News from A.R.S. W8MDE

Vibroplex Original Standard Bug

I've spent the last few weeks fairly radio-active putting the new Vibroplex Vibrocube through it's paces. Well at least all the pace my 16 - 18 word per minute CW skills allow.   With work and chores around the house to share in I don't have much extra time to devote to amateur radio but I steal away for some on air fun whenever possible.  

Saturday morning while tuning the bands I came upon a special event station in Iowa working CW.  I made contact and got him in the log.  My QSL card is in route as I type this and I'll post the details once I receive the special event card in return.

Later that evening at 00:01UTC the Straight Key Century Club monthly Week End Sprint got underway and I settled in to make some contacts using my straight keys and Vibroplex Original bug.  I worked my way down from 20 meters (14 MHz) through 40 (7 MHz) and finally late at night I bounced back and forth between 40 and 80 meters (3.5 MHz).  I enjoy the SKCC sprints.  For one thing the code speeds range from a slow 10 wpm to a blistering 20 wpm at the most.  I alternate between the bug and straight key depending on the speed of the other operator.  As I have said before what makes the WES stand out among operating events is the spirit of camaraderie evident in the friendly and relaxed exchanges between members.

SKCC January 2012 Week End Sprint Log W8MDE

14.053    K7VMK    Washington State
7.118     K1LEE    Connecticut
7.117     WA1VIL    Massachusetts
7.111     N6CMF    California
7.109     K3Y/4    Alabama
3.550     W3NP    West Virginia
3.554     K1LEE    Connecticut*
3.550     K3Y/9    Wisconsin
3.551     N3GJ    Pennsylvania
3.556     WA1VIL    Massachusetts*
3.549     K4BAI    Georgia
3.546     N3JJT    Ohio
3.550     KI0I    Missouri
7.115     F6HKA  France
3.550     AA2FD    Virginia
7.116     W7GVE    Arizona
7.118     KE4WKH    Alabama
7.123     F5JWH    France
7.116     KD5JHE    Mississippi
14.059    K3Y/0    Minnesota
14.053    K3Y/1    Massachusetts
7.120     K8JD    Michigan
7.117     K4CML    Virginia
7.112     N9OL/qrp    Indiana
7.114     W9HLY    Indiana
7.116     WB8YXF    Virginia
7.116     WD9DWE    Indiana
7.114     NG1O    Missouri
3.550     WB8YXF    Virginia*
3.552     NW2K    New York
7.114     K4AOA    North Carolina

*Worked station on 2 different bands

It's January and for the SKCC that means time for the month long K3Y 6th Anniversary Special Event.  As noted above in my sprint log I have four K3Y stations and last night I worked a K3Y/3 in Pennsylvania bringing my total to five.

K3Y/4    Alabama
K3Y/9    Wisconsin
K3Y/0    Minnesota
K3Y/1    Massachusetts
K3Y/3    Pennsylvania

Last year I posted the details of this interesting operating event here.




Until next time 73, from W8MDE... Over and out!

Vibroplex Vibrocube #401321

I first learned of the new Vibroplex iambic paddle from several ham radio blogs I read.  A couple attributes of the new key got my attention and it didn't take me long to decide to add this instrument to the lineup at amateur radio station W8MDE.

If this is the first time you have seen this key please take a moment to go to the Vibroplex website and see the Vibrocube in it's stock configuration for yourself.  Red knobs and finger pieces have been a stock color on certain keys for probably longer than I've been around.  While not a fan of the red finger pieces it's not the color of the new Vibrocube paddles that triggered the double take but the gigantic size.  I tried the red finger pieces and they actuate the levers fine but I just couldn't get over the big red clown shoe feeling.  

As Scott Robbins, W4PA explains on his website the Vibrocube's design clearly addresses the requirements of the large handed radio telegraphy operator.  The big finger pieces accommodate a wide range of hand positions and the heavy base provides a rock solid foundation ready for the roughest fist.

What caught my attention was the height of the levers.  In my short three years as a cw ham I've noticed a common shortcoming on all of my Morse Code paddles.  They all seem too short to me. (Pun!)  When I received my package from the mailman Saturday morning I pulled the finger pieces from my Vibroplex Iambic Standard and installed them on the new key.  To demonstrate my hand position while using the Vibrocube place your fist down on the desk as if you were firing a pistol.  I use my thumb and index finger to operate the dual levers of the key but leave my hand in the shooting bench stance.  This just seems more natural and comfortable to me compared to my wrist down flat on the table which must be a more common practice based on the short stature of today's CW paddles.

With the black oval finger pieces from my Iambic Standard I think the Vibrocube looks great and sends code just as well.  I tend to like a key whose levers have more mass and greater contact spacing to provide some tactile response to my inputs.  I attribute this to many hours spent slapping the lever of my bug key while mastering that amazing contraption.  The contact spacing is set using a qsl card to set the gap. I can feel the movement and hear a distinct clink as the switch closes. 

I do tend to occasionally get excited and push a little too hard on the lever causing my key to skid one way or the other during a live contact on the air.  It doesn't happen often or affect my sending but it is annoying.  The weight of the Vibrocube definitely solves that problem.

      

Though not a true cube the perimeter of the Vibrocube base is a square 3-1/2 inches on a side and 1-1/2 inches deep.  This chunk of solid steel provides nearly 6 pounds of mass.  Needless to say the key stays put.

Another startling feature of the Vibrocube is the black wrinkle powder coating on the yoke and levers.  I like this departure from the usual flashy chrome pieces.  The wrinkle coat photographs like glossy wet paint due to the bright studio lights but to the eye it appears matte black and looks great on the desk.

For the final bit of customization I swapped out the standard black feet for soft white rubber bumpers that I think add a touch of class. Like white patent leather shoes with a black tuxedo or white wall tires on an old classic car.

  

The Vibrocube nameplate is smaller than the standard Knoxville, TN nameplate and this latest revision sports a bold red outline stripe that greatly improves the look of the current screen printed plate.

Of course the best thing about a new key is putting it on the air.  I've really enjoyed the Vibrocube and logged some nice contacts with it over the holiday weekend:

12/24/11  14.061 MHz  (25 watts)  AA1TH/qrp  Boston, MA

12/24/11  14.048 MHz  (100 watts)  W0WM  Sisseton, SD

12/24/11  14.055 MHz  (100 watts)  KJ6POQ  San Lorenzo, CA

12/25/11  14.040 MHz  (50 watts)  KX5P  Plano, TX

12/26/11  14.041 MHz  (50 watts)  N4ZMP  Pensacola, FL

Power shown is my transmit power out.  Rig is an Icom 718 HF transceiver. Antenna is an End Fed Half Wave wire (34 feet long) up 38 feet above ground.  The Vibrocube is connected to a Logikey K5 electronic keyer which forms perfect dots and dashes. My putting them together in perfect order is another story entirely. 

KD8JHJ/QRP Report

Sunday afternoon while I was waiting for the Superbowl to start I decided to set up my MFJ 9040 qrp transceiver on the kitchen table and see what was on the amateur airwaves.  From this operating position I could see the television in the other room and keep an eye on the pot of ham and bean soup simmering away on the stove.  Sunday afternoon multi-tasking at it's best!

After my second set of CQ calls WA4WMN in Robbins, TN answered my call.  This was my first qrp contact of 2011.  This was also the first time I have used the Vibroplex Iambic paddles to drive the internal Curtis keyer that I installed in the MFJ rig last year.  The combination worked great and I have really come to enjoy operating this little battery powered rig.

Monday evening after dinner I was scanning around the lower end of the 40 meter band and came across a strong signal calling CQ.  I answered the call and promptly established contact with K0JVX in Olathe, Kansas.  John who was 648 miles away sent a signal report of 579.  We enjoyed a half hour chat before I signed off as John's signal was slowly getting weaker and weaker.  High frequency radio propagation is always changing and a good op will be mindful of conditions and draw to a close a QSO if conditions deteriorate. 

Tuesday morning found me at the kitchen table enjoying my coffee and sending out some CQ's.  My normal procedure when calling CQ with the MFJ is to send:  "CQ CQ CQ DE KD8JHJ KD8JHJ K" (pause) "CQ CQ CQ DE KD8JHJ KD8JHJ K" (pause) "CQ CQ CQ DE KD8JHJ/QRP  KD8JHJ/QRP  AR".  CQ means "calling any station", DE is a telegraphy abbreviation for "This is..." and the "K" on the end stands for "Go Ahead" or please respond now.  Every third call I amend my call sign with /QRP to denote to any stations that happen upon my signal that I am operating low power at five watts or less.  The AR at the very end of my transmission stands for "End Of Message"  These abbreviations or "Prosigns" are a long standing and handy tradition of telegraphy.  Because every letter of every word must be manually keyed into the transmitter the prosigns make sending traffic much easier and less work.  After a short time an operator becomes used to these codes within the code.  Another useful Q-signal is QTH which means "My Location Is".  The distinctive three letter signal warns the receiving operator to get ready for incoming information.  With use prosigns become instantly recognizable buzz words that help the telegraphy operators keep on track and ready for what is coming next. 

After sending my first three calls station W2ZRA located in the north-east end of Long Island, New York answered my call matching my sending speed perfectly.  The operator's name was Kevin and he sent back a 589 signal report from his QTH 540 miles away.  I am proud to have our QSO in the log.  It turns out Kevin was a U.S. Coast Guard radio operator aboard the USCGC Hamilton serving in the North Atlantic during the early 1970's.  Although he was a licensed amateur during his Coast Guard years Kevin was off the air for 33 years until he re-applied for his license last year.  Kevin said he had no trouble re-establishing his sending and receiving skill and gives credit to his USCG training from decades earlier.  To me his cw fist was spot on and a pleasure to copy. 



Establishing a Bass Line

'99 Fender Precision Bass

While the Great Blizzard of 2011 ran it's course outside I stayed in and generated some low frequency sound waves to keep warm.  When I started "playing" the bass a few years ago I discovered what a great tool it is for picking out chords of songs without tabulature or sheet music.  By playing along to a recording I can flush out the root notes of a song without too much difficulty.  The human ear can differentiate low frequencies much better than higher ones and I think this explains why I don't have near as much luck when trying to guess chords with my six string instruments. 

Last night I unintentionally learned a new song on my bass by the Velvet Underground called "Oh Sweet Nuthin' ".  Slow tempo three chord songs are right up my alley.  To be honest I had never heard this song before but The Black Crowes recently covered it and put on on their DVD "Cabin Fever".  I noticed the simple groove and after a couple run throughs I had a rudimentary base line established and playable either up high or lower on the neck.

Just like pounding out Morse code on a telegraph key the bass guitar requires a steadiness and a precision sense of timing.  That is if you want to sound good at it.  Speaking of telegraph keys, my post about Vibroplex nameplates last month reminded me of this excellent embossed and filled nameplate on the grill of my bass amp.  Here is an example of a well established company that wants to project a "vintage" quality in their product right down to name badge on the front.  The sound quality side of this company's product speaks for itself.  



Vibroplex Nameplates

I have had the photography for this post complete for some time but have been at a loss on how to transfer my thoughts on this subject into text.  For the past 18 years I have made a living in the nameplate business.  Industrial Screen Printing to be specific.  My company supplies nameplates, decals, and graphic overlays to the manufacturing industry.  A peculiar side effect of my vocation is that I am always examining the labeling of goods and equipment that I come in contact with.  I know I probably should not judge a piece of equipment by the quality of it's nameplate but this is just something I do.  A high quality, attractive label, while not essential to the performance of said equipment definitely says a lot to me about the manufacturer's philosophy.

During the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th century the world transitioned from manual labor and draft animal based economies to machine based manufacturing.  As a result of this change a specialized industry was born to address the need of documenting certain information for the many manufactured goods being produced in the world's shops and factories.  The nameplate was a way for a maker to proudly display his moniker and trademark on a good that he produced.  Other pertinent data such as patent and serial numbers could be recorded permanently on a metal plate by various stamping or etching methods.  When I am at a garage sale or an antique shop looking at old appliances or tools I like to admire the nameplates on these products from yesteryear. Unlike today the goods produced in times past were built to last and by nature so was the labeling.

The Vibroplex line of Morse code keys are a great example of a mass produced item that began in the hey-day of the industrial revolution and continues on today.  The bold brass embossed nameplate with the "lightning bug" trademark is instantly recognizable by hams and telegraphy enthusiasts around the world.  In my research which really just amounts to scratching the surface of what is out there concerning this company I have learned some interesting stuff.  According to an article by John Ceccherelli, N2XE that appeared in the January 2003 issue of QST, the brass stamped nameplates were first used by Vibroplex around 1920.  A rectangular black and silver nameplate was used on the earliest semi-automatic keys by Vibroplex.  John also stated that the same shop had been producing the brass nameplates from the original run right up to the time his article was published.  A nameplate production run by one shop spanning nearly a hundred years is simply amazing I believe.

According to the "Vibroplex Collectors' Guide", Second Edition by Tom French, W1IMQ there were 22 different types of  nameplates made for the Vibroplex line from 1905 to present.  The only difference between these types, aside from the early rectangular plates, are additional patent numbers and different addresses as the company was relocated during it's history.  Three "A" series, four "B" series and three "C" series plates made up the rectangular versions between 1905 and 1920.  The nine different "D" series plates made between 1921 to just recently are the familiar embossed brass plate.

Now a completely new style plate has been introduced by Vibroplex for all of the keys previously using the brass plate.  This new design is a very attractive and well made nameplate that I presume is screen printed gold anodized aluminum.  From here I will simply speak my mind, my opinion. That is what blogs are for after all.  I don't like the new plate.  I've spoken to a couple hams who share my opinion and I know we can't be the only ones.  I know change is inevitable and progress marches on but in the case of these legendary instruments and their iconic nameplate I think the change was a poor decision.  As I said the new plate is fine and does not effect the performance of the key whatsoever.  I love my new Iambic paddles but the new plate looks too "modern" especially when sitting in it's spot beside the bug on my operating desk with its old style embossed plate. 

I have no idea of the reasons behind the decision to revise the nameplate.  My industry like most are plagued with ever increasing material costs and tightening environmental standards making some processes too cost prohibitive to be profitable or even possible.  Perhaps the hard tooling used to stamp the plates has finally worn out and it would cost thousands I'm sure to retool for the job.  In any case I would like to see Vibroplex acquire some new old style plates and start a trade in program at the very least.  Owners if they so desired could remove and send back the new style plates to Vibroplex and receive an old style in trade with the same serial number stamped.  I would do this even at my expense.  I would have gladly shouldered a price increase of the key itself if that is what it would take to continue with the embossed brass plates.  I know it's a minuscule issue in the grand scheme of things but as a nameplate guy it just gets under my skin.

The following pictures show the plates on each of my four Vibroplex keys.  The plates are bare brass and I love how the embossed detail has begun to tarnish while the back ground remains brighter.  In other words these plates have loads of character and compliment the hardware they are riveted to in a way that can't be beat.
     

Straight Key -- Type D9 Nameplate

Original bug -- Type D9 Nameplate

Vibrokeyer -- Type D9 Nameplate

Iambic -- (New Knoxville, TN plate)

Here is a photograph of a D3 Nameplate from the  The Vibroplex Collector's Page  Maintained by Randy Cole, KN6W.  Based on the seven patent numbers, the 796 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY address and the serial number it can be determined that the Vibroplex that wore this badge was produced in the years between 1926 and 1939.

This last photograph taken by Bill Crosier, NT9K clearly shows the new style nameplate.

http://www.vibroplex.com/

Vibroplex Iambic Standard

Santa Claus was correct in assuming it was high time for a set of iambic paddles at KD8JHJ.  This Vibroplex Iambic Standard I recently received from Universal Radio in Reynoldsburg, Ohio per Santa's directive.  This handsome key is of the latest production from Vibroplex under the new owner Scott Robbins, W4PA who moved the company to Knoxville, Tennessee earlier this year.  Remember Santa and the elves are very busy this time of year so he delegates gift procurement for us older kids to his trusted subcontractors and retail establishment.

Vibroplex began producing iambic paddles around 1978 after electronic keyers had become all the rage among radio amateurs.  As is the practice of Vibroplex The familiar yoke assembly was carried over from the bug line displaying the lineage of the Vibroplex family tree.  Unlike Vibroplex's Vibrokeyer,  with the iambic I believe the company really nailed the concept of what a dual lever key design should be.  The Vibrokeyer developed a decade earlier is basically a shortened bug key without the spring steel pendulum and the lever has the looser and more sloppy feel characteristic of the bug keys.   The iambic key differs mainly because of it's dual levers and it's symmetrical design.  By nature of it's use as a speed key I believe an iambic paddle must be a very precise mechanism.  The two identical levers each riding solidly on it's own trunnion provide the needed precision to allow for tight clearances of the electrical contacts and a crisp feel at the finger pieces.

The "iambic" title refers to the method of keying also known as "squeeze keying" that developed as electronic keyer circuits were invented and put into use.  I do not use the iambic technique but simple push left with my thumb for dots on one lever and push the other lever with my index finger for dashes.  Very much like when operating my bug key.  For a detailed analysis of iambic keying please read the article "Iambic Keying - Debunking the Myth" by Marshall G. Emm, N1FN who is very knowledgeable in the subject of Morse code and radio telegraphy.

"Iambic Keying - Debunking the Myth"  

My first on the air contact using the new Vibroplex Iambic Paddles  was Rick, W2QJH from Watertown, New York.  We had a great QSO for nearly 45 minutes exchanging our club numbers and general shooting of the breeze.  This was our second contact this year, the first being back in May.             



Vibroplex Straight Key

Vibroplex Standard Straight Key

This key was my main station key for my first couple of years in amateur radio.  A great looking key with crisp yet solid action.  I have logged several hundred radio telegraphy contacts using this fine instrument which is second only in my key collection to the NT9K Pro Pump long lever key.   

The Vibroplex straight key is a unique design based on modified components taken from the semi-automatic key line. It is an interesting fact that the Vibroplex Company did not introduce a straight key until nearly 100 years into it's existence.  This is not surprising as the mainstay Vibroplex keys are semi-automatic or "bug" keys.  Production first began in 1996 and continues today catering solely to the amateur market.   

Vibroplex website:  http://vibroplex.com/

The KD8JHJ Bug Tamer

                                                                                        

After a product development and testing phase that has lasted 6 months I believe I have finally perfected the KD8JHJ Bug Tamer.  The picture above shows the Vibroplex Original semi-automatic key with the standard moveable weight installed on the pendulum arm.  The pendulum is connected to the lever of the key by a piece of flat spring steel.  When the lever is actuated the pendulum begins a back and forth oscillation.  This movement quickly closes and opens the "dot" contact creating a stream of  Morse Code "dots" which continue until the lever is released.  

One of the myriad of adjustments available to the bug operator is the sliding weight.  Moving the mass further away from the spring slows the oscillation of the pendulum arm while positioning the weight closer to the pivot point speeds up the motion.  By nature of it's design the Vibroplex is a speed key.  It works at code speeds starting around 25 or 30 Words Per Minute and depending on the skill of the operator speeds of 40 and even 50 wpm are possible.  By contrast the traditional straight key familiar to most as seen in movies and tv produces speeds ranging from 5 wpm to 20 wpm or a little faster if the operator is highly skilled.  In years past the Vibroplex shipped with a weight half the size of the standard weight shown above.  In the early days a Vibroplex typically cost a telegrapher a couple weeks worth of wages so by the time an operator could afford to upgrade he was already proficient at copying high speed code.  In my case even after one year of using Morse Code my copy speed was not up to even the slowest speeds of the Vibroplex.  Because of my desire to use this key on the air for amateur radio at my comfort level of 18 to 20 wpm I would have to either buy or build a means of slowing the pendulum action of my key.

There are commercially made devices available to slow down the dot stream but I thought this would be a great opportunity to exercise the old ham tradition of  "build it yourself" or homebrewing as it is known.  I studied all the pictures I could find on the internet of different designs both commercial and homebrew.  I settled on a design based on the parts I could find at the local hardware store.  The final revision of the KD8JHJ Bug Tamer is shown below positioned to yield sending of about 20 wpm.

The silver weights are steel shaft collars with a set screw that locks down the collar in place.  I found a piece of brass tubing that fit over the round steel pendulum arm.  The locking collars in turn slide onto the diameter of the brass tube and are held in place by their set screws.  Hidden from view is a short piece of solid brass rod about 5/8" long that fills the empty end of the tube that extends out past the end of the steel pendulum arm.  (The brass rod is positioned under the three weights.)

During the testing phase I experimented with different tube lengths and number of locking collars to add more weight and to get an idea of how the placement of mass affected the performance of the key.  My initial version was set up with all the weights at the end of the tube farthest away from the pivot.  During the course of a QSO the whole assembly would slowly creep outwards letting the mass move furthur and further from the spring, slowing down the characters.  To fix this problem I positioned one of the locking collars at the inside end of the brass tube.  Snugging the set screw prevented the slow creep during use yet remaining loose enough to allow the bug tamer to be moved in and out to adjust the dot speed.

Not only does the position of the mass affect the action of the pendulum but the amount of weight also contributes to the smoothness or lack thereof in the keys operation.  Through my experimentation I was able to get an idea of the parameters of weight and placement of the mass to come up with a design that slowed the action of the key while still providing crisp closing of the electrical contact.  If the mass is too far out past the damper assembly it causes the key to feel "clunky" and makes it more difficult to make accurate transitions between the dashes and dots of the code characters.  In some of my earlier pictures only two weights were positioned at the end of the brass tube and the whole bug tamer would be extended out further.  This did provide crisp feel but the dots seemed softer or "mushy".  Adding another weight and running the bug tamer closer in to the pivot point let the contact close with more authority and seems to produce the nicest sounding dots. 

The Vibroplex is a wonderful mechanism and makes a great test bed for tinkering if one is so inclined.  I believe that this exercise has helped me to better understand the intricate workings of the semi-automatic key.  After 6 months using the key on the air I have become confident in my sending with the bug and have received several compliments on my good bug fist.  I truly believe that in order to be a good bug op one has to have a solid understanding of the mechanics of the bug key.  The only way to gain this understanding is to spend time playing with the various adjustments and observing how these changes interact with the operation of the key.  From time to time I do put the original weight back on and do some practice sending but still find it a bit too fast for accurate sending.  As a rule a ham should send out a call at a speed he or she can easily copy as the op who answers the call will usually do so at the same speed.