Buddy
I have a 1911 Vibraplex which I had restored a couple of years ago. It
still has its original serial number plate on it!
73
David W Wood
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Buddy Brannan
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 5:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Query on CW Designation
I have four bugs on my desk, none of which is a Vibroplex:
1) Electro bug. Electro apparently was a company that made bugs, mostly =
for landline telegraphy, from 1924-1934. Some of their bugs used line =
current from the telegraph wires to make the dits. But they also made a =
radio bug, which is what this one is. Uses a square weight like the =
Vibroplex Lightning bug or the J-36. I think I read somewhere that =
Electro was the direct predecessor to SpeedX.
2) SpeedX Model 515. Les Logan era, before SpeedX was bought by Johnson, =
and certainly before it was bought by Nye and the bugs discontinued. =
This was a neat find on eBay, because it also came with the original =
1942-sh vintage flyer listing all the available accessories that one =
could get for it. Narrower base, doesn't have the T bar at the top like =
others of the Les Logan bugs do, or like the Electro does. It uses the =
usual sort of round weights. This one even came with the original cloth =
covered cord with attached wedge.=20
3) The so-called Cedar Rapids Bug. I read this one was the only bug that =
was ever sold as a kit. Looks like a Vibroplex. It's really heavy, too. =
I haven't had much of a chance to operate with it though.=20
4) The Lionel J-36. The one I got still had its original name and serial =
number plate, although it was attached by just one rivet, and all the =
edges were all curled up. It was, you might say, in pretty bad shape. So =
I removed it...I'd like to get a replica of it made and attached, so =
I've kept it. So I'm one of only a few who actually knows the serial =
number of his Lionel J-36. Most of them don't have their original serial =
number plates anymore, because they were plastic. Or maybe because they =
were removed when the radio ops left the service and their bugs followed =
them, by accident no doubt. Yes, I know this is a clone of the Vibroplex =
Lightning bug, but it isn't a Vibroplex.=20
It amuses me to operate with keys that are heavier than the radios to =
which they are attached. So operating a bug connected to the KX3 is too =
much fun. Small amusements for small minds, you know.=20
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194=20
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: [log in to unmask]
> On Jun 26, 2015, at 12:14 PM, Jim Shaffer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>=20
> A side swiper is like a bug, but without the weighted side that makes =
the=20
> dots. In other words, you can make one by connecting both sides of a =
keyer=20
> paddle together, and then hooking it up like a straight key. So it =
can be=20
> thought of as a side-to-side straight key. I've also heard of folks =
using=20
> two straight keys, one for each hand. I prefer a bug myself. I use a=20=
> Vibroplex Original.
> --
> Jim, ke5al
> -----Original Message-----=20
> From: Matthew Chao
> Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 9:38 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Query on CW Designation
>=20
> I know what a bug is, but what's a sideswiper? Also, are there still
> keyboards that can be plugged into the keyer circuit of my TS480SAT
> so I can just type the letters? Saw one at a Field Day many years
> ago. It was similar to a typewriter keyboard, and the guy would just
> type away. You'd hear the sidetone, and could adjust the sending
> rate. If they still exist, might want one of these, as my wrist gets
> tired tapping away at the straight key.--Matt, N1IBB.
>=20
> At 10:18 AM 6/26/2015 -0400, you wrote:
>> Yes! It's the Straight Key Century Clubc
>> http://www.skccgroup.com
>>=20
>> Bunch of guys/gals who use straight keys, sideswipers, and bugs.
>>=20
>> --
>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV SKCC #8549 - Erie, PA
>> Phone: 814-860-3194
>> Mobile: 814-431-0962
>> Email: [log in to unmask]
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>>> On Jun 26, 2015, at 10:00 AM, Matthew Chao <[log in to unmask]> =
wrote:
>>>=20
>>> Hi, Folks. I was tuning around on 20 meters when I heard a CQ,
>>> followed by SKCC, then the usual "de" and the callsign. Anyone know
>>> what skcc means? Thanks.--Matt, N1IBB.
>>>=20
>=20
>=20
> ---
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