Bencher Goes QRT

[W3WN]

Yes, you read that right.

Bencher is exiting the Amateur Radio business. But all is not lost!

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Press Release - March 18, 2015

Bencher, Inc. of Antioch Illinois announced the sale today of the Bencher Amateur Radio product lines to Vibroplex, LLC of Knoxville, Tennessee. This sale ends Bencher’s presence in the amateur radio field, thus allowing the principals, Jere Benedict, President, and Bob Locher, (W9KNI) to move towards retirement.

The product lines sold include the Bencher BY series of Iambic Paddles, (the world’s best selling iambic paddle, with over 150,000 sold) as well as the ST series of single lever paddles, the Bencher Hex Paddle, the N2DAN Mercury Paddle, and the Bencher RJ series Hand Keys. Also included in the sale are the HK-1 Universal Hook-up kit and the YA-1 Low Pass Filter.

Vibroplex has agreed to honor the manufacturer’s warranties of all covered products, and to offer parts and support for these products as well.

Vibroplex will continue to offer the Bencher products through existing marketing channels.

Vibroplex may be contacted at http://www.vibroplex.com, or at (865) 309-5073.

Jere Benedict and Bob Locher wish to express their gratitude to the amateur radio community for its interest and support since the sale of the first Bencher amateur radio products in the early 1970’s.

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Now, be honest. How many of you knew Bob Locher had a partner? Now we know where the name "Bencher" comes from.

And considering the sale of the Butternut antennas a few months back (boy, do i wish W4PA had gotten them instead of DXE), the news isn't really THAT surprising.

[K7SGJ]

Since Vibroplex has keys for iambic operation in chrome, and other finishes, as well as single paddles, all of which are very similar to the Bencher line, I wonder how long the Bencher keys will continue? It seems that, although the Bencher line has been a good seller, Vibroplex could have made this move to eliminate the competition. I have several dual paddle keys as well as singles, and the difference between the Bencher and Vibroplex isn't all that dramatic, other than the looks. Of course the Benchers are a few bucks less, but, for me, the Vibroplex is a little smoother, and probably worth the little extra. However, since I bought the Begali, the others are rarely used any more. It is a fabulous paddle.

In the long run, it will be curious to see what happens.

[W3WN]

Since Vibroplex has keys for iambic operation in chrome, and other finishes, as well as single paddles, all of which are very similar to the Bencher line, I wonder how long the Bencher keys will continue? It seems that, although the Bencher line has been a good seller, Vibroplex could have made this move to eliminate the competition. I have several dual paddle keys as well as singles, and the difference between the Bencher and Vibroplex isn't all that dramatic, other than the looks. Of course the Benchers are a few bucks less, but, for me, the Vibroplex is a little smoother, and probably worth the little extra. However, since I bought the Begali, the others are rarely used any more. It is a fabulous paddle.

In the long run, it will be curious to see what happens.

I have known Scott W4PA for many years, going back to when he worked at Ten-Tec prior to his buying Vibroplex. (Anyone who's used an Orion can thank Scott, he had a huge part in the design of the radio)

He is not a fool.

As long as the Bencher paddles & keys are popular, he will sell them. (IMHO)

There is not a huge overlap in the product lines. Bencher never made a bug, for one thing.

Now, you may see some consolidation. But that will be driven by sales. We shall see. If anything, I might expect one of the Vibroplex paddles to go out of production. But not the Benchers.

But the bottom line is, the man is trying to make a living in the field that he truly loves. He's not going to do anything overtly stupid.

[N8YX]

Me(t)h.

If I want ultra-CW-snobbery I'll buy one of these:

GN907A.jpg

Or one of these:

vib-tripkey-dv_wu.jpg

[K7SGJ]

Me(t)h.

If I want ultra-CW-snobbery I'll buy one of these:

GN907A.jpg

Or one of these:

vib-tripkey-dv_wu.jpg

Bah. If you had the bottom one, you'd have to grow a third hand, or may WIK could..........oh.........never mind.

[n0iu]

Me(t)h.

If I want ultra-CW-snobbery I'll buy one of these:

GN907A.jpg

Or one of these:

vib-tripkey-dv_wu.jpg

Or one of these:



Its a Bencher Mercury. Bencher bought the rights to manufacture these to N2DAN's exacting specs. They will set you back 5 Benjies but they are a dream to use. According to the Vibroplex website, they still intend on making these... for now.

Why should I let my kids inherit all my money???

[K7SGJ]

Or one of these:



Its a Bencher Mercury. Bencher bought the rights to manufacture these to N2DAN's exacting specs. They will set you back 5 Benjies but they are a dream to use. According to the Vibroplex website, they still intend on making these... for now.

Why should I let my kids inherit all my money???

You SHOULD be spending their inheritance.

[ka4dpo]

I think he can work them simultaneously by virtue of his massive experience as a ham. Anyway, the top keyer is totally bitchen, I don't know what it is but I want one.

[suddenseer]

I own an old beat up bug with weights that I turned on an engine lathe. I also have the Bencher with the 5555 clock chip as sold by MFJ. This keyer set is the most fun one I have ever owned. It allows my sending to sound like I know what I am doing (I don't)

[KG4CGC]

Congrats to the old dudes for making it to retirement.

So, what is the name of the program that allows you to type on your keyboard and send out perfect CW?