Navy Flameproof Key CJB 2600 3A
Yesterday I received an old Navy Flameproof Key that purchased on EBay a few days ago. Flame Proof keys have covered contacts and were used by the military in environments that may have had flammable gases present.
I've made a few QSOs this morning after cleaning it up and mounting it to a cheap wooden base. The action is smooth, and the straight key motion is easy to send clean code. These keys have a strong following with the SKCC users. I like sending code with this key very much!
From the Web: 8280 U.S. NAVY FLAMEPROOF GENERAL PURPOSE KEY XXX-26003A. Made for the navy by several manufacturers whose code letters precede the model number. For instance, CJB-26003A was made by J. H. Bunnell. CTE-26003A was made by Telephonics. CMK-26003A was made by McElroy, etc. It was apparently copied from the German Luftwaffe Key of very similar design (See German Keys.).
JH Bunell manufactured the Navy Flame Proof Key from 1958 - 1988. They offered NOS (New Old Stock) at some point on their website for about the same price I purchased mine thru EBAY.
http://jhbunnell.com/navykey.shtml
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