How to Properly Adjust and Use a Vibroplex Bug

[JimWB8SIW]

Vibroplex keys are still manufactured and the company web page has a nice chart, which one can use to cross-reference a serial number against date of manufacture. Check "Date Your Vibroplex" on the Vibroplex Company web page. It appears your key was manufactured about 1949. 73, JW

[ThadmanKane]

Nice video, I have a s/n 162210, was it still a circa 1956 or earlier? Is there any way to track down its manufacture date via the serial numbers?

[sharonsscrappyspace]

Excellent! Thanks. I was in the midst of bug-adjustment woes (S/N 193899 ca. 1956). I have used it for forty years, and the "bug gremlins" have somehow recently gotten it all out of adjustment. Thank you for concise, straight-forward, practical instructions!

[mattwithastrat]

Thanks for taking the time to post this video! I'm very new to CW so the bug is out of my league for the most part but I'm using the dash as a straight key until I get faster.

.

[tomandlisadean]

Best tutorial I've seen so far, I've linked to my CW website! Thanks! Tom K7TPD

[JimWB8SIW]

In reference to the viewer (ID "grnzbra") recommendation to set the gaps to 1.5 thousandths; this is too small. I recommend viewers stay with the gap spacing recommended in the video. Thanks! Jim, WB8SIW

[grnzbra]

@JimWB8SIW

Just curious about why such a big gap.

Lind, WA2WMR

[grnzbra]

This is an excellent video for adjustment of the bug. However, I believe that the 15 thousandths gaps are far too big. I feel like I'm slamming the thumbpiece back and forth. I set it back to where I had originally set it and checked the gaps. They turned out to be about 1.5 thousandts.

As I said, it's an excellent video, It is very clear what is being done and how to do it. But I prefer a much smaller contact gap.

[JimWB8SIW]

@grnzbra Hello: Thank you so much for your interest in the video, but I am a bit confused by your post. You are suggesting the 11 to 15 thousandths is a large gap and you are recommending 1.5 thousandths. Are you sure about your measurements? An ordinary piece of 20 lb bond paper is 0.003 to 0.004 inch thick and you are recommending a gap of one half the width of an ordinary piece of paper! This is certainly not recommended.  Viewers should stay with the recommendations in the video

[grnzbra]

@JimWB8SIW

I'm not recommending anything. I set up the bug according to the video with a .015 feeler guage. When I tried it, it felt much too large. So I reduced it 'til it felt "right" and checked it. The .0015 guage just fit. Then I took the electronic keyer in the 756ProIII and adjusted it to about the speed of the dits I was getting and then adjusted the dit contact until the weight of the dit string on the bug matched the weight of the dit string on the electronic keyer.

[grnzbra]

This is an excellent video for adjustment of the bug. However, I believe that the 15 thousandths gaps are far too big. I feel like I'm slamming the thumbpiece back and forth. I set it back to where I had originally set it and checked the gaps. They turned out to be about 1.5 thousandts.

As I said, it's an excellent video, It is very clear what is being done and how to do it. But I prefer a much smaller contact gap.

[ttyradio]

I followed the instructions you gave and am now making progress in practicing with my J-36,just when I was about to give up....Thank you so much

[Ronster3455]

...Amazing ! ...you have turned a one-hour haphazard adjustment in to a precise 5 minute setup...I really like the part of setting the dot contact spacing by just making contact with the dot contact on a floating but static pendulum...I have used the ohm meter technique in the past and keying the dots to about half scale on the ohm meter...but I must admit your technique is waaaaay simpler !!! thanx Ronnie K0XY

[iluvdx60]

THE VIDEO LITTLE UNCLEAR PICTURE WISE. QUESTION? IS THERE TWO PICES OF INSULATING MATL. ON THE ARM BETWEEN THE TWO TRUNIONS?

[LETCA]

Great presentation. You made a fairly complex item easy to understand

[plamek3000]

Excellent guide, thanks!

[wb4tjh]

I have several Vibroplexes and have loved them for the past 40 yearrs, but this if the first time I have actually seen info on how toi set them up. Great segment!. Thanks, WB4TJ H

[w4otn]

Thanks for the video. I've never owned or used a bug and because of that I've always been a little unsure of how they worked. This video not only shed some light into how to use a bug but also setting it up. Great stuff!

[AA8XX2]

I really liked it, but the side tone audio sucked on the dot's hi hi hi hi Thanks again for doing it  73 tom

[JimWB8SIW]

Thanks for the nice comments and question about learning both codes. It's a bit like knowing two different languages and I rarely mix them up. There are many men and women active on the Morse Telegraph Club "land-line" networks (MorseKOB and KB or HN Telegraph Hubs) who use both codes. I agree with your elmer. Become proficient with a standard (straight) key, develop a good sense of rythm and spacing, then learn to use a bug. Have fun and think "CW forever!" 73, Jim, WB8SIW

[toobroke2fight]

WHY would you learn both Int and RR morse code? wont the two get mixed up in your head? I love your vid! You have worked at learning both types of CW and you should be showing off! You have a freat Fist on a bug! My elmer says stay away from a bug until im at 12-15WPM. Im at 20 and have a cravin' for a bug!!!!!!! TU OM --... ...--

[YV5HUJ]

Thanks a lot Jim, great job.

MNY 73 ES GD DX,

Edwin - YV5HUJ

[epituchano]

Excellent job, Jim. I swore off bugs but I might just give one a try someday.

[g0vqw]

Jim, A good demo on how to set up a bug.I couldn't get my head round the American morse.The quick brown fox reads"The fuiiek beieewn reel"When read as international code!

Well don.

Sandy

[gondwanas]

excellent tutorial! thanks.

[ThatMichaelPerry]

Awesome. Thank you for this great video. 73 & gud dx de Ki6H

[ne4tt]

Jim,

Thanks for the informative video.

The MI Net EMCOMM Handbook is an excellent resource.

73 Jamie NE4TT

[talktrail]

I would like to see a video on how to adjust a telegraph sounder properly.

[talktrail]

I would like to see a video on how to adjust a telegraph sounder properly.

[EdK8]

Good video.

If you don't have a 0.015" feeler gauge, you can use a stack of two standard index cards to set the left trunion gap.

[sw55345]

This is the best tutorial I have ever seen on this topic. Well done.

[BunkyOhare]

@sw55345 I so agree, many thanks Jim, superb. The best tutorial. I bought my "original" from a SK sale eight years ago and noticed traces of some blue stuff in each pad. Took me some days before I realised it was Blu-tack. Three, dried pea sized balls make the key rock solid on any surface. A joy to use, the saxaphone of morse keys. 73s MM0RZZ

[only20notes]

Jim, thanks for sharing the adjustment method. Great video!

dit dit dit dah dit dah dit dit