About 52 years ago, while a novice, I purchased a Bug from Lafayette Radio. It had a plastic cover that could be removed. In order to slow it down, I would clip on a clothes pin. I took it with me (sans the clothes pin) when I went to the Tampa FCC office for my General qualification. While waiting for the office to open, one of the guys waiting asked me what it was? When I told him it was a Bug, he said they should be outlawed, I can't copy them. I said they are perfectly readable, if you have good timing of dot/dash ratio. My Bug was slowed all the way down. When it came time to send text to FCC examiner, I only got half way through the text, when he said "thats good, you pass". The guy who complained about the use of Bugs, failed his code.
Bob, the BUG DESCRATCHER is still available from Jackson Harbor Press at $6 for a basic kit or $10 for one which incorporates a solid state relay which allows you to key anything - solid state or high positive/negative voltage tube rig. It's a great deal. I can't put the URL here because UA-cam won't allow it but just Google "Jackson Harbor Press" and take it from there. 73, Stan
Just the kind of info and comments we newbies need. If you're lucky enough to have an original bi-metal Vibroflex connector, you can enter it into the circuit closer clip on a straight key or the Viz vertical key (If it has one) and just switch back and forth between slow and either faster or just slightly faster, to mesh with your QSO contact. You can make a bi-metal connector pretty easy. Thhanks again.
Thanks Stan! I'm entranced by CW and have another expert like you here in NH mentoring me. His name is Jim Cluett, W1PID. He's got a fascinating website as well - it just his call sign dot com. Jim specializes in QRP out in the field. I'm pretty deep into Internet stuff as I'm the AsktheBuilder guy. I'm also trying to share amateur radio knowledge via videos as well just like you. Those of us just learning really appreciate your taking the time to put up videos.
Tony -- thanks for the comment. Is that "INT QRU" at the end of your comment? Wow, I haven't heard that since my navy days. SO much better than "QRU ?" !! IMO, the military had it *right* with the interrogative -- set the op up for the question to come. Too bad it never translated to ham radio. 73, Stan.
really interesting - i had a 1980s vibroplex and i had to put a clothespin on the metal weight to get the dots slow enough (to match my preferred slow sending). I always had a straight key nearby because I would always get flustered in the middle of a contact so I could switch over to my straight key. I was not a really professional cw operator but i liked it better than any other mode. I really like this video.
i have bn brought up on straight keys in the army and have used bugs but i lose my concentration about what i am sending, when useing one so i always go bk to a straight key, my j45 leg key is my favorite,i also collect military straight keys, i have 2 bugs a j 36 lionel bug and a old vibroplex made during WW2. nice video and very informative. hve fun qru int qru. tony
You have a nice website, Tim. Keep working on the CW and one day it will be just another language like French or Italian. There's still something fundamentally satisfying about mastering a skill like CW. 73!
As a new ham, I'm excited to be able to learn CW. I'm putting off studying for my Extra in lieu of learning CW. I was gifted a Vibroplex Champion that needs some repairs. Hopefully I'll be able to participate with some of the clubs that you mentioned. Where can I find out more information about the two that you mentioned?
It's called "patina" ;) - clear lacquer prevents it. The "engine turn" finish keeps fingerprints and smudges at bay and hides scratches. And there's nothing like brass to really hold its adjustments. You need a wrench to loosen the adjusting nuts 24 hours after you've hand-tightened them. But...to each his own. 73 and enjoy ham radio!
Hello. I'm wondering how the pendulum movement works in the dit side. I already know that the arm articulates, that the dit usually has a spring, and everything about the deadener (rattly wheel). What I want to know is: how does the pendulum keep moving? Hidden electromagnets? (Solenoids? Where is the thing located, I can't spot it in any of the Vibroplex diagrams) Some weird electronic resonance thing? Kraut space magic? American space magic? UFO space magic? Bi-metal strips?
If the Brass Racer is "black" go out and buy yourself some "BRASSO". It's in a red, white, and blue can and can be found in supermarkets in the cleaning aisle. It's what we used in the Navy to shine our brass belt buckles for inspection. Then buy a can of lacquer spray from Home Depot to prevent it from turning "black" again. Use a couple light coats so there are no "runs." DO NOT GET EITHER THE BRASSO OR THE LACQUER SPRAY ON THE CONTACTS! 73 ..
very interesting. i have one bug only (japanese coffin) and it is toooooooooooo damn fast in the slowest position. yau cant do less than 20 wpm or so with it... You have shown to me, that it might be worthwhile to look for different bugs. I always thought this is the way it is with the bugs.. obviously i was wrong. thanks, 73 OH8XAT
Not sure if you still have the "coffin" but I put the weight all the to the end and then siliconed 4 quarters to the top of the weight and I'll be it slowed it right down !! Give it a try . not as slow as the Vizkey Vert. but alot slower than without the quarters !
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I fell in love with Vizkeys from this video. It was heart wrenching when I found he was retired.
i have ALWAYS wanted a vertical key! enjoy you lucky dog
About 52 years ago, while a novice, I purchased a Bug from Lafayette Radio. It had a plastic cover that could be removed. In order to slow it down, I would clip on a clothes pin. I took it with me (sans the clothes pin) when I went to the Tampa FCC office for my General qualification. While waiting for the office to open, one of the guys waiting asked me what it was? When I told him it was a Bug, he said they should be outlawed, I can't copy them. I said they are perfectly readable, if you have good timing of dot/dash ratio.
My Bug was slowed all the way down. When it came time to send text to FCC examiner, I only got half way through the text, when he said "thats good, you pass". The guy who complained about the use of Bugs, failed his code.
Just love the vertical Vizkey. Great demo.
Sandy
that vertical vizkey sounds amazing !!! Gotta get me one of those. Thanks for the Video !!
Bob, the BUG DESCRATCHER is still available from Jackson Harbor Press at $6 for a basic kit or $10 for one which incorporates a solid state relay which allows you to key anything - solid state or high positive/negative voltage tube rig. It's a great deal. I can't put the URL here because UA-cam won't allow it but just Google "Jackson Harbor Press" and take it from there.
73, Stan
Just the kind of info and comments we newbies need. If you're lucky enough to have an original bi-metal Vibroflex connector, you can enter it into the circuit closer clip on a straight key or the Viz vertical key (If it has one) and just switch back and forth between slow and either faster or just slightly faster, to mesh with your QSO contact. You can make a bi-metal connector pretty easy. Thhanks again.
Thanks Stan! I'm entranced by CW and have another expert like you here in NH mentoring me. His name is Jim Cluett, W1PID. He's got a fascinating website as well - it just his call sign dot com. Jim specializes in QRP out in the field.
I'm pretty deep into Internet stuff as I'm the AsktheBuilder guy. I'm also trying to share amateur radio knowledge via videos as well just like you.
Those of us just learning really appreciate your taking the time to put up videos.
Fantastic video Stan. I will be adding The Viz Vertical to my collection. Just what the doctor ordered for slowing down those dits!
Bob - W2TAC
You are awesome!!! Thank you for posting I am now looking at these keys at VIZKEY!
Very nice, but I thought the dots on the vertical were a little short.
Tony -- thanks for the comment. Is that "INT QRU" at the end of your comment? Wow, I haven't heard that since my navy days. SO much better than "QRU ?" !! IMO, the military had it *right* with the interrogative -- set the op up for the question to come. Too bad it never translated to ham radio. 73, Stan.
really interesting - i had a 1980s vibroplex and i had to put a clothespin on the metal weight to get the dots slow enough (to match my preferred slow sending). I always had a straight key nearby because I would always get flustered in the middle of a contact so I could switch over to my straight key. I was not a really professional cw operator but i liked it better than any other mode. I really like this video.
Does the vertical key have a rubber bumper also? Perhaps one can be added to it. The quieter the better.
@PolInHM Yes, the "swirl" (sometimes referred to as "engine turn") is standard. Rolex makes a watch bezel with the same "engine turn" finish ;) 73.
i have bn brought up on straight keys in the army and have used bugs but i lose my concentration about what i am sending, when useing one so i always go bk to a straight key, my j45 leg key is my favorite,i also collect military straight keys, i have 2 bugs a j 36 lionel bug and a old vibroplex made during WW2. nice video and very informative. hve fun qru int qru. tony
You have a nice website, Tim. Keep working on the CW and one day it will be just another language like French or Italian. There's still something fundamentally satisfying about mastering a skill like CW. 73!
Gonna get one for XMAS!
I had a Vibroplex Brass Racer....it turned almost black. But..perhaps it wasn't
finished properly??
As a new ham, I'm excited to be able to learn CW. I'm putting off studying for my Extra in lieu of learning CW. I was gifted a Vibroplex Champion that needs some repairs. Hopefully I'll be able to participate with some of the clubs that you mentioned. Where can I find out more information about the two that you mentioned?
The Long Island CW Club is awesome! They have zoom classes every day. Like you, Im also wanting to learn CW before studying for my Extra. Kudos!
If you have other keys with a tarnished finish, use Brasso to restore and polish them.
Hi Stan -- I saw your Vizkey video --and HEARD you say you have a BUG DESCRATCHER--Where did you get it or how did u make it--Thanks Bob N WB2FLX
It's called "patina" ;) - clear lacquer prevents it. The "engine turn" finish keeps fingerprints and smudges at bay and hides scratches. And there's nothing like brass to really hold its adjustments. You need a wrench to loosen the adjusting nuts 24 hours after you've hand-tightened them. But...to each his own. 73 and enjoy ham radio!
Hello.
I'm wondering how the pendulum movement works in the dit side. I already know that the arm articulates, that the dit usually has a spring, and everything about the deadener (rattly wheel). What I want to know is: how does the pendulum keep moving?
Hidden electromagnets? (Solenoids? Where is the thing located, I can't spot it in any of the Vibroplex diagrams)
Some weird electronic resonance thing?
Kraut space magic?
American space magic?
UFO space magic?
Bi-metal strips?
Nice little video
Very nice sounding code.
I might get one. Problem is, I HATE the brass finish.
Looks nice now, but give it a few years, and it looks awful!
I would choose anything over brass!
If the Brass Racer is "black" go out and buy yourself some "BRASSO". It's in a red, white, and blue can and can be found in supermarkets in the cleaning aisle. It's what we used in the Navy to shine our brass belt buckles for inspection. Then buy a can of lacquer spray from Home Depot to prevent it from turning "black" again. Use a couple light coats so there are no "runs." DO NOT GET EITHER THE BRASSO OR THE LACQUER SPRAY ON THE CONTACTS! 73 ..
beautifull, send one vertical for Argentina !, LU1QDQ, 73.
Great video , I am going to look into getting one of those vertical bugs.
Larry k5jyd
You could have bought this for less than that roofing filter you just splurged on!
very interesting. i have one bug only (japanese coffin) and it is toooooooooooo damn fast in the slowest position. yau cant do less than 20 wpm or so with it...
You have shown to me, that it might be worthwhile to look for different bugs.
I always thought this is the way it is with the bugs.. obviously i was wrong.
thanks, 73 OH8XAT
Not sure if you still have the "coffin" but I put the weight all the to the end and then siliconed 4 quarters to the top of the weight and I'll be it slowed it right down !! Give it a try . not as slow as the Vizkey Vert. but alot slower than without the quarters !
Same with my late 60s Vibroplex blue racer
SKCC #10573 HR 73