My grandfather invented the Lightning Bug. I never thought to find TH-cam videos and I am amazed by how many enthusiast are out there. I'm curious to hear from others about their take on the role the Lightning Bug had on communication.
@@RadioPrepper I think so. I was told that his model was used by the allies during WWII based on the reliability and ease of manufacturer. My grandfather passed before I was born so I never met him but makes me proud he had such influence.
What was his name? I have a Lightning Bug from around the 1930s. I have heard the dot spring adjustment referred to as the Lahoff? Adjustment. Pivots up and down. Not sure how that is spelled.
@@techguy9023 John LaHiff. I can’t claim to be an enthusiast and still don’t know much about but interesting to hear that one of his parts is referred by his name. Years ago I tracked down a No. 6 which was gifted to me by a collector. Special to have.
When I became a ham almost 60 years ago, my very first telegraph key was a Vibroplex Champion model bug. I loved it, and I’ve been using bugs ever since. They are my favorite instruments for making code As a novice with limited CW skills way back then, I slowed down my Champion key by simply placing a 3/8 washer over the tightening screw of the weight. It does a great job and is barely noticeable.
To prevent common mode you would place both wires through the same hole of a ferrite. What you have done is create series inductance in your circuit. That might create more stress on the contacts.
We were camping out at a Georgia state park and my wife drug me out on a rainy day to go thrifting with her. I was waiting on her and this big piece of chrome caught my eye in the bottom of the locked cabinet at the checkout. A 1952 Vibro Jeweled. It was in 2 pieces so I offered $50. They took it. Got it fixed up and absolutely love it.
As a radioman in the US Navy in the 60's , we just called that instrument a "speed key". Only problem, I could send faster with it than I could recieve.
Love my Champion. Have to get a new dit spring and contact but other than that it still works great. Bought it around '76. It is a bit fast but a bit of weight on the end works to slow it down.
I have a Vibroplex Zephyr bug key from a friend who is now a Silent Key. The Zephyr is a lot like the Champion, but has a lever to close the connection for old-style telegraph work. I too am determined to learn to use it properly. And I've learned that it's not that easy to do it right. BTW, there are people who have adjusted their keys to send dits for several seconds at a time.
MukYJ Nice to hear you want to learn morse code. I recommend that you first learn to receive 12 wpm without errors. Then start learning sending with a very good straight key. (Before considering a bug key. Additionally It is very important to get it properly adjusted.)
It's a challenge to use one, great stuff. The speed weight is hitting the bounce wheel and will work better when it just clears it. Have fun, I enjoy watching your videos.
Super cool. When I started to learn morse code I started with a keyer because my sense of rhythm is so bad I thought that at least the length of dis and dahs would be good. Now I am starting to try and learn a strait key and it is just like you learning the bug - awkward but it will get better. I think I might try a bug, but I find them very difficult to decode on the air so I am not sure I want to be just as undecodable as what I’ve heard. All the best, Charlie KM4ZZ
Very nice key Gil =) I would find my lefty hand a problem =) I turn my electronic ( old Ten Tec electronic ) keyer upside down and put rubber feet on the top of the case :-))) Looks funny but work for me and if someone else uses it they turn it right side up =)
Putting ferrites at the bug end won't do anything. Putting them at the rig end will help keep RF out of the rig. Putting them at the bug (or straight key) end still leaves the length of wire to act as an antenna to let RF into the rig. I've never had the pleasure of trying a bug. I may have to hit ebay and get one just for kicks :) I enjoy your videos!
Thanks. When RF comes from the radio's chassis it helps with the needles in the fingers sensation when you transmit and touch the metal at the same time..
@@RadioPrepper ah! a hot chassis!!! I would not have expected it to help that much - hmm!! I assumed you were guarding the radio, not your fingers - lol! But - better thing, I think, to do is put chokes on the coax cable to cut the common mode RF. I have my coax wound through several toroids as a common mode choke. Your chassis should not be RF hot, of course. I had one setup so problematic that it caused the radio to reboot!. The toroids fixed that.
Got a different Vibro model a couple of years ago. Love it! But yeah, takes a bit of getting used to and easy to slip up when it wants to go faster than you. But I enjoy it. After you get those rubber feet, figure out those adjustments and get it just the way you want it, it's great. What do you have for when you're on the go? Seems like there's always something new that someone has created when it comes to portable keys.
Well Gil, I just got a McElroy Bug and know how the fight to learn goes. Too spoiled with the automatic keys I would say. Still doing lots of practice here, hope to hear you on the bands one day. 73, Ron - N7RD
You are not, Gil, for the first time out! Your fist has what they call a "swing". Also, while they might look unsightly, split lead fishing weights can be used to slow down the speed. de k6whp dit dit
Thanks, very instructive. I want to get one, as well. But, looking at the price of a new one... I'd like to get one used, too. Listening to you try to use it reminds me of when I first started using a iambic paddle. I sounded about the same!!! I suspect I'll have a learning curve with it when I get one, too. DE K7RLN
My grandfather invented the Lightning Bug. I never thought to find TH-cam videos and I am amazed by how many enthusiast are out there. I'm curious to hear from others about their take on the role the Lightning Bug had on communication.
Cool 😎
@@RadioPrepper I think so. I was told that his model was used by the allies during WWII based on the reliability and ease of manufacturer. My grandfather passed before I was born so I never met him but makes me proud he had such influence.
Great, thanks for sharing 😀
What was his name? I have a Lightning Bug from around the 1930s. I have heard the dot spring adjustment referred to as the Lahoff? Adjustment. Pivots up and down. Not sure how that is spelled.
@@techguy9023 John LaHiff. I can’t claim to be an enthusiast and still don’t know much about but interesting to hear that one of his parts is referred by his name. Years ago I tracked down a No. 6 which was gifted to me by a collector. Special to have.
When I became a ham almost 60 years ago, my very first telegraph key was a Vibroplex Champion model bug. I loved it, and I’ve been using bugs ever since. They are my favorite instruments for making code As a novice with limited CW skills way back then, I slowed down my Champion key by simply placing a 3/8 washer over the tightening screw of the weight. It does a great job and is barely noticeable.
To prevent common mode you would place both wires through the same hole of a ferrite. What you have done is create series inductance in your circuit. That might create more stress on the contacts.
We were camping out at a Georgia state park and my wife drug me out on a rainy day to go thrifting with her. I was waiting on her and this big piece of chrome caught my eye in the bottom of the locked cabinet at the checkout. A 1952 Vibro Jeweled. It was in 2 pieces so I offered $50. They took it. Got it fixed up and absolutely love it.
As a radioman in the US Navy in the 60's , we just called that instrument a "speed key". Only problem, I could send faster with it than I could recieve.
Love my Champion. Have to get a new dit spring and contact but other than that it still works great. Bought it around '76. It is a bit fast but a bit of weight on the end works to slow it down.
I bought a small package of corrugated panel screws at the Home Depot to replace the rubber feet of my straight
Key... they worked great...!
I have a bug that is nearly identical. It was made by Lionel ( the toy train people ) during WWII.
I have a Vibroplex Zephyr bug key from a friend who is now a Silent Key. The Zephyr is a lot like the Champion, but has a lever to close the connection for old-style telegraph work.
I too am determined to learn to use it properly. And I've learned that it's not that easy to do it right. BTW, there are people who have adjusted their keys to send dits for several seconds at a time.
Not easy indeed, I should use mine more...
Very nice. I've got that same key with a different finger piece. 🙂
I’ve got that same bug. I’m still learning CW though so it might be a while before it gets seriously used. 👍
MukYJ Nice to hear you want to learn morse code. I recommend that you first learn to receive 12 wpm without errors. Then start learning sending with a very good straight key. (Before considering a bug key. Additionally It is very important to get it properly adjusted.)
It's a challenge to use one, great stuff. The speed weight is hitting the bounce wheel and will work better when it just clears it.
Have fun, I enjoy watching your videos.
Thanks!
J'adore ces manipulateurs, ils sont supers, beaucoup plus de sensations que les clés iambic...
Super cool. When I started to learn morse code I started with a keyer because my sense of rhythm is so bad I thought that at least the length of dis and dahs would be good. Now I am starting to try and learn a strait key and it is just like you learning the bug - awkward but it will get better. I think I might try a bug, but I find them very difficult to decode on the air so I am not sure I want to be just as undecodable as what I’ve heard. All the best, Charlie KM4ZZ
+crbrelativity Yep, I think starting with a keyer gives good timing and is the best way to go.
+goinghomesomeday1 I keep practicing!
Very nice key Gil =) I would find my lefty hand a problem =) I turn my electronic ( old Ten Tec electronic ) keyer upside down and put rubber feet on the top of the case :-))) Looks funny but work for me and if someone else uses it they turn it right side up =)
+Pat Hopkins LOL
Putting ferrites at the bug end won't do anything. Putting them at the rig end will help keep RF out of the rig. Putting them at the bug (or straight key) end still leaves the length of wire to act as an antenna to let RF into the rig. I've never had the pleasure of trying a bug. I may have to hit ebay and get one just for kicks :) I enjoy your videos!
Thanks. When RF comes from the radio's chassis it helps with the needles in the fingers sensation when you transmit and touch the metal at the same time..
@@RadioPrepper ah! a hot chassis!!! I would not have expected it to help that much - hmm!! I assumed you were guarding the radio, not your fingers - lol! But - better thing, I think, to do is put chokes on the coax cable to cut the common mode RF. I have my coax wound through several toroids as a common mode choke. Your chassis should not be RF hot, of course. I had one setup so problematic that it caused the radio to reboot!. The toroids fixed that.
Right. I am not sure how much it helps... I had them so...
...and both wires should go through the same ferrite bead hole!
Are you still using it 5 years later? I bought mine in a thrift shop about 10 years ago, and just started using it about this time last year.
Rarely.. It just isn't so easy to use, but I should get back to it..
@@RadioPrepper it takes a couple of months to get used to it.
Très bel objet !
73's E.
Got a different Vibro model a couple of years ago. Love it! But yeah, takes a bit of getting used to and easy to slip up when it wants to go faster than you. But I enjoy it. After you get those rubber feet, figure out those adjustments and get it just the way you want it, it's great. What do you have for when you're on the go? Seems like there's always something new that someone has created when it comes to portable keys.
+Larry Leach On the go I have homemade paddles, but I need a tiny straight key...
I treated my self last year to a 1957 racer ... its the same age as me so I couldn't resist ... its better at CW than I am though .🤣
Right! I need to practice with mine more :-)
Well Gil, I just got a McElroy Bug and know how the fight to learn goes. Too spoiled with the automatic keys I would say. Still doing lots of practice here, hope to hear you on the bands one day.
73, Ron - N7RD
That would be great :-)
Ваш почерк мне не понравился. В России не многие работали на виброплексе. Больше на пиле. Позднее, с 70-х на электронных ключах
You are not, Gil, for the first time out! Your fist has what they call a "swing". Also, while they might look unsightly, split lead fishing weights can be used to slow down the speed.
de k6whp
dit dit
Thanks, still practicing!
Bugs are insects...
Vai ser ruim!! Vibroplex não é para qualquer um...
Thanks, very instructive. I want to get one, as well. But, looking at the price of a new one... I'd like to get one used, too. Listening to you try to use it reminds me of when I first started using a iambic paddle. I sounded about the same!!! I suspect I'll have a learning curve with it when I get one, too. DE K7RLN
I think it is harder than iambic...
Hey quite bugging me gill kg6mn
How does it work without any transistor? Definitely inventor sold his soul to the devil for this thing.)))
+dexter stockmann Nothing magic, just a flat spring...