[GreenKeys] Vibroplex "DeLuxe"

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Derek Cohn/WB0TUA" <vibroplex at mindspring.com>
To: <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 9:46 PM
Subject: [GreenKeys] Vibroplex "DeLuxe"


Hi Guys,

This photo is actually a Vibroplex DeLuxe even though it 
looks like an Original:

http://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/nms_1325.jpg

During WW2, Vibroplex did not chrome their bases and used a 
"battleship" gray paint instead of the standard black that 
was used at that time.  What made a key a Deluxe is that the 
bearings were "jeweled".  While you cannot see the bearings 
in this photo, the give away is the copper pig tail that is 
visible just forward of the dash contact.  That pig tail was 
used to make a positive electrical connection between the 
key lever and the frame since the glass "jewels" in the 
bearings did not conduct well or conduct at all.  The other 
hint that this is a Deluxe is the red finger pieces and 
circuit closer knob. However, I have seen many Originals 
over the years where the owner replaced the normally black 
finger pieces with red ones.

Somewhere in my collection is one of these bugs that must be 
New Old Stock.  It has a gold foil tag attached to the key 
that says "Vibroplex DeLuxe" or something like that.  I will 
post a photo if I stumble across the key.  Vibroplex likely 
added that to these keys so the owners knew that the bug was 
a true DeLuxe (due to the jeweled bearings) since the 
painted base could lead them to think they had gotten an 
Original.

Happy to help with any landline telegraph matters....

73,

     Deluxe keys with the jeweled bearings also have a red 
plastic or glass plug in place of the adjusting screw on top 
of the bridge.


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk at ix.netcom.com