W4PA To Buy Vibroplex

[W3WN]

The good news:

Scott Robbins, world class contester and Product Manager for Ten-Tec's Amateur Radio line, has announced that he is buying Vibroplex. Full story at http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/07/11233/?nc=1

The better news:
Martin F. Jue is not.

[kf0rt]

The better news:
Martin F. Jue is not.

:rofl: :rofl: :neener:

[W3WN]

The better news:
Martin F. Jue is not.

:rofl: :rofl: :neener:
+2

[N2NH]

Considering how often Vibroplex has changed hands lately, it seems time for last orders will come soon.

[KG4CGC]

People still buy keys?
I thought real ops made them from scratch parts bought at the local hardware haberdashery.

[KG4CGC]

Check out Steve's "Hotel Room" key. Tenth pic down.

http://www.qsl.net/wd8das/gallery.html

[WØTKX]

That is good news, and a perfect "fit" for both Ten Tec and Vibroplex. Scott is a really neat guy, he's helped me via Emails and phone calls with clues to obscure Omni D details. Like the weirdo NB option.

Now, my Bencher "chrome" is seriously wrong... with four of Ten Tec's fine radios in the shack. :snicker:

So will new Vibroplex models have an orange dot or a black dot? :chin: :rofl:

[W3WN]

That is good news, and a perfect "fit" for both Ten Tec and Vibroplex. Scott is a really neat guy, he's helped me via Emails and phone calls with clues to obscure Omni D details. Like the weirdo NB option.

Now, my Bencher "chrome" is seriously wrong... with four of Ten Tec's fine radios in the shack. :snicker:

So will new Vibroplex models have an orange dot or a black dot? :chin: :rofl:
Hmmm. Maybe that's my problem. I have my Vibroplex Brass Racer on the TS-480S, and the Bencher BY-2 on the Corsair II. I guess it's going to have to be the other way around now? :twisted:

I've exchanged a few emails with Scott since the announcement. Sounds like he's sounding both excited and nervous about this venture, which is a good thing. He knows the first few months are going to be "hectic."

I did extend an invitation to him to come to our hamfest in February if he feels he's ready... or to at least send literature etc. if he doesn't or can't make it. I'm kinda hoping he'll take us up on the offer.

And I guess I'm going to have to figure out a way to throw some shekels his way. Just never was much of a bug man, and until (if) I get a third station assembled, no need for another set of paddles.

Hmmm. I wonder if he'll take Bencher's in on trade... :twisted:

[KG4CGC]

Has anyone made an optical paddle?

[WØTKX]

I used to use a bug years ago, and now that I use a keyer my bug rhythm is gone.

So I have resisted the temptation to get a nice one.


Has anyone made an optical paddle?Yes, unless you mean home brew...

http://www.mtechnologies.com/ghd/ghdlabel.jpg

http://www.mtechnologies.com/ghd/gd507ab.jpg

http://www.mtechnologies.com/ghd/odetail.jpg


The "D" models use an optical sensor arrangement which eliminates the need for physical contacts and results in extremely smooth operation. The sensor requires an external power supply of +10 to 15VDC, connected via a pre-attached pigtail lead with socket. Matching plug and a power cord are supplied. The images show the base of the GD105MKII bug, and a closeup of the sensor arrangement. To view an image of the circuit diagram, click here. One might think the sensors themselves should be relatively inexpensive, but in the bug or paddle application the sensors have to be extremely fast. In fact, the cost of the sensors themselves accounts for 80% of the price difference between the optical and mechanical models, with the balance being the electronics to support them.

http://www.mtechnologies.com/ghd/circuit.jpg

[N2NH]

Has anyone made an optical paddle?

Yep. A Japanese company GHD has. I'm hoping that eventually Vibroplex will too.

I have a vintage Vibroplex from the 1920s when their offices and factory was on
Flatbush Ave. right here in Brooklyn. It still has the Gold Leaf and "china"
Laquer black finish. Needs a few parts and some re-chroming, but eventually
I'll work it back into like-new shape. A very beautiful key.

Normally I use a Schurr Portable with a PK-3, the NYE-Viking squeeze
key (with built-in memory unit) or the Bencher with the MFJ memory
unit piggybacked on it. All are fun to use. When my speed gets up to
over 25 WPM, the Schurr is the only one that can keep up though.

[N2NH]

New News on this story - Vibroplex to move to Knoxville:


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, reported Monday that a Knoxville man has purchased the nation’s oldest operating business in the Amateur Radio industry.

Vibroplex has been making Morse Keys for telegraphs since 1904. According to the ARRL Scott Robbins recently bought the company and will move it from Mobile, Alabama to Knoxville at the end of September.

Telegraphs are considered obsolete in the 21st century, but a small community of ham radio operators still use them. In ham lingo, a Morse Key is referred to as a “bug”

SO they'll probably be neighbors of TenTec.

EDIT: Ah, saw this was in the original story now... well it was news to me. :doh:

Vibroplex leaving Alabama (http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/78750422.html)

[kf0rt]

In ham lingo, a Morse Key is referred to as a “bug”

And in hunting lingo, a semi-auto is known as a "machine gun." :rofl: :rofl:

[N4VGB]

More goodies for me to look over at the TenTec hamfest.