Can't Use CW With My Rig....

[W5LZ]

What was the Vibroplex with the flat weight bar, square weights, 'Blue Racer'? It was the only one I could get to go slow enough to learn to use. Wish I had that thing back. 'Graduated' to a keyer, got lazy, never looked back. Some time during the '80's wanted to get that 'Bug Card', couldn't find anyone to give the test, ain't that a rip? (Phasing out CW at that time.) Oh well, I had fun.
- 'Doc

 

[Jaymom]

All I remember about the key was the fact that the bar was flat and everything about it was the color of black. You could slow it down big time just by sliding the weight forward. I would love to have it here right now. I'm coming along slowly with mine but it is no where's near the key I had in the Air Force.

 

[Beetle]

What was the Vibroplex with the flat weight bar, square weights, 'Blue Racer'? It was the only one I could get to go slow enough to learn to use. Wish I had that thing back. 'Graduated' to a keyer, got lazy, never looked back. Some time during the '80's wanted to get that 'Bug Card', couldn't find anyone to give the test, ain't that a rip? (Phasing out CW at that time.) Oh well, I had fun.
- 'Doc

The "Champion" and the "Lightning Bug" had flat pendulum bars. "Original", "Blue Racer" and "Presentation" bugs had round ones.

My certificate was signed by the Master Chief and by CNAP - Admiral somebody. Still have the certificate and the letter. My wallet card got to the point of illegibility (didn't have laminating machines back then), so it's compost somewhere. Ah, well.

Jaymom/Harold - I'd guess the bug you had was a Champion. If memory serves, it was a full-size bug, whereas the Lightning Bug was considerably smaller. When you say "everything" was black, do you mean even the moving parts, or just the base and paddles?

 

[Jaymom]

It was just the base and paddles that was black. I just took a look on E-Bay and couldnt find one with a flat bar.

It was a joy to operate. I have played with the settings on this one quite a bit and it doesn't compare to the one i used back in the ole days. Maybe I should call Scott again up there in Tenn. (Vibroplex Co.) and see if he knows where I can get one.

I was once stationed in Wash. D.C. at the Main Navy Building. (NSS) Used a machine that cut out the code on a tape much like RTTY tape. Then put it on the air. Almost all of it was weather for the Atlantic Fleet. Very little CW was sent by hand. Went from there to Gtmo Bay, Cuba (NAW) Neither place had a speed key. I got a lot of straight key time in Gtmo. The code sent by radio operators on foreign ships or subs as they entered the bay was very difficult to copy. They mixed the letters together and we had to "IMI" quite a bit. I often wonderd what they thought of us. I still miss Gtmo and my Cushman motor scooter. lol

Going to fire up the IC-718 on CW this weekend. Going to take BJ's advice and try 7.025-7.125 MHz first and then 21.025-21.200 MHz both of which are very quiet right now.
Harold

 

[BJ radionut]

Harold: This one look familar? The Vibroplex Lighting Bug....
made pre WWII/1979 was last production run

Small Pic of my "Cedar Rapids Bug"
All the Best
BJ

 

[Beetle]

Welcome to Vibroplex!

Here's a link to the Vibroplex company as it is today. Check out the "Out of Production" link. Heck, check them ALL out. And this is also where you can get extra weights.

BJ - that's a really good picture of the Lightning Bug!

 

[Jaymom]

Thats it BJ, thats the one I was referring to. I feel you are so lucky to have it, wish it was mine. Brings back a lot of wonderful memories. I guess I'll just have to keep looking.

Harold