[Elecraft] Vibroplex - seen on ABC Pan Am (OT)

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I am not saying that "sloppy" code is desirable. There's a huge difference
between "sloppy" and hand vs. machine code, just as there is between someone
who mumbles badly and someone who speaks normally, albeit perhaps with a
regional accent. I also agree with your frustration over too-fast dits.
There's no real justification for it. 

Just like machine-generated music and that created by human musicians, the
latter depends upon the experience and skill of the person. I try not to be
too judgmental, especially of those working to improve their skill. That's
what some of us enjoy most about Ham radio. 

One cause of fast dits is that many Vibroplex bugs require extreme measures
to slow them down below 30 WPM. It's not that a bug cannot be run slower -
my Speed-X and Vibroplex both work well even below 15 wpm - but for several
years Vibroplex used a different, thicker pendulum spring and the standard
weights are simply not heavy enough. It seems that many Hams acquiring those
keys thought that a "machine gun" dit rate was "Normal" for a bug.
Absolutely not so! 

My Vibroplex came from the widow of an old friend who was a commercial
operator. It was one of the thick-spring variety, but my buddy, Les, sent
great code with it. He did it by replacing the Vibroplex weights with a
cable clamp! Here's Les at work at KPH using that Vibroplex sometime in the
1970's:

http://www.radiomarine.org/idbfiles/0000/0093/HIST-RS-OP-4.jpg

Notice the cable clamp, oriented with the threaded ends of the U-section
pointing upward, on the pendulum. I have the same clamp on it, and it works
beautifully if one doesn't mind the very heavy feel. 

Also, Vibroplex bugs require some fiddling to change the weight for a
different dit speed, often using two weights each with thumb screws to
loosen and tighten. That's why my Johnson version of the Logan Speed-X bug
is my favorite. It has a simple weight adjustment that allows me to set the
proper dit rate instantly with a simple squeeze of my thumb and fingers. And
it doesn't need a cable clamp, Hi! 

73,

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----

It sounds like everyone is saying sending sloppy code is desirable.  How 
odd;  I always thought hams took pride in their sending.  Well formed, 
well spaced characters are much easier to copy.  I find nothing quaint 
or charming about sending dits at 30wpm and dahs at 10 wpm, which is 
typical of what I hear.  Either slow down the dits or speed up the 
manually sent dahs.  I know there are limits on how slow you can send 
dits with a bug, but if you can't slow it down enough then consider 
using another instrument for sending code or resign yourself to the fact 
that VE3HLS will never answer your CQ (that should be pretty easy to 
live with)! :-)

daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah  daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah dididit     dididit 
daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah  daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! :-)

Ken,
VE3HLS