[CW] Vibroplex Use on Ships, Coastal Radio Stations & Aircraft

[John]

" I took my Vibroplex Original to sea,* later I took a Curtis EK-430 keyer*
which i modified with a CP CLARE relay HGJM series rated 50VA at 200 volts."

I laid in a small supply of these excellent keyers that I found on Ebay
about 15 yrs ago. They have inputs for mechanical keys as well as paddles
and are perfect for Boatanchor radios, as even with the straight key, it
supplies the operator with sidetone. They also have the appropriate output
for keying many boatanchor radios.

Thanks for the excellent post and pictures David, they're fascinating.

John K5MO

On Thu, Mar 10, 2022 at 5:06 AM Chris, G5VZ <chris at g5vz.co.uk> wrote:

> On 10/03/2022 03:47, David J. J. Ring, Jr. wrote:
>
> It was the USA radiotelegraphers operators who popularized using a
> Vibroplex.  The UK General Post Office who ran the coast stations of
> Ireland and the United Kingdom, actually prohibited all "speed keys" but
> around the 1970s these regulations were relaxed and I'd hear keyers and
> semi-automatic keys on from the UK commercial stations.
>
> David,
>
> As so often is the case with your posts, this one is absolutely
> fascinating and doubly so because there are so many first-hand memories.
> Thanks you for sharing.
>
> Although I have used - and now own - Marconi keys, I've found the German
> Junkers excellent and - after working the Junkers anniversary Special Event
> Station last year - I bought another in very fine condition.
>
> I only came to use a bug during 2021 when I bought a Vibroplex Lightning
> Jewel Deluxe and later, a Vibroplex Lightning from the early 1950s which
> seems easier (Or more natural) to use than the newer, shiny chrome Jewel!
>
> But, please tell me, David, what was a mechanical bug key like to use
> onboard ship?  I have all kinds of ideas about how the mechanism, not to
> mention the sending, would be affected by a big swell.  How do the perform
> on a rolling ship in rough seas?
>
> Thanks and 73
>
> Chris
>
>
>
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> =30=
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