[CW] Grounding on Vibroplex Deluxe Keys

[Joseph L. Pontek Sr.]

The pendulum return spring provides a return ground. If the junction of that
spring's tension screw gets dirty or the that post that goes through the bar
gets dirty, either, it loses the good ground path.

I have used de-soldering wick braid after using flux remover for the braid.
It is not tinned nor is the original braid. The non-bar end without a spade
just put under the yoke base. There is no way to run that braid through the
base. I just looked at one of mine I have here and the braid is not tinned,
just copper and quite long, thus very flexible.

If I remember correctly, the pan head screw was a #3, I do not remember
thread number. I had acquired the tape & die set, but they are in Belize
and I think I bought some screws, as well.

73, Joe, K8JP/K5

On 1/10/2022 11:09 PM, David J. J. Ring, Jr. wrote:
> 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

-- 
Regards, Joe, K8JP/V31JP, Ronnie, Martin & Sidney Pontek
175 Diamond Loch Rd., Apt. 5
Gilmer, TX 75644-9374
U.S.A.
903-204-2318 (My TX cellular)

Member FOC-1743 Feb 2001, QCWA-LM21894, OOTC-4607, A1OP, CFO 1055, SKCC-3171T, NAQCC-5798, Flying Pig-2819, FISTS-7625CC951, A1C-2299, SOC 1075, 10-10 22977, PG1915841, CW Rag chewers #21,
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