Well now, Howard, based on your reply below, I just have to ask
what is it you are doing with those paddles?? 73, Jim WA6EKS
----- Original Message -----
From: Howard Kaufman <[log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Date sent: Wed, 3 Jul 2013 22:59:32 -0500
Subject: Re: Vibroplex bug for sale
Very well writen and true. I have spent time with those paddles,
and they
feel better than hot sex on a cold day!!!----- Original Message
-----
From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]
To: <[log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 5:15 PM
Subject: Re: Vibroplex bug for sale
Hello guys,
The subject of Scott's post made me think of CW in general, and
keys/paddles
more specifically. I had been mostly a phone operator for quite
a few
years. When I was licensed as a Novice back in 1962, I of
course had to
use
CW, and I continued using it for some time after getting my
General,
Advanced, and ultimately my Extra. But somewhere along the line
I sort of
gave up CW, probably out of pure laziness. However, in the past
5 years
or
so, I decided that it was time to have some fun on CW. I never
had any
trouble copying code, up to about 35 WPM or so, but my fist was
sure
rusty.
This was partly due to a serious medical problem, and the meds
necessary
to
ease the pain. In 2008 I was diagnosed with terminal cancer,
and as a
direct result, I have been on powerful narcotics to deal with
the pain.
The
side effects of taking drugs like that impacted on my fist, even
though I
knew what dots and dashes needed to be sent, my fist would
simply not
respond quickly enough. In any event, I decided that I needed a
better
iambic paddle, and after some research, I ended up buying a
terrific
magnetic paddle from Begali. For those that aren't familiar
with Begali,
it
is an Italion company that used to make precision parts for
exotic sports
cars. Well, the owner decided to retire, but he didn't want to
close up
shop, and lay his valued employees off. Being an avid CW
operator
himself,
the owner decided that he would manufacture the best keys and
paddles
available in the world, and so he has. Begali paddles are
precision made
on
computer controlled machines, and are made out of the finest
alloys, such
as
Titanium, aircraft grade Aluminum, and carbon fiber. The
paddles are
naturally expensive, but boy what a feel they provide. There
are a dozen
or
more different models, all which are made of different alloys,
and all of
different shapes and weights. I first bought a model named the
Magnetic
Classic, which uses magnets rather than springs. Spring
tensions change
with temperature, and also over time. Magnets are not subject
to varying
temperatures, and there is no mechanical vibration or binding
to deal
with.
With a key that uses springs, they need to be readjusted from
time to
time.
I also remember having to readjust the distance that the arms
have to
travel
before contact is made. With magnets, there is none of that.
The
magnetic
Classic is a beautiful piece with gold plating, and is at the
lower end of
the Begali price spectrum. I don't mean to say that it is
cheap, just
that
it costs less than most of the paddles they make. If I recall
correctly,
the key cost me about $275 at Dayton a couple years ago. Liking
the
Magnetic Classic so well, I decided to order a real beauty
called the
Stradivarius. This model not only uses magnets instead of
springs, but it
has no pins and ball bearings as most keys employ. Instead of
pins and
bearings, this one uses torsion blades. There is absolutely no
friction
as
there is with the normal pivot arrangement when ball bearings
are
employed.
Now, I don't want to suggest that there is a lot of friction
when
precision
bearings and pins are used, but with tortion blades, there is
absolutely
no
friction at all. The combination of magnets and torsion blades
result in
a
mechanism which is almost impossible to believe. The
Stradivarius cost
about $450, but it was worth every penny of it. Instead of gold
plating
that is on my first paddle, this one is plated with Titanium
Nitrate which
is black, giving the unit an industrial look.
Will all of this make me a better CW operator, I don't know, but
it sure
feels great to use, and everyone that visits my shack can't help
noticing
the paddles, even those who know nothing about CW or ham radio.
Best 73, KD7GC
Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Scott Howell
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 1:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Vibroplex bug for sale
Hi all,
I have a Vibroplex bug, number 201849, for sale. The bug was
purchased =
directly from Vibroplex a couple of years ago and is in very
good shape =
for its age. There is a bit of wear on the corners which was
present =
when I purchased it. I also will include an extension that
slows the =
bug's speed down to somewhere around 10 wpm or a little slower.
I'm =
selling it because I have another bug here someone gave me about
15 =
years ago that was a gift. I really don't use the bug very much
and =
would like to find it a good home. I'm asking $100
shipped/insured or =
make a reasonable offer.
Please contact me directly at [log in to unmask] to avoid
cluttering =
the list.
73
Scott/N3BYY
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