[CW] How old is the J-5-A Key

[Jeramy Ross]

Not a great answer but per
http://www.geocities.com/haroldrkramer/telegraph2.html

QUOTE:
"Signal Corps U.S. Army; Flame Proof Aircraft  Key J5A; Order No. 2670
NY 41; Made by LS Brach Co. of  Newark NJ
"These keys were made in large quantities from 1918-1945.  The
contacts are totally enclosed to allow them to be used in explosive
environments without the danger of the contact sparks igniting an
explosion." Tom Perera"

Other sites distinguish between two keys: The J-5 and the J-5-A as follows:

QUOTE:
" The J-5, J-6, and J-7 were used with the BC15 airborne spark
transmitter and BC89 receiver of WWI vintage. They could also be used
on the SCR-134 and SCR-135 CW/AM rigs. Not to be confused with the
J-5-A and the J-7-A: the 'A' designation appears to have been appended
on nearly identical keys made during the 1940's"
(Above info from http://www.zianet.com/sparks/sparkmakers2.html)

Best wishes,
Jeramy KB5WHV

On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 13:21:00 -0500, alan KI7WO <ki7wo at juno.com> wrote:
> Hi Guys,
> 
> Anyone tell me when the Signal Corp, U S Army J-5-A  "flameproof" key
> came out?
> 
> Also have a J-37, J-38 & a J-47.  Thought there might be some interesting
> history here.
> 
> TU,
> 
> Alan  KI7WO
> /
> 
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