[CW] This is a Vibroplex ??

[N2EY@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/14/03 11:00:31 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
pjs123@attglobal.net writes:

> Well, well, contrary to the hammer analogy; this "thing" has (what looks
>  like) a genuine Vibroplex base; and I really don't know what's inside the
>  case of that "keyer"--and you may very well find the components of a
>  semi-automatic "bug" encased in there.

>From what I can see in the pix, it's just an MFJ keyer mounted on a Vibroplex 
base. 

I have a Champion, and the parts won't fit in that little box. Plus you have 
to be able to adjust them.

>  Can there exist something as a
>  "semiautomatic keyer" (aka "manual keyer?) 

"Semiautomatic" means it makes dits but not dahs. "automatic" or "fully 
automatic" makes dits and dahs.

>  Could a patent application be on
>  record for such a self-contradiction in the rich history of Morse Code
>  operation in the past Century?. 

There were some mechanical fully automatic keyers made at the dawn of the bug 
era. Tough to adjust and not worth all the cost and complexity, according to 
the folks of the era. Plus a fully automatic key can't be used to send 
American Morse code. 

>  Well, if there exists such a thing , and if
>  a "bug" of some sort is hidden inside that case, then you may be seeing a
>  "Vibroplex keyer" indeed--although I wouldn't understand why you would need
>  any such "keyer" at all (unless the "clank clank", abundant play side play
>  and "aerobic" calory-consumming motions of bug operations are somehow
>  alleviated by a miniscule protrusion that comes out of that "keyer"'s box.
>  Theories about this mysterious apparatus are bound to be endless if you
>  want, hi hi... Oh my....!  This e-Bay offering is funny indeed; let's see
>  how many e-Bayers place a bid!   =;-)
>  
Hopefully, nobody is deceived.

73 de Jim, N2EY