Eastern Bloc switches
Contents
Overview
As someone who does not speak any Eastern Bloc languages (although I can read a bit of German), understanding the various Eastern Bloc types is not easy. This is made worse by the cultural divide between the West and the Eastern Bloc. Although unbranded switches, and switches with unrecognised branding, is common to all countries, it is worse in eastern countries where it is much harder to find information without understanding the language.
Known brands
HFO
Country: East Germany (DDR)
VEB HFO produced the B 461 G Hall sensor IC used in both East German RFT TSH switches as well as West German RAFI RS 76 C switches (and presumably RS 74 C).
ИЗОТ
Country: Bulgaria
See:
- ИЗОТ ЕС 8531 М2КЛ
- 0125Д mechanical switches (clones of Cherry M9)
- 0130Д mechanical switches (clones of Cherry M8)
- Reed switches (branded)
RFT
Country: East Germany (DDR)
Rundfunk- und Fernmelde-Technik (RFT) was responsible for at least two keyboard switch families:
TESLA
Country: Czechoslovakia
- Copies of Micro Switch SW Series
- Copies of Micro Switch SD Series
In fact, there is no proof that TESLA ever made either of the above switch types. All that is confirmed is that they produced the Hall sensors that these switches used. The switches could have been made by anyone.
Unitra Dolam
Country: Poland
See:
Magnit
See Magnit (Магнит) for ПКМ 1Б reed switches.
Unknown types
Outer plunger
These switches have the plunger on the outside, that slides down over the shell. The reed capsule is placed off-center and vertically. The keycap presses down onto the plunger and is the exact same width and depth as the plunger. In many cases they are relegendable. Examples:
- Партнёр 01.01 — these switches are open at the bottom
- Screw-attached type
- Elektronika CM 1402 keyboard