 |
- 1939 Vibroplex Martin Junior
- Base is a trim 3" by 6"
- Nice light action like a Blue Racer
- Restored by AB7R
|
 |
- 1978 Vibroplex Lightning Bug Deluxe
|
 |
- 1954 Vibroplex Blue Racer
|
 |
- 1942 Bunnell J-36
- The rarest of the three J-36 keys (Vibroplex and Lionel being the other two).
- Made for the U.S. Army during WWII.
- Serial number 2312.
- My fastest key, nice light action!
|
 |
- Standard Radio Co. New York U.S.A., S/N 1520.
- Model No. is blank, but there is a 3 stamped on the lever arm.
- c.1943. More info at the K5RW online telegraph key museum.
- Bug restorer and collector KT5X discovered an original shipping box for this bug which positively identifies it as WW2 era U.S. Army Air Corps equipment.
- Here are KT5X's notes from his bug collection website, now apparently defunct.
- Obvious Vibroplex copy but engineered to a higher tolerance and beefier dimension.
- Very light touch and crisp action.. a pleasure to use.
- Split posts keep contact screws tight enough for use even without locknuts engaged making the key very easy to adjust.
- Standard Radio Co. supposedly made this model in japaned bases and colored bases. This one is beautifully nickle plated.
- My new favorite bug!
- I'd like to hear from anyone who can provide info on this key.
|
 |
- 2002 GHD GN127WS double lever bug from Japan.
- Can convert to single lever bug.
- Precise instrument with a very light touch.
- Shown with high speed weight. I also have the standard weight that is 3x this one's size.
|
 |
- Telegraph Apparatus Company (TAC) CP-810 c.1936.
- Nicknamed the Hole-in-the-Wall bug.
- Heavy! On wide 4-inch chromed steel base.
- Fast mainspring but lever feels slow side to side.
- Good action but fatigues me faster than a Vibroplex.
- Dits make a great metalic sound.. like a rattlesnake!
|
 |
- 1965 Vibroplex Original Presentation.
- LaHiff adjustable mainspring.
- Jeweled trunion bearings top and bottom, very smooth, no slop.
- Has a tiny grounding strap between the moving arm and the yoke as the jewels would otherwise insulate the moving arm from the yoke and prevent the circuit from closing.
|
 |
- 1922 Vibroplex Original.
- Acquired with original carrying box.
- Great action, very light touch combined with a fast mainspring makes for near-effortless keying at higher speeds.
- Base restored by KT5X. See before restoration.
|
 |
- 1923 Vibroplex Original.
- Base is crinkle-coat, not original, nor is the weight.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
- 1962 Vibroplex Lightning.
- Suprisingly good action.. makes crisp characters but requires a bit more umph to get it to play.
|
 |
- McElroy P-500 from 1941-2.
- A tank! This key is massive.
- Better action that the 1930's Mac-Key, but still clunky.
|
 |
- 1948 Vibroplex Original.
- Still works great and has a great feel.
- Original patina intact.
|
 |
- 2005 GHD GH-GF601MP.
- Sideswiper aka cootie key.
- Can be rewired as a single paddle for use with an electronic keyer.
- Yes, that's a piece of an actual hacksaw blade! See the teeth?
|
 |
- Bunnell Martin Flash Key Type No. 5-48.
- Very fast and light action.
|
 |
|
 |
- 1960's Skillman bug from Japan, still available as the Himound BK-100.
- Adjusts from very slow to slow.
- Clunky action, very loud, more so with the cover on!
- Click to see under the cover.
|
 |
- Schurr Profi 2.
- The best iambic paddle I've ever had the pleasure of using!
- Perfect weight, perfect feel, perfect.
- Price reference: Ebay auction on Aug 11, 2003, $202.50
|
 |
- CWTouchkeyer.com model P1PADW.
- Excellent implementation of touch keying.
- Paddles custom spaced by factory to match Schurr Profi spacing.
- Front-mounted pots and top-mounted switch are my custom mods. Jameco.com parts list.
|
 |
- 1970's Cricket 1 keyer.
- I had one like this when I was 16.. this one came from eBay.
- Ten-Tec like paddle's motion is crude but usable.
- Click to see rear of keyer.
|
 |
- Kent SP-1 single paddle.
- I use this as a sideswiper (cootie key).
|
 |
- Ten-Tec KR1B.
- Requires 12VDC for adjustable electromagnetic paddle return mechanism.
- What were they thinking?
|
 |
- NYE Master key.
- Mushy feel due to the lower contact being mounted on the thin stamped metal bottom cover!
- I had one like this when I was a Novice.. this one was $25 at a swap meet. The pivot pin was loose so I soldered it.. lovely job!
|
 |
|
 |
- 1940 W.T.8 AMP No 3 MX1.
- British WWII key made in many variations and in large quantities.
- Suprisingly good action.. I need to find a good base for it before the next SKN.
|
|
Logbook (4050) |
Guestbook (269) |
Links