NOTE: I regret to report that John Kelly (N3GVF) became a
silent key in 1998.
John Kelly (N3GVF) had been collecting early telegraph keys, radios, and unusual scientific instruments for many years. His collection included some very rare and unusual telegraph keys and instruments. The following are a few samples from his collection.
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THE JOHN KELLY (N3GVF) TELEGRAPH COLLECTION (A FEW SAMPLE)
EARLY GERMAN TELEGRAPH REGISTER:(50KB)
This register made long and short marks corresponding to dashes and dots on a paper tape using an ink-filled pen. A key-wound clockwork gear mechanism was used to pull the paper tape past the pen. Its design is typical of the early German devices used on the land-lines in the late 19th Century. It has a 15.3 ohm coil resistance indicating that it was used in a local circuit driven by a sensitive line relay rather than directly on the line. The metal base measures 10-1/2" by 3-3/8" and the unit stands 6-3/4" high. The base is stamped: ALBIN GROPER, No. 1630, DUSSELDORF.
EARLY GERMAN TELEGRAPH LINE RELAY:(37KB)
This tiny relay was used to respond to the weak electrical signals on long land-line telegraph circuits. Delicate adjustment of the spring tension allowed the operator to compensate for changes in the resistance of the earth which was used to complete the one wire plus earth circuit. The resistance of the earth varied daily according to the amount of rain that had fallen and the circuits required frequent adjustment. The coil resistance is 1630 ohms, making it sensitive enough to respond to very small changes in earth resistance. It measure 5 inches in diameter at the flange. The base is stamped: ALBION GROPER, DUSSELDORF.
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