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J-38
- Morse code training key of US Signal Corps included
with various Army school systems during the WW II.
This particular J-38 key was made by The Lionel
Corporation, New York, and has Lionel logo at the
bottom of its bakelite base.
To be continued after the
picture set...
Principal
difference between J-37 and J-38 straight keys was the key lever spring. The
J-37 keys had leaf springs while J-38 keys had coil springs.
Two
more features peculiar to J-38 training keys were Eyescrew and Circuit Closer.
The Eyescrew was used to tie the staycord of student's headphones to avoid
strain on the headphone wires. With the Circuit Closer closed, the student could
listen to the practice code generated over the line. To practise sending, the
student would open his key's Circuit Closer.
J-38
keys were manufactured by several US companies during and after the WW II. In
our collection, we also have J-38 key made of anodized steel
manufactured most likely by the American Radio Hardware.
We
have one more of Lionel J-38 keys in our collection, this one missing both
Eyescrew and Circuit Closer. In our opinion, this key could have been used for
real missions, not for training purposes.
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