[CW] Grounding on Vibroplex Deluxe Keys

[David J. J. Ring, Jr.]

The above cited problem has been discussed elsewhere, but it bears further discussion since
we have so many talented and knowledgable people and an equal number of newer CW opertors
who have come to the right place to get good information.

I'm going to ask our friend and list member, Frank Geisler, W7IS of Oroville, Washington -- 
I always think of it as Oreoville, but I hear they only eat Hydrox cookies - which have come 
back and are being sold at Walmart now!

Frank and others will hopefully add to the discussion.

Since 1979, various owners of Vibroplex have sought to reduce fabrication costs.

Gone are the many delightful and varied models, the Presentation, the Blue Racer, the 
Lightning Bug, and the Champion models lasted until around 1981 or so when they were 
discontinued by Peter Garsoe of Portland, Maine who bought the Brooklyn based Vibroplex 
company from the previous owners.

One of the most unfortunate cost cutting changes was the elimination of the small diameter 
tinned copper grounding braid between the yoke of the key and the main lever of the key 
which pivots on the trunnion pin. connects to the "ground" terminal of the key which 
connects to the base with a flat head machine screw through the bottom of the base. (If your 
key is keying poorly, check for corrosion between the counter-sunk hole on the base and this 
screw, it's a point often missed when troubleshooting poor sending from this type of key.)

Exactly HOW is ground return provided Without the grounding braid providing between the main 
lever which connects to the mainspring then to the pendulum then to the dot contact spring 
and then to the very important DOT CONTACT which when the pendulum is vibrating contacts 
the contact on the dot contact post and produces dots!

What's the path?

And once you figure out the path, what is wrong with using that type of path?

Is it reliable?  Is it always connected to the ground terminal post?

73

DR