. 15514 EnsenadaDrive. Houston. TX 77083—5008. USA.Or Email: w5fz@arrl.net

TEXTBOOKS WANTED: HandbookofTechnical Instruction for WirelessTelegraphists. 1913 edition. byHawkhead (MarconiPress). Plus the third(1923 ) edition by Hawkhead and Dowsett

48

(TheWireless Press). and seventh ( 1942-44) edition by Dowsett and Williams(Iliffe). Also — Marine Radio Manual.c.1966. by Danielson and Mayoh(Newnes). A good price is offered. pluspostage costs DavidSmith.ZL2BBB. POBox 255. Hastings. New Zealand.dhs@clear.net.nz

WANTED: Back issues of MorsumMagnificat. Volumes 1 thru 23. 25. 27.28 and 30 are needed. Please contactDennis P. Skea. KC2CCZ. 25 ArgentDrive. Poughkeepsie. New York 12603.USA. +1 (845) 298 — 0951E-mail: KC2CCZ@arrl.net

WANTED: The common tripod for aheliograph as in picture page 11 ofMMIssue 79. Also still interestedin (somewhatspecial) telegraphy apparatus. Swap orbuy. Thanks! Fons Vanden Berghen.Lenniksesteenweg 462/22, B-15000HALLE. Belgium. E—mail:fons.vandenberghen@pandora.bewww.faradic.net/~gsraven/fons_images/fons_museum.htmlWANTED TO BUY: Old largecommercial Morse key such as H. White1918. or GPO double—current type keys.with or without the metal/metal—glasscover. Would consider exchanging myold Air Ministry Morse Key Type B1.Ref: 10F/7839inas new condition.Lettersto: D. Johnson W5FZ. 15514 EnsenadaDrive. Houston. TX 77083—5008.Texas.USA. OrEmail: fulleiphone@yahoo.comWANTED: Early paddles such as theNikey. Autronic. Ham-key HKl & HK2.Ray Bullock. 40 Little Harlescott Lane.Shrewsbury SY1 3PY.England. Tel: +44(0) 1743 245896.

MM83 - Novemfier/Decemfier 2002

Caveroi one ofa setof 1 1 FrenchMorserecords from theCentralSchoolotRadio, Paris. "TheTireless Teachef' “School tutorfortraining ing in reading(Morse) usingphonographicrecording. "

This lesson provides practice in reading textthrough interference.

_fl w fT»HE OFFlCERS£2 ' ‘f,. _

> OF"lhé

(IQEPGPI:Welboume(Declma‘1.

w,1.z“.

W December 1889‘g

_,R369 - so.

.93 :

1889Christmas card from the OfficersoftheMelbourne TelegraphDepartment.(Wilh thanks to PeterNelson and TedJones).