[CW] Speed Key Certificates

[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

*From:* Nick K4NYW <navy.radio at gmail.com>
*Sent:* Saturday, May 28, 2022 8:26 PM
*Subject:* [cryptocollectors] Speed Key cert/key

Examples of Speed Key certificates and a bug awarded to a (I presume)
winner of a contest are at
https://www.navy-radio.com/xmtr-key.htm

The US Navy bought NT-26009 speed keys in WW2 from McElroy and Bunnell but
I believe these stayed with the ship.

I know that Radiomen often bought their own speed keys.
https://www.navy-radio.com/morse/key/key-bug-1407-rcpt.JPG

The Navy bought a batch of Vibroplex Champion keys in the early 1950s but I
don’t know if they were issued to RMs or the ship.
https://www.navy-radio.com/morse/key/key-bug-1301-03.jpg
https://www.navy-radio.com/morse/key/key-bug-1301-02.jpg

Then there is this one from 1967
https://www.navy-radio.com/morse/key/key-vibroplex-1967-02.jpg

If it sounds like I am confused about what actually happened, it is because
I am.
Nick

*George & Group*

*I was in the Navy from 1957 to 1961.  My last ship was the USS Hancock,
home ported in*
*Alameda, California, across the bay from San Francisco.  We had one fellow
arrive on*
*board, fresh from RM "A" school.  A few weeks after he arrived, his
parents sent him*
*one of the Vibroplex "Golden Bugs" in a great looking carrying case.  At
that time,*
*one had to be 'certified' some way to use any kind of auto or semi-auto
keyer.  One of*
*the RM Chiefs, took him over to the FCC office in San Francisco and he was
tested on*
*both sending and receiving with a straight key at the speeds needed for a
FCC 2nd class*
*license.  I think he also had to show some proper ability using the 'bug'.*

*He passed both tests and came back with that certificate or 'ticket' to
use the bug.*

*He was not required to take the written exam, since he was not getting a
license.*

*He was still using that thing when I was released to inactive duty in
March of 1961.*

*Remember those "Z" signals?  ZBM 1 and ZBM 2 stick in my mind.  I think
that ZBM 1*
*translated to "Place on this circuit a qualified operator," and ZBM 2 was,
"Place on*
*this circuit a qualified speed key operator."  ZUG was 'negative'.*

*Good old ACP-131!*

*For now,*

*Ralph Irish -W8ROI*


On Sat, May 28, 2022 at 7:41 PM george keller <georgenann at aol.com> wrote:

> I wonder if any of you old timers remember back in the 60's when the Navy
> was awarding speed keys (Bugs) to RM's who qualified for the "Speed Key"
> License? I remember it well, never was an RM long enuf to even try for it,
> although I had my Extra and T-2.
>
> I have good friend who is a retired CTR-1 who had 2 speed key licenses and
> didn't receive the "Bug".  Any back up info would be greatly appreciated.
>
> MNH TNX,
>
> George Keller
>
>
>
> --
Nick England K4NYW
www.navy-radio.com
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