L-3 Communications Data Entry Keyboard

[BlueNalgene]

Anybody have any information on keyboards produced by L-3 Communications? 

I found this near where I am, and I was wondering if this is anything to get interested in.  There seems to be no picture of the part yet, and the bidding hasn't started.

http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=8637480&convertTo=USD

[BlueNalgene]

Since nobody had any info, I'll just assume that nobody has ever heard of these before.  I did some research, and I'll put it here in case anyone comes across something similar in the future.

I went ahead and requested they put up photos of the keyboards, and they responded rather quickly.  It looks like these have seen some ****.  I'm guessing that they are a membrane keyboard from the looks of the layout, kinda like other data entry keyboards for medical personnel. 

Based on the information I gleaned from the origin of these parts and the company that manufactured them, these came off of a Northrop Grumman weapons system.  The base that probably produced this surplus is probably Tinker AFB, a big research area for the USAF.  I have no clue if this is part of a terrestrial system or an airborne system, especially since I can't judge the weight that well.  They put some crazy stuff on those B-52 bombers. 

We can assume that the system that these pieces were for was meant to be mobile, since some of the metadata links to a Triwall of Air Traffic Control surplus junk that contains a battery produced by the same manufacturer with a similar connector.  Although this may have been used as part of a portable Air Traffic Control center or node, I have no way to confirm that.

The keyboards were produced by:
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
DBA L-3 COMMUNICATIONS, RCCS DIV RUGGEDIZED COMMAND & CONTROL SOLUTIONS
 10770 WATERIDGE CIR STE 100
 SAN DIEGO,  CA    92121-5701

On contract for equipment sold by:
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS CORP.
1800 GLENN CURTISS ST
CARSON,  CA    90746-2800


I'm still considering purchasing the lot, just because this stuff seems so obscure and specific that there might be something cool I could do with them.  I would love to have any input on this if anyone can cite a similar piece of equipment.  Outside of a teardown of the parts, I think this is about all I can learn from the posting.

[dorkvader]

based on the shape, looks like a TG3-made rubber dome.

sorry I didn't see this topic beforehand.

edit not sure if TGe but Ive definintely seen that before. Will do some digging.

if you notice the configuration of the pointing device below the KB is very similar to this:
http://www.tg3electronics.com/product/backlit-blh-series

I suspect it to be an older version or different configuration for northrop grumman.

Still looking

[shut up]

Those look pretty cool. What would you use them for?

[Daniel Beardsmore]

http://www.tg3electronics.com/product/backlit-blh-series

"5 million cycle keyswitches with gold contacts" … interesting.

[BlueNalgene]

based on the shape, looks like a TG3-made rubber dome.

sorry I didn't see this topic beforehand.

edit not sure if TGe but Ive definintely seen that before. Will do some digging.

if you notice the configuration of the pointing device below the KB is very similar to this:
http://www.tg3electronics.com/product/backlit-blh-series

I suspect it to be an older version or different configuration for northrop grumman.

Still looking

Good find.  I also notice that the TG3 has a similar odd layout to the L3 board.  Of note is the del key near the Lctrl.  It is kinda hard to make out most of the keys on the L3 pictures since the photo isn't angled to show off stuff for keyboard nerds.

You didn't miss out not commenting before, I didn't have pictures then.

[BlueNalgene]

Those look pretty cool. What would you use them for?

If the membranes feel good to use, then who knows.  Might be useful for an outdoor rig for QA on field equipment.

If the membranes suck, then I bet they would make sweet housings for some different switches.  Toss some Cherry's in there, maybe a retro SA keycap set, and you have yourself a wicked custom rig.