AirChime KMJ234

discussion of ship's horns, both those in regular use and those now in collector's hands.
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Railgeek Virgin Islands (USA)
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AirChime KMJ234

Post by Railgeek »

One of the latest additions to my collection is this rare KMJ234 marine horn. Basically a junior version of the mighty K-marine series ship horns, this KMJ-234 was designed for use on small work boats and tugboats. I haven't tested it yet, but it should sound similar to a 2L, 1L, 1 horn. Or exactly the same as the Pittsburgh Penguins goal horn.

https://www.precisionpartsnw.com/founde ... me-kmj-234





-Reed Skyllingstad
www.PrecisionPartsNW.com
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NickN Great Britain
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Re: AirChime KMJ234

Post by NickN »

I like the look of that one, cosmetically looks almost brand new.

What's the thing on the backcap at the top, some sort of adjustment?
A chime collector in a land of two-tone horns...
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Re: AirChime KMJ234

Post by Railgeek »

NickN wrote: Sat Nov 14, 2020 5:03 pmWhat's the thing on the backcap at the top, some sort of adjustment?
The little port on the top lets air flow from behind the diaphragm to a vent port directly below it. Similar to the holes in the back of a K backcap. I assume it was designed this way to let any water that was collected back there to drain out. Each bell has its own water / air drain on the bottom.

Another fun fact is that these use the same bolt pattern as a K power chamber, so you can put these chambers on the back of a two piece 1L/2L/3L bell. I don't know if there is a sound difference, will have to experiment in the future.
-Reed Skyllingstad
www.PrecisionPartsNW.com
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NickN Great Britain
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Re: AirChime KMJ234

Post by NickN »

Oh, I never would have guessed that.

That would actually be a very interesting experiment to try, both these backcaps on a K horn and vice versa.
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Flat Train United States of America
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Re: AirChime KMJ234

Post by Flat Train »

Did you test it yet?
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Re: AirChime KMJ234

Post by Railgeek »

Flat Train wrote: Mon Feb 22, 2021 5:16 pm Did you test it yet?


I did, you can hear me not knowing how to count and the horn in all it's glory:

-Reed Skyllingstad
www.PrecisionPartsNW.com
Flat Train United States of America
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Re: AirChime KMJ234

Post by Flat Train »

Thanks! Sounds a bit lower pitch than a K3. I wonder if that's intentional.
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Re: AirChime KMJ234

Post by Railgeek »

It's equivalent to a 2L, 1L, 1 bell. More information can be found here:

https://www.precisionpartsnw.com/founde ... me-kmj-234
-Reed Skyllingstad
www.PrecisionPartsNW.com