Further,  the warning on these keys are specifically to not to key down for the purpose of using the signal lamp for illumination purposes.

On 6/9/2023 3:36 PM, Nick England wrote:
Interestingly I have never seen a photo of a 26003 used shipboard except for the signal lamp assembly. None of the LOP desk key/control boxes used them. 
https://www.navy-radio.com/xmtr-key.htm

I’m always happy to be proved wrong (and I often am!)
Cheers
Nick K4NYW 

On Fri, Jun 9, 2023 at 6:28 PM Mike Morrow <[email protected]> wrote:

The Navy Type 26003* key was used with every type of navy transmitter and some signal lights that used a Morse key on ships and aircraft and on shore from the mid-1930s into the 1960s, unless the set (like the TBX and TBY) had its own specific key.  As such it was equivalent to the Signal Corps J-37 as THE most important general purpose Navy key for many decades.

 

It is an excellent key.  I have several removed from USN patrol aircraft before the aircraft were scrapped.   It is based on the 1930s Bendix MT-11B aircraft flameproof key.

 

Mike / KK5F

-----Original Message-----
From: Hubert Miller <[email protected]>
Sent: Jun 9, 2023 5:07 PM

 

I assume because of the caution text on the knob skirt, this key was part of a specific radio equipment. Which set was that ? I bought it at SeaPac, thinking it might be a good fit for the ME-1 radio i have. Manual doesn't list the key, but it does say the finals are operating at their dissipation limits.
-Hue Miller
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