FM-32 Key Census Page.
Introduction.
The FM-32, often referred to as the "Jablonski" sideswiper, is a telegraph key that has been manufactured by FME in Berlin - German Democratic Republic (probably in the 1950's). Hundreds of these keys have been used for the education and training of radio officers at the Rügen Radio coastal station. The key can be used either as a sideswiper or as a paddle hooked up to an electronic keyer.
The primary purpose of this census is to evaluate the number of keys produced, to find out how many of them are still around and where in the world they ended up. The serial number printed on the label or engraved on the steel base of each key is a helpful clue to carry out this survey.
The secondary purpose is to learn more about the community of FM-32 users or collectors from all over the world. It would be especially interesting to know if some operators are still using this key on the air as a sideswiper.
The current status of the census is shown in the table below. If you have an FM-32 key, we'd like to hear from you. Please, fill in the form at the bottom of this page, we'll get back to you shortly, thanks.
Table: 16 Entries From #015 To #249.
| Picture: | S/N: | Owner: | Usage: | Comments: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
015 | Miles - PA3CVV | Sideswiper |
May-02-2011: Acquired from a collector in April 2011. After some careful cleaning I use this fine cootie regularly and with much pleasure. Details. |
 |
029 | Jan - SM5LNE | Collectible item |
Apr-09-2011: Bought it from a seller in Germany in March 2011. The label on the underside says: Type : FME-32, Year : 1958, Nr : 029. View with cover closed. |
 |
082 | Don - K8MFO | Sideswiper |
Jan-22-2011: I think its a very durable key and an excellent sideswiper. Bought it from a guy in the S E USA, who advertised it as a German bug! SURPRISE! |
 |
089 | Birger - LA9IO | Sideswiper |
Nov-27-2011: Acquired from collector in 2003. Yellow label: "Ingenieurhochschule f. Seefahrt, Warnemunde/Wustrow. Eigentum des Volkes, nr. ???" Engraved on steel base s/n 089. |
| - | 097 | Emil - WD4SCZ | Sideswiper |
Aug-01-2011: Identified as "property of the People" with a sticker that reads: Ingenieurhochschule f. Seefarht Warnemünde/Wurstow, Elgentum des Volkes, Inv-Nr 4181. |
 |
116 | Eddi - DK3UZ | Sideswiper |
Jan-23-2011: My favourite sideswiper. Stiff lever, precise and sharp defined action. Details. |
 |
158 | Doug - K4KEY | Collectible item | Jan-30-2011: Bought on Ebay. Haven't used it. Currently on display in my collection. |
 |
162 | Karsten - DL3HRT | Sideswiper |
Jan-30-2011: Use it sometimes on the bands. Has label of "Ingenieurhochschule für Seefahrt - Warnemünde/Wustrow" with registration number 4325. DL3HRT's Web Site. |
| - | 179 | Horst - DL4NH | Sideswiper | Feb-01-2011: Piece of collection. |
 |
186 | Will - W4HEX | Sideswiper |
Apr-16-2011: The Jablonski plays well but needs a little more work; mostly cosmetic. Several minor parts have been replaced. Details. |
 |
208 | Peter - DK7JC | Collectible item |
Feb-11-2011: DK7JC's Web Site. |
 |
209 | Martin - DK4XL | Collectible item | Jan-30-2011 |
 |
236 | Ludwig - DK5KE | Collectible item |
Jan-31-2011: Sideswiper: DK5KE's Web Site. |
 |
244 | Herman - VK2IXV | Collectible item | Jan-29-2011: One of the nice keys in my collection. |
 |
246 | Yann - F5LAW | Sideswiper |
Jan-22-2011: A robust key, "Ingenieurhochschule für Seefahrt..." label, easy to adjust, excellent action, used on a regular basis. Details. |
 |
249 | Peter - DK7JC | Collectible item |
Feb-11-2011: DK7JC's Web Site. |
