CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy

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eHam.net Forum : CW : CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy

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CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by CORALMAN on October 26, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I was a zbm1 in the Navy 1960 thru 1964. Served in Morocco (Sidi Yahia) and onboard the USS Intrepid CVS-11. Still have my chrome plated Vibroplex, name engraved etc.. and was wondering if any of my old Navy CW buddys were on this site? I held two licenses in the Navy. USCINCUSNAVERUROPE and COMNAVLANT Was known as Andy with speeds up to over 35 wpm.

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by K7KBN on October 26, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I was on the Kitty Hawk from 63-66. Went aboard as RMSN right out of A school in San Diego. Following day I had an appointment at AIRPAC to get my Speed Key Certificate. As I was getting my Presentation set up and adjusted, a Master Chief came in, introduced himself, looked longingly at my bug and asked if he could try it out. We sent some stuff back and forth at between 30 and 50 WPM, with solid copy both ways. He signed my certificate, congratulated me, and I was off! I have a QSL from CN8IK in Sidi Yahia from back in about 1961.

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by CORALMAN on October 26, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I was an RM3 in Sidi Yahia, and had a friend who was a hamm, K5DIY from Texas. Was an RM2 on the Intrepid. To get a bug license in Morocco, one had to copy 30 wpm for five minutes not errors. Then send the same, no errors. When I went to take the speedkey test in Norfolk Va, the chief said I should be giving the test. Thought that was funny. I went to radio school in Bainbridge MD in 1960. Most of my Navy communications was with the Second and Sixth Fleets in the Atlantic. Also communicated with Balboa, canal zone sometimes too. Our side of the world had some really good bug operators back in the 60's. The Intrepid usually carried the flag, so we stayed busy in the radio shack. I probably should have gone HAMM so I could continue to enjoy talking in code. But I didn't, just send to myself, and copy weather broadcast for sport.

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by CORALMAN on October 26, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I still have my vibroplex original, chrome plated, name engraved with the original carrying case. Would post a picture but don't know if pictures are allowed here.

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by K7KBN on October 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
We would save all the MILSTRIPS and other low-precedence stuff for the midwatch folks to keep them occupied. On a typical mid, I'd call NQO and send the stuff to the most distant station replying. Many times we sent traffic to Thurso, Scotland. One time I had to look up a call, and it was the Naval Attache Office in Punta Arenas, Chile! I was an RM2 when I left active duty and went back to the USNR. Made RM1, then climbed the Warrant ladder and finally retired as an LDO Lieutenant (with W4 pay).

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by W4YA on October 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
In 1950 as a young teenager, I lived in Baltimore, and I could pick up NSS on several broadcast radios since it was so close by. I finally could copy the daily 4PM hour-long broadcast solid. Got my General Class ticket in 1951 thanks to NSS. I got to see the Annapolis antenna farm before it was taken down. Impressive!!

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by CORALMAN on October 27, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
Worked NSS the most when aboard ship. I was NHY when in Sidi Yahia. Banana boat swing was famous back then, hanging onto the dah's. Funny thing about swinging fast code is. If you record it, slow it down, it doesn't mean anything anymore. In Morocco I used to copy W1AW for HAMM friends so they could have a 35 wpm certificate for their shack when they went home. I never sent one in, but one of the guys sent one in for me at 25 wpm. I ask him why he didn't send one of the 35's. He thought it was funny..Lots of things have changed in communications since I was in it. Nothing beats two operators using code cause they both have a brain and will keeep trying until they get the message through.

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by W0NHH on October 29, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
The wind blew and the.... etc, etc, etc. I got out of the Coast Guard "A" school in 1950. We weren't allowed to touch a speed key until we could pound out at least 85 wpm on a broken down worn out Navy pump handle. I wore out 9 vibroplexes during the three years I was in. Next sea story please.

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by W4YA on October 29, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I always thought the perfect 20+ wpm code from NSS was made with some sort of mechanical device. But an ex-NSS operator told me that it was all done with straight keys. Those guys were good!!!

RE: CW, Speedkey operators from the US Navy	Reply
by W5VFO on October 30, 2009	Mail this to a friend!
I was a RM2 on the USS Altair AKS32 1959-61 with Speed Key Certificate #61 from COMSIXTHFLEET while home ported in Barcelona, Spain. I was K2JMX at the time. The Altair's call was NBEQ and I have NB5EQ as a club call for which I am trustee. Please visit http://www.ussaltair-aks32.org for further info.

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